Emergency Medical Sciences Paramedic

Fall Entry

Paramedics are advanced-level providers of emergency care who are trained to care for patients in the field and while transporting patients to the hospital. They manage many emergencies including cardiac, respiratory, and trauma events. Paramedics conduct more extensive patient care than EMTs. They are licensed to administer medication, perform and interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal intubations, and use other complex biomedical equipment.

This program is designed to prepare qualified* Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) to become professional healthcare providers at the Paramedic level. Paramedic students successfully completing the program are eligible to sit for the National Registry Examination for Paramedic.

The curriculum meets the requirements of local, state, and national accrediting agencies. The program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Committee on Accreditation for the EMS professions (CoAEMSP) 8301 Lakeview Pkwy, Suite 111-312 Rowlett, Texas 75088.

*for those students who are interested in the Paramedic program but are not yet qualified at the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) level, please contact your campus counselors or the Paramedic Program Director for advisement on how to qualify and enroll in the EMT course; EMS 1117  .

 Program Goals

Operation of the EMS Paramedic Training Program is centered on two identified goals:

1. 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.
2. To meet the employment needs of the health care community in the MGCCC district and surrounding areas for paramedics.

To accomplish these goals, MGCCC provides the didactic, clinical, and field internship experience for qualified EMS Paramedic students to achieve national and state certification as an EMS Paramedic and perform to the expectations of the local health care system for entry-level paramedics.

Admission Procedure

1. Make application and be accepted to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Application can be completed online.
2. Submit copies of official transcripts of all schools attended to the Office of Admissions. All transcripts must be reviewed by the Office of Admission for determination of course credits.
3. Meet all Academic Requirements and complete any program pre-requisites or Entry Requirements.
4. After successful completion and submission of ALL academic and entry requirements (See section below), the student is eligible to complete the EMS Paramedic Supplemental Application for Program Admission. 

Supplemental Application Deadline Dates:
                      
Fall semester - July 1
                                                                
(If deadline falls on a weekend, holiday, or closing, the deadline is 5 p.m. on the next college business day). ALL required test scores, transcripts, and entry items (CBC, Pre-School of Nursing and Health Professions Orientation Session, etc.) must be completed with results placed in Banner (MGCCC’s computer information system) by the appropriate college employee prior to the deadline. In addition, any outstanding college holds must be clear in order for the applicant to complete and submit the supplemental program application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  (MGCCC reserves the right to review additional supplemental applications following the posted deadline).

Academic and Entry Requirements

• Achieve a minimum Accuplacer English Placement score (Traditional Exam = 175; Next Generation Exam = 502) -or- Successfully pass ENG 1113 English Composition I  , with a “C” or higher
• Complete prerequisite course BIO 2514 Anatomy and Physiology I (LEC/LAB)  
• Must be a National registered EMT; students must obtain state EMT certification after admission into the program if not held previously.
• Review the online mandatory Pre-School of Nursing and Health Professions Orientation Session prior to completing the supplemental application for program ranking.  The session can be viewed anytime and anywhere you have access to the internet.  The Power Point presentation gives you valuable information on topics common to all School of Nursing and Health Professions programs at MGCCC.   Even without the ability to speak directly or interact immediately with a School of Nursing and Health Professions advisor, the session speaks to frequently asked questions from program entrance to completion.  In order to receive credit for viewing the session, follow the steps below.  The information is approximately one (1) hour in length.                                                              

To complete this requirement do the following:

1. Visit MGCCC Web Services
2. Select Student
3. Select School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application Orientation Session.                                                                                      
4. In order to receive credit, you must review the entire session.
5. Click survey complete so that your log-in information will be recorded in the college’s BANNER system.    

• Comply with Mississippi law requiring a Criminal Background History Check with Fingerprinting through the Mississippi Department of Health. All Nursing and Allied Health applicants are required to obtain a clear or acceptable Criminal Background Check from the MGCCC Campus Police at HC, JC, Perkinston or the George County Campus/Center. MGCCC’s Criminal Background Check Policy (including days and times) can be viewed at School of Nursing and Health Professions Criminal Background Check Policy  .

                                    
To complete and submit the online Supplemental Application:

1. Visit MGCCC Web Services
2. Select Student
3. Select School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application.                      

Thereafter, the applicant MUST read the guidelines carefully.  In order to complete and submit the application, college admission and ALL pre-requisite requirements are required.

Selection Process

Program openings are filled based on Selective Admission; applicants are ranked based on their individual achievement test scores and prior college course work. Student ranking for entry into the EMS Paramedic program is based on a point system. Students are awarded points for the required ACCUPLACER score, their EMT Review Exam score, and given points for successful completion of BIO 2514  (prerequisite) and based on their achieved grades. Bonus points will also be awarded for successful completion of any other college credit courses which could be used to complete degree requirements for the AAS. Program enrollment is a floating number which can fluctuate each year based on availability of clinical rotation slots. Students who are selected are also held to the following program policies.

EMS Paramedic Program Policies

• All students are required to submit to substance testing in accordance with the substance testing policy and procedures for the School of Nursing and Health Professions. The testing policy can be viewed by clicking here: School of Nursing and Health Professions Substance Testing Policy  .
• The School of Nursing and Health Professions requires proof of Immunizations and/or CPR. Submission of all required documents will begin following program acceptance. Failure to meet the requirements will result in withdrawal/dismissal.
• Upon admission to the Paramedic Program, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA on the required courses and complete each course with a C or better.
• Adherence to additional clinical affiliation requirements may be necessary depending on clinical rotation placement. (i.e. hospital orientation, HIPAA training, CPR certification)
• The School of Nursing and Health Professions Student Manual can be viewed here  

EMS Paramedic program – Cost List (Estimate only)

Prior to Entering Program

• Criminal Background Check $65 - $80 (MGCCC Campus Police)

Once Admitted into Program

• General MGCCC Tuition and Fees
• Career and Technical Program Fee $40 per credit hour
• Pre-admission Physical Exam and Immunizations $200 - $300
• Books $400 - $600
• Substance Testing $29 - $35 per semester
• Liability Insurance $12 - $15 per semester
• Uniform, Accessories $125 - $200
• FISDAP Software Fee $180 - $250
• EMT Skills Bag $70
• National Registry Examination Fee - AEMT Level $150
• National Registry Examination Fee - Paramedic Level $175

Cost may be subject to change