Levels of Training

This career requires you to think critically and take charge in unpredictable and sometimes chaotic situations. This career is physically demanding and requires specific technical standards. EMS training has three progressive levels of training and licensure:

• Initial training program: Emergency Medical Technician: Basic
• Second training program: Emergency Medical Technician: Advanced
• Final training program: Paramedic

To learn more, please refer to the specific course requirements link for each EMS training level.

Currently licensed and certified paramedics also can earn an associate degree in nursing while transitioning to a new career as a registered nurse (RN) through our Paramedic to RN Mobility Track Program.

Career Opportunities

Employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. (US Department of Labor)

Job Opportunities for EMT basic, advanced EMTs, and paramedics include but are not limited to:

• Private Ambulance Service EMT/AEMT/Paramedic
• Firefighter EMT/AEMT/Paramedic
• Flight Paramedic
• Private Industry Safety Officer
• Emergency Management Officer
• Emergency Room Technician

EMS Technical Certificates

EMT Basic Technical Certificate

EMT Advanced Technical Certificate

Paramedic Technical Certificate

EMS Associate’s Degrees

Associates in Allied Health Science (EMT Basic and EMT Advanced technical certificates embedded)

Paramedic Associates of Applied Science (Paramedic technical certificate embedded)

Academic Map Information

Paramedic A.A.S.

Paramedic Technical Certificate

EMT Basic Technical Certificate

EMT Advanced Technical Certificate

Program and Course Information

To find out more about courses offered at Southwest, you can use our Interactive Course Schedule to see when and where a class is being offered.

The Southwest Tennessee Community College Paramedic Program is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

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

Paramedic Program Goals and Outcomes

The EMS program is designed to offer the student planned learning experiences and to provide knowledge, skills and behaviors that will prepare the graduate for successful employment as pre-hospital health care professionals, as well as to prepare them to be responsive to the needs of the communities of interest. 

Our program goals are as follows: 

“To prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.” 

Paramedic Program Outcomes: 

CAAHEP Accredited Paramedic Programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). These measures include results for retention, the National Registry certification exam, and placement. 

 

Related Links

• Allied Health Admission and Retention Procedures
• Allied Health Application Deadlines and Admissions Dates
• Faculty
• State and National EMT Links
• NC-SARA/State Authorization