Paramedic Science

Accreditation

The CCM Paramedic Science Program was issued a Letter of Review by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). This letter is NOT a CAAHEP accreditation status, it is a status signifying that a program seeking initial accreditation has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the accreditation standards through the Letter of Review Self Study Report (LSSR) and other documentation. Letter of Review is recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for eligibility to take the NREMT’s Paramedic credentialing examination(s). However, it is NOT a guarantee of eventual accreditation.

To contact CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
Fax: 214-703-8992
www.coaemsp.org

Paramedic Professional Phase Requirements

CCM’s Paramedic Science Program utilizes a selective admissions process which requires a separate Professional Phase Application and admission from the College’s general application and admissions process. An additional fee is assessed for the Paramedic Science Program Application. Upon successful completion of the admissions process, students will receive conditional acceptance to the program pending drug screening, health clearance, and criminal background clearance. Students must also provide a current driver’s abstract upon conditional acceptance.

Annual Mandatory Criminal History Background Check

All students in the professional phase will be required to submit to a Criminal History Background Check as mandated by the Joint Commission and NJ OEMS.  These Criminal History Background Checks will occur on an annual basis.  If the background check yields a positive result, admission into the professional phase of the program may be denied.  Additional clearance is needed from NJ OEMS who holds the final say on admission.  If at any time after acceptance into the professional phase of the program a student has a positive criminal history background check, it may result in dismissal from the program.

Health Requirements

All students enrolled in clinical and field courses must fulfill the College health requirements.  In addition, students must undergo drug testing as part of their health clearance.  This is at an additional cost to the student.

Malpractice Insurance

All students enrolled in clinical and field courses are required to have malpractice insurance.  This is purchased by the student and is an additional cost.

CPR & EMT Certifications

All students enrolled in the professional phase must maintain current American Heart Association BLS certification and NJ EMT certification.

Uniforms

All students are required to wear the school uniform in didactic, clinical, and field settings.  These are purchased by the student and are an additional cost.

Additional Costs

Additional costs beyond tuition and course fees are associated with the Paramedic Science Program.  This includes, but is not limited to, textbook fees and related software products, certifications as required, uniforms, and professional liability insurance.  Travel, at the student’s expense, is required to affiliate sites.

Paramedic Science Program students are required to have access to a laptop and/or tablet computer for the duration of the program.

Technical Standards

Technical Standards as outlined in the Paramedic Science Program Student Handbook must be met.  Aptitudes required for work of this nature are good physical stamina, endurance, and body condition that would not be adversely affected by frequently having to walk, stand, lift, carry, and balance at times, in excess of 125 pounds. Motor coordination is necessary because over uneven terrain, the patient’s, the Paramedic’s, and other workers’ well-being must not be jeopardized.  Student wellness will be incorporated into the curriculum.

In accordance with the policies underlying Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the ADA Amended Acts (ADAA) of 2008 and County College of Morris policy, no qualified individual with a disability shall, solely based on that disability, be excluded from participation to County College of Morris programs or activities.

Upon admission, a candidate who discloses a disability may be asked to provide documentation of that disability. The Paramedic Science Program at the County College of Morris will provide reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a disability through support of the Office of Accessibility Services. County College of Morris is not required to provide academic adjustments that would lower academic standards, fundamentally alter the nature of the program or impose an undue burden on the College. Students can provide appropriate documentation to the Office of Accessibility Services directly to qualify for reasonable accommodations. Students should contact the Office of Accessibility Services at 973-328-5284 or aso@ccm.edu. Students should not submit documentation to any other program administrator for review. Reasonable accommodations for the academic environment and the clinical environment are administered through two separate and distinct processes in collaboration with the Office of Accessibility Services, the Paramedic Program, and the individual student.

Paramedic Study Tracks

Pre-Professional (Non-Clinical) Phase

The pre-professional phase is for students who are currently not enrolled or eligible for admission into the professional (didactic/clinical) phase. Students in this phase may complete the general education and science courses required for the Paramedic Science major.  Students may study full or part-time and, in the day, or evening.  Summer courses are also available.  Admission into the professional phase is not guaranteed once pre-professional course work is completed.

Students declaring Paramedic Science as a major need to be aware of the New Jersey Administrative Code 8:41A, which lists the following requirements for enrollment in a Paramedic Training Program:

1. Attainment of the age of 18 by the first day of the program (defined as PAR 120);
2. Possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent;
3. Possession of EMT-Basic and CPR certifications. The student shall maintain EMT-Basic and CPR certifications throughout the duration of the EMT-Paramedic training program and until such time as he or she is either certified as an EMT-Paramedic or terminated from the EMT-Paramedic training program. The student’s EMT-Basic and CPR certification cards shall be made available to Department staff upon demand;
4. Physical capability to perform all required skills and tasks of an EMT-Paramedic student as cited in the clinical and didactic portions of the program curriculum; and
5. Application, for and receipt of, sponsorship from a mobile intensive care hospital for the clinical portion of an EMT-Paramedic training program. SPONSORSHIP REQUIREMENT WAIVED BY NJ DOH OEMS FOR CCM PARAMEDIC SCIENCE STUDENTS.

Note: Anatomy & Physiology II is a mandatory co-requisite for Paramedic Science I (PAR 120), meaning students must take the courses concurrently if the requirement has not already been completed.  All general education courses must be completed prior to entering PAR235.

Professional (Didactic & Clinical) Phase

Download the application here

The professional phase includes the Paramedic Science technical and clinical courses.  Students must file a Paramedic Science Professional Phase Application which is available online to be considered for acceptance into this phase.   A separate and distinct professional phase application must be completed for admission into the professional phase of the program and the process is competitive.  Additionally, students must be accepted for admission to the College.

No paramedic courses are eligible for transfer to CCM.

The program maintains a strict attendance policy.  Didactic courses will meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week.  During the clinical and field internships, the program requires a minimum of 24 hours per week in the clinical/field site, plus study and travel time.

The program requires a time commitment of assigned scheduled class meetings plus a minimum of 15 hours of studying per week, and travel time.  Attendance at class and studying outside of class are imperative for successful completion of this program.  Studying time may vary between students and material being taught.  This program requires an independent student who has effective time management skills and maintains motivation for the next 24 months.

A selective admissions process will be utilized.  Please refer to the Program’s Professional Phase Application for additional information.

Advanced Placement

All applicants to the A.A.S. Degree Paramedic Science Program—Advanced Placement are required to complete the Advanced Placement Application and submit the required documentation as part of the admissions process.  Students must complete the program sequence at County College of Morris.

The advanced placement sequence is only available to students with current New Jersey Paramedic Certification.  The program sequence must be followed.  General education requirements are prerequisites to PAR 230 and PAR 235 and must be completed at CCM.  Admission is conditional pending clinical clearance requirements being met.

Required Documentation

• College transcripts showing paramedic coursework
  • An unofficial transcript may be included with the application. Official transcripts must be submitted to CCM Registrar in accordance with CCM policy.
• NJ Paramedic Certification (must remain current while enrolled)
• ACLS, PALS, PHTLS certifications (must remain current while enrolled)
• Completion of ICS 100 and ICS 200 within the last 6 months
• Completion of NIMS 700 within the last 6 months
• Proof of annual clinical competency completion (must remain current while enrolled)
• Clinical clearance requirements as outlined.
• Admission is conditional pending clinical clearance. Professional Liability Insurance is required.

Transfer Agreements

The Paramedic Science Program holds program specific affiliation agreements with Caldwell University and Saint Elizabeth’s University.  Students should consult the Transfer Office about additional transfer opportunities.

Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paramedic Science Program with an overall GPA of 2.5 are guaranteed admission into the Caldwell University B.S. Healthcare Administration Program.  Students interested in pursuing the Caldwell University B.S. Healthcare Administration Program are strongly advised to complete MAT 124 Statistics as part of the A.A.S. Paramedic Science Degree Program.

Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paramedic Science Program will be able to transfer up to 90 credits toward the Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science at Saint Elizabeth University.  Students coming through this articulation process who complete the SEU BS in HS will be guaranteed an interview if they apply to the SEU MS in the Physician Assistant program. SEU will hold two spaces in the SEU PA program for students who have completed the CCM Paramedics degree and an SEU Bachelor’s Degree.

EMT Program Information

County College of Morris does not offer the required initial EMT education for NJ EMT certification. This certification is a requirement for the Professional Phase of the Paramedic Program. There are many local opportunities to obtain this training. Students holding out-of-state EMT certifications must file for reciprocity with NJ OEMS to obtain a NJ EMT certification.

Program Goals

1. To prepare competent entry-level Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains, with or without exit points at the Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate, and/or Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, and/or First Responder levels.

2. Contribute to the workforce needs of the community by enhancing the delivery of health care in the out-of-hospital setting by providing competent entry level paramedics.

Scholarships

Several scholarship programs exist within the paramedic program for tuition aid. Please contact the Paramedic Program Director for details. Additional scholarship and/or aid questions should be directed to the Financial Aid office.

Program Outcomes