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Why Major in Emergency Medical Services

Many EMS services now prioritize candidates with an associate degree, making the EMS-Paramedic AAS degree a valuable asset for aspiring and current EMS professionals. This program offers a unique blend of Paramedic Certificate EMS training and essential general education courses, providing graduates with a well-rounded skill set for career advancement opportunities. Whether you are already working in the field and seeking to enhance your qualifications or looking to kick start your career in EMS, the EMS-Paramedic AAS can open doors to a variety of rewarding pathways within the profession.

Locations
Quad-Cities Campus
Formats
On-campus
Number of Credits
70
Next Start Date
Fall
Financial Aid Eligibility
Yes

Careers In Emergency Medical Services

This degree can prepare graduates for being a charge medic, supervisor, or administrative director of emergency services.

Paramedic Admission Requirements

The curriculum in Emergency Medical Service is career-oriented and must meet the following requirements for admission.

  • High school graduation or equivalent
  • 18 years of age
  • Physical examination is required prior to beginning clinical practice
  • Student must achieve a grade of 80% or above in all courses to continue in the program
  • Completion of pre-admission testing with appropriate placement score or REA 098, MATH 081 & ENG 091; or approval of EMS program director.

Frequently Asked Questions About EMS

What are the learning objectives of this degree?

Students completing this program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate information in the classroom, practical lab, and clinical/field component of the Paramedic program.
  • Determine patient needs and choose necessary interventions appropriate for the Paramedic scope of practice.
  • Demonstrate knowledge attainment by successfully completing the NREMT or licensure exam for the Paramedic educational experience.
  • Demonstrate satisfactory technical performance in all skills as required for the entry-level Paramedic during practical labs, exams and clinical/field rotations.
  • Demonstrate satisfactory communication skills when communicating with faculty, patients, preceptors, and EMS/medical facility personnel.
  • Demonstrate satisfactory documentation skills when documenting patient histories, assessments, patient care, and interventions.
  • Recognize EMS professionals are an essential component of the continuum of health care.
  • Demonstrate personal behavior consistent with professional, faculty, and employer expectations of an entry-level Paramedic as evidenced by the daily clinical/field evaluations and progressive/final field summary evaluations.
  • Demonstrate expected personal behaviors during patient/staff interactions in the clinical/ field rotations as evidenced by the daily clinical/field evaluations and progressive/final field summary evaluations.
  • Demonstrate values consistent with the values of the College, EMS Program, and the State/National regulating bodies as evidenced by the daily clinical/field evaluations and progressive/final field summary evaluations.
  • Recognize and accept cultural differences while providing patient care as evidenced by the daily clinical/field evaluations and progressive/final field summary evaluations.

Is this degree available on the East Campus?

No, EMS courses are only available at the QC Campus.

Professional Licensure

Black Hawk College (BHC) programs are designed to meet licensure or certification requirements in Illinois. Completion of a BHC program may not satisfy requirements in other states. Below is a list of states and whether this BHC EMS – Paramedic program meets or does not meet the educational requirements for licensure in those states. If a state is not listed, BHC has not made a determination regarding whether the program satisfies that state’s educational requirements for licensure or certification.

States where completion meets educational requirements for professional licensure

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Guam
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Contact

Quad-Cities Campus

309-796-5341 or
309-796-5000

East Campus

309-854-1724