Paramedic Certificate Program

Next Class Starts:
September 6, 2023

The paramedic certification program is a seven-course sequential non-credit program that begins in August each year. It consists of 308 didactic hours, 204 lab hours, 120 clinical hours, 200 field experience hours, and 120-hour field capstone experience, for a total of 1,012 hours.

All Paramedic students are taught to a national standard of care in addition to receiving training specific to State of Ohio EMS. Shawnee State University Paramedic Program holds CAAHEP and State of Ohio EMS Accreditation.

Class Format

Class is offered in a hybrid format, that allows students to choose to attend in person, or complete the lecture through JB Learning Navigate. All labs are in person only. All course chapter exams are administered through JB Learning Navigate. Students will be provided with a JB Learning access during class orientation. This includes an e-text of Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets.   Hard copies may be available to loan during class.  Students are also enrolled in EMS Platinum for preassessment, module exams, and the final comprehensive exam. 

Schedule

Classes are held on Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, with Lab 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm and Wednesday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Other courses included are AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Medical Life Support, and Prehospital Trauma Life Support are held on select Fridays and Saturdays.  riday and Saturday classes are 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

The Paramedic course requires the completion of a student health record, background check, and signed Criminal History Statement. Portsmouth City Health Department provides the completion of the student health record. This includes the required drug screen. If the student chooses to go to another facility, the cost is not reimbursable. A background check (Ohio and FBI) will be completed through Shawnee State University Security Department.  Note:  Some clinical sites and field agencies may require the COVID vaccine and/or Influenza vaccine for placement. 

Program Cost

Cost of Course: $6800.00

Included in the cost of the course are the following:

• Course/Lab Fee
• Mandatory Background Check (fingerprint and drug screen)
• Physical
• Textbook (ebook with JB Learning Navigate Access)
• EMS Platinum Testing
• Access to textbooks for ACLS, PALS, AMLS, PHTLS
• Two (2) SSU Polo Shirts for Clinical and Field Experience
• Tablet

Admission Requirements

• State of Ohio Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. Current certification must be maintained through the paramedic program. Students from other states must apply for EMT reciprocity. 
• Current, unconditional driver’s license
• Completed Pre-Entrance Medical Record with recent TB, Tetanus, Hepatitis B Vaccines, and MMR.
• Signed Criminal History Statement
• Background Check and Drug Screen
• Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a supervisor.
• Interview with Program Director

How to Apply

Students can complete an online application to apply for admission to the program:

Apply for Paramedic Certification Program

The following documents are needed with the application:

• Ohio EMT
• Driver’s License
• High School Diploma or GED

For more information, or if you have any questions, contact EMS Program Director Linda Steele at lsteele@shawnee.edu, or (740) 351-3463.

Program Sequence

The paramedic certificate program is a sequential non-credit program. All courses must be taken in the sequence listed. Successful completion of each course is required to begin the next course. Students that do not successfully complete the coursework may apply for readmission the following year. 

To remain in good standing during the paramedic program, students must complete the following:

• Maintain a grade point average of 2.0 in all coursework needed to meet the requirements of the course syllabus
• Successfully complete EMS Platinum Testing requirements for preassessment, module exams, and comprehensive exam

Fall Semester

CLLE 102 – Anatomy & Physiology for the Prehospital Provider
This course is designed to give students the knowledge in anatomy and physiology necessary to function as an entry-level paramedic.  This course includes the basic structure and function of body systems and diseases of these systems to provide a foundation based on recommendations for paramedic certification.  Prerequisite:  Acceptance into the Paramedic Certificate Program.  Note:  This course is not considered college-level coursework.

CLLE 104 – Paramedic 1
This course expands basic skills and knowledge gained in the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Course. This course includes the safety and well-being of the paramedic, roles and responsibilities, injury and illness prevention, medical, ethical, and legal aspects, pathophysiology, therapeutic communications, life span development, patient assessment, airway management, shock and fluid administration, critical thinking and clinical decision making, pharmacology, emergency medications, and administration.

CLLE 105 – Paramedic 2
This course also covers medical incident command, triage, crime scenes, hazardous materials, gaining access to, rescuing and packaging a patient, and relaying information to the hospital. NAEMT All Hazards Disaster Response and EMS Safety are included in this course. 

CLLE 107 – Paramedic Lab
Lab Experience that correlates with Paramedic 1.  Note: this course continues through the paramedic certificate program.

CLLE 108 – Paramedic Clinical and Field Applications
Hospital and Field Experience that correlates with Paramedic 1.  Note: this course continues through the paramedic certificate program. 

Spring Semester

CLLE 106 – Paramedic 3
This course covers medical emergencies, trauma injuries, psychiatric and special populations.   AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support are included in this course.  

CLLE 107 – Paramedic Lab
Lab Experience that correlates with Paramedic 1.  Note:  this course continues through the paramedic certificate program.

CLLE 108 – Paramedic Clinical and Field Applications
Hospital and Field Experience that correlates with Paramedic 1.  Note:  this course continues through the paramedic certificate program

Summer Semester

CLLE 109 – Practical Applications
This course covers didactic and laboratory instruction in advanced emergency procedures. Successful completion leads to certification in Prehospital Trauma Life Support, Geriatric Education for EMS, Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals, and Psychological Trauma in Emergency Patients.

CLLE 110 – Paramedic Field Capstone Experience
This course is the final requirement for the paramedic certificate program.  The student is expected to complete a minimum of 20 Advanced Life Support calls as the Lead Paramedic.  This requirement aligns with CoAEMSP student minimum competencies and prepares the student for the cognitive and psychomotor exam required for certification.  Students must also meet a minimal standard on weekly assignments to successfully complete the course.