Paramedic
The goal of the Paramedic program is to prepare competent entry-level paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels. Paramedics, working under the direction of a physician (often through radio communication), recognize, assess and manage medical emergencies of acutely ill or injured patients in pre-hospital and emergency care settings. Paramedics work primarily in advanced life-support units and ambulance services under medical supervision and direction. Some Paramedics are employed by community fire deparmentsand/or police departments, hospitals, private companies, or as community volunteers.
While working closely with other highly trained professionals, paramedics expedite quality emergency care to critically ill and injured patients. Paramedic training includes classroom instruction, clinical instruction and field training. The Northeast Iowa Community College Paramedic program meets all requirements as outlined in the United States NHTSA's Office of EMS and the National EMS Education Standards and Paramedic Instructional Guidelines.
Paying for the Program
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees: $10,656 - 14,028*
Program Supplies: $1760
Career Outlook
Estimated annual salary range for Health Sciences graduates based on EMSI. Salary range represents 10th percentile - median annual wage for related occupations within a 100-mile radius from the center distance between Calmar and Peosta Campuses.
Potential Careers
- Paramedic
- Paramedic Supervisor
- Director of Operations of Paramedic Services
- Apply for admission.
- Submit official high school, high school equivalency and/or college transcripts to the Admissions Office of the campus you plan to attend.
- Complete ACCUPLACER® reading and writing assessment and ALEKS® math assessment for course placement. Assessments may be waived based on previous college coursework or submission of valid ACT®, ACT Compass® or ALEKS® test scores. ACCUPLACER® scores are valid for three years, and ALEKS® scores are valid for 18 months.
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to the College enrollment process outlined, applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent and have a current State of Iowa EMT certification and achieve a minimum ACCUPLACER® reading score of 70. ACT® or ACT Compass® scores are also acceptable.
The health sciences programs have additional admission requirements including background checks, health records and training requirements. Please review these requirements for program admission.
Diploma
2019-2020 Paramedic Diploma Class Schedule
Fall
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO:158 | Basic Anatomy and Physiology | 2.0 |
| BIO:160 | Basic Anatomy and Physiology Lab | 1.0 |
| EMS:270 | Paramedic Level I | 12.0 |
| SDV:179 | The College Experience | 3.0 |
Spring
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EMS:664 | Paramedic Level II | 15.0 |
Summer
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EMS:622 | Paramedic Level III | 12.0 |
| * | Communication Elective | 3.0 |
To graduate from this program, students must complete all required coursework with a "C-" grade or above and earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average.
Electives
Communication Electives: ENG:105, ENG:106, SPC:112
Associate of Applied Science
2019-2020 Paramedic AAS Class Schedule
Fall
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO:158 | Basic Anatomy and Physiology | 2.0 |
| BIO:160 | Basic Anatomy and Physiology Lab | 1.0 |
| EMS:270 | Paramedic Level I | 12.0 |
| SDV:179 | The College Experience | 3.0 |
Spring
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EMS:664 | Paramedic Level II | 15.0 |
| ENG:105 | Composition I | 3.0 |
Summer
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EMS:622 | Paramedic Level III | 12.0 |
| SPC:112 | Public Speaking | 3.0 |
Fall
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO:157 | Human Biology | 4.0 |
| PSY:111 | Intro to Psychology OR | 3.0 |
| PSY:112 | Psychology of Human Relations | 3.0 |
| * | General Education Electives | 6.0 |
To graduate from this program, students must complete all required coursework with a "C-" grade or above and earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average.
Electives
General Education Electives: Transfer-level ART, ASL, BIO, CHM, CLS, COM, DRA, ECN, ENG, ENV, FLS, GEO, HIS, HUM, LIT, MAT, MUS, PHI, PHS, POL, PSY, REL, SOC, SPC
The NICC Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs can be contacted at:
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727.210.2350
The Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions can be contacted at:
8301 Lakeview Parkway
Suite #111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214.703.8445
NREMT Results
| Graduation Year | Cohort Attrition | NREMT Psychomotor Exam 1st Attempt Successful Outcome | NREMT Psychomotor Exam Total Successful Outcome | NREMT Written Exam 1st Attempt Successful Outcome | NREMT Written Exam Total Successful Outcome | Positive Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 50% | 91% | 100% | 83% | 91% | 100% |
| 2016 | 26% | 100% | 100% | 93% | 100% | 100% |
| 2015 | 22% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Gainful Employment Information
View gainful employment information for this program.
Iowa Emergency Medical Services Association
Students will have the opportunity to become student members of the Iowa Emergency Medical Services Association.
Simulation Labs
Paramedic students have the opportunity to utilize the College's Health Simulation Laboratories at the Peosta campus for hands-on learning experiences.
Program Progression
Students must successfully complete coursework with a C or above in order to proceed in the program. Students must have a current EMT or AEMT certification to enter into the Paramedic program. Students enrolled in the paramedic program must successfully complete Paramedic I to advance to Paramedic II and must successfully complete Paramedic II to advance to Paramedic III. If a student fails either Paramedic I, Paramedic II or Paramedic III, the student is required to repeat the program starting with Paramedic I.
Paramedic Required Hours
| Classroom | Lab | Clinical/Field | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paramedic I | 132 | 64 | 84 |
| Paramedic II | 108 | 104 | 240 |
| Paramedic III | 68 | 64 | 276 |
The Paramedic program maintains formal transfer agreements with the institutions listed below. Students are encouraged to speak with their transfer college or university to verify that their planned courses at NICC will meet necessary requirements. Learn more about transferring from NICC.
Sam Janecke
EMS Program Director
- Email: janeckes@nicc.edu
- Phone: 800.728.7367, ext. 186
- Location: Peosta
Sandy Neyen
Paramedic Clinical Coordinator
- Email: neyens@nicc.edu
- Location: Peosta