Acceptance in the Paramedic core training courses are subject to the following conditions/limitations:
- Candidates must have a valid NREMT certification, and be able to obtain Montana state EMT licensure prior to beginning ECP core paramedic courses.
- Applicants who do not meet the requirement of holding a valid NREMT certification may enroll in ECP 130 to meet this program requirement. ECP 130 is offered all semesters.
- Due to a class size limitation of 12 students, acceptance into the paramedic core courses is based on an application process and is competitive. This may result in a student needing more than two years to complete degree requirements.
- Applications are available at the bottom of this page on February 1 and must be completed and returned no later than July 15. The priority application deadline is February 15.
- Placement in the paramedic core training is not guaranteed within two years.
- A maximum of 12 students will be accepted to begin the Paramedic (ECP) course series.
- Candidates must pass an entrance examination and screening process including an interview by members of the paramedic advisory committee.
- Candidates are subject to extensive background checks by the college, clinical sites, field internship sites, the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT), and the Montana Board of Medical Examiners (MT BOME).
- Compliance with all clinical and field internship site policies regarding Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is mandatory.
-
- A field experience is required for this program.
- Paramedicine is a demanding program that requires students to maintain high academic and professional standards.
- A grade of “C-” or better is required in all non-core courses. Any grade of less than a “C-” will require retaking the course.
- Any course in the “ECP” series will require a grade of “B-” or better. Students must maintain an 80% grade average throughout the course of the core study to continue in the program.
- Students wishing to enroll in any ECP course, with the exception of ECP 130, must have submitted an application and received a letter of acceptance from the program director.
- Fees for this program are higher than average. Please see the program director for more details.
The Paramedicine AAS 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
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org
- ECP 200, ECP 206, ECP 235, and ECP 250 are on-line courses and additional fees apply.
- The student is responsible for the purchase of their apparel for the clinical/field portion of the program.
- Students in the Paramedicine program must comply with Kalispell Regional Healthcare clinical policy agreement standards (which includes vaccinations/immunizations or appropriate lab work to ensure adequate protection from communicable diseases).
Opportunities After Graduation
Most career EMTs and paramedics work in metropolitan areas; however, there are also job opportunities in smaller cities, towns, and rural areas.
EMTs and paramedics are employed in a number of industries, including emergency medical services agencies (EMS), local governments, and hospitals.
Advanced Placement Policy
The FVCC paramedic program provides advanced placement for qualified students. Advanced placement is any process where the program formally recognizes prior learning of a student and applies that recognition toward meeting the program requirements. Advanced placement is applied on a case-by-case basis and allows a student to “place out” of specified program didactic, laboratory, clinical or field internship placements. This may shorten the time for completion of the program and is often thought of as an alternative pathway to program completion and eligibility for the National Registry at the paramedic level. These types of students often include physicians, registered nurses, licensed or certified Advanced EMTs, and licensed or certified paramedics.
- All students completing the program must demonstrate they have met ALL program requirements. Therefore, documentation of any student completing via an advanced placement policy must show how all of the program minimum didactic, laboratory, clinical or field requirements have been achieved through this process.
- All students, including those in advanced placement, completing the program are considered graduates and will be included in all outcomes reporting.
- Students wishing to obtain credit for prior experiential learning/work experience must meet all requirements found in the FVCC catalog under the section titled “Transfer and Grading.”
- Evaluation of prior learning/advanced placement is requested by the student and evaluated by the Paramedicine Program Director for the final decision on acceptance or denial of the request.
Accreditation
The Flathead Valley 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/
Program Outcomes
CAAHEP Accredited Paramedic Programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2021.
The most recent success rate for the National Registry of EMT Paramedic/State Cognitive exam was 90%.
The most recent positive placement rate for graduates was 90%.
Positive placement is defined by the CoAEMSP as ‘Employed full or part-time in a related field and/or continuing his/her education and/or serving in the military’. Positive placement is measured at completion of the program.
The most recent retention rate was 83.3%.
