Paramedic

The AAS Degree Program is conducted under the auspices of the Department of Health Sciences. The course of study leading to the AAS Degree in Paramedic typically takes two years, with paramedic education beginning in the fall semester of the second year, if already certified as an EMT.

Advanced standing for individuals who have successfully completed a NYS Paramedic certificate is also available. Individuals who have successfully completed a Paramedic course prior to applying to LaGuardia Community College will receive thirty-four (34) credits in recognition of their advanced technical education and skills. Students entering into the college with their paramedic certificate must see the program Director in order to obtain credit for the Paramedic clinical courses.

Note: In order to complete the AAS Degree, a minimum of twenty four (24) residency credits must be taken at LaGuardia Community college, as a registered degree student. The two-year course of study and requirements for graduation for the AAS Degree in Paramedic can be found below and additional information is detailed in the Paramedic Program Handbook.

The program is divided into two phases:

• Pre-Clinical Phase which consists of all required general education including the Key Courses
• Clinical Phase which consists of all paramedic courses with SCE prefix, complemented by campus laboratory experience and clinical practice in area health care facilities
  

All students are admitted to the pre-clinical phase and must file for Paramedic candidacy in order to progress to the clinical phase. Candidates must first complete four Key Courses with a minimum GPA of 2.5. In addition students are required to achieve the "Basic Level" (41.2%-58.7%) on the TEAS V before applying for Paramedic Candidacy. They are then ranked by the Registrar's Office on a scoring system based on grades in these key courses and certain other required courses.

Review detailed candidacy information including a sample scoring of Key Courses in the Paramedic Program handbook.

The field of prehospital care is responsible for the initial treatment and transportation of individuals suffering from an acute illness or injury. There are five (5) levels of certification within the New York State Department of Health – Bureau of EMS System. The only levels used professionally in the NYC 9-1-1 system are EMT and Paramedic. Students are not obligated to complete each level before moving on to the next. Listed below are descriptions of each level of certification:

• The first level is Certified First Responder (CFR). Certified First Responders are trained to provide many basic skills such as initial patient assessment, vital signs, CPR, use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED), bleeding and bandaging of wounds, and stabilization/immobilization of injured bones and the spine. CFR responders are generally utilized in a dual role capacity (i.e. firefighter/CFR or police officer/CFR) and generally do not transport the patient to the hospital. National Registry recognizes this level as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR).
  
  
• (NYC Required) The second level is the EMT (Basic). The EMT is educated to a higher level of medical concepts than the CFR and is authorized to perform all of the skills of the CFR, as well as management of medical emergencies, limited medication administration, and assistance in childbirth. EMTs of any level are responsible for transporting patients to the hospital in an ambulance or other patient transport vehicle (i.e. helicopter). Ambulances in New York City must have at least one provider at the EMT level on board. EMT Certification is a prerequisite to all higher levels of certification including Paramedic.
  
  
• The third level is the EMT – Intermediate (EMT – I). The EMT – I must be competent in all aspects of EMT concepts, skills, and equipment usage. In addition, EMT – I responders must be able to provide Advanced Life Support to patients using intravenous therapy, manual defibrillators, and advanced airway adjuncts to control the airway in cases of respiratory and cardiac arrest. Although EMT – Intermediates are not allowed to practice in NYC, they are utilized in other counties in close proximity.
  
  
• The fourth level is the EMT – Critical Care (EMT – CC). The EMT – CC must be competent in all aspects of EMT and EMT – Intermediate concepts, skills, and equipment usage. The EMT – CC is educated in the concepts, skills, and equipment of medication administration. Specific medications are allowed to be administered using standing medical orders (EMS Protocols) and on-line medical direction. Although EMT – CCs are strictly limited to inter-facility transport duties in NYC, they are more heavily utilized in other counties in close proximity.
  
  
• (NYC Required) Working within established EMS systems under the authority of a physician medical director, the Paramedic (P) is the highest level of provider. The Paramedic is responsible for the recognition and treatment of life-threatening and potentially life-threatening medical and traumatic conditions, and the initiation of proper advanced level treatments including IV access, advanced airway management, medication administration, ECG monitoring, defibrillation, cardioversion, and external pacing. The Paramedic is also responsible for the supervision and direction of all EMS providers of lesser training at the scene of an incident.

Paramedic students build upon their EMT education, practice, and experience. A combination of lectures, practical skills labs, clinical rotations and field internships prepares them to provide advanced level care in the prehospital setting. Paramedics must be highly skilled in patient assessment and competent in all skills required for basic and advanced level procedures. This course of study is designed to teach students the professional standards and medical principles, as well as the clinical and technical skills needed for the practice of advanced level prehospital care.

Explore career possibilities on Career Connect.  

In support of the LaGuardia’s mission to educate and graduate its students to become critical thinkers and socially responsible citizens, the College has undertaken a team approach toward advising, designed to support you in your major from orientation through graduation.

Your Advising Team is made up of faculty, professional and peer advisors. They will guide you at every step during your college career. They are ready to help you:

• Explore your major
• Select introductory and advanced courses
• Connect you with campus support services
• Prepare an educational and career plan

Visit the Advising page to learn more about when to get advised and how to prepare for an advising appointment, and check out the Advising Calendar for information sessions, events and more.

Successful completion of this intensive program leads to eligibility for Paramedic Certification through the New York State Department Health – Following the National Standard Curriculum for the Paramedic, our program is designed to teach the student the professional, clinical, and technical skills required for the practice of advanced pre-hospital care.

Understanding is the key to good clinical judgment. The Paramedic Program at LaGuardia Community College has four distinct components:

• Didactic activities
• Practical skills labs
• Clinical rotations (Hospital Rotations)
• Field internship (Ambulance Rotations)

Review detailed curriculum information in the Paramedic Program Handbook

Current Students

Log in to the CUNY Portal to review your Degree Audit to find out what classes to take.

Have questions about using Degree Audit? Visit LaGuardia’s Degree Audit page for tutorials and how-to guides.

                                                                         

Prospective Students

Review the Paramedic Curriculum and the recommended course sequence below.

Recommended Course Sequence
For students already certified as a NYS EMT

First Year, Fall I (12 week Session)

Course Number	Course Name	Fulfills	Credits
HSF090	First Year Seminar for Health Sciences	Program Core	0
MAT115	College Algebra and Trigonometry (Key Course)	Required Core	3
SCB203	Human Anatomy & Physiology I (Key Course)	Required Core	4
ENG101	English Composition	Required Core	3
		Session Credits	10
		Total Credits	10

First Year, Fall II (6 week Session)

Course Number	Course Name	Fulfills	Credits
SCB195	HIV/AIDS, Science and Society	Flexible Core	3
		Session Credits	3
		Total Credits	13

First Year, Spring I (12 week Session)

Course Number	Course Name	Fulfills	Credits
ENG102	Writing though Literature	Required Core	3
SCB204	Human Anatomy & Physiology	Flexible Core	4
SSY101	General Psychology (Key Course)	Flexible Core	3
	Apply for Candidacy
		Session Credits	10
		Total Credits	23

First Year, Spring II (6 week Session)

Course Number	Course Name	Fulfills	Credits
HUP102	Critical Thinking	Flexible Core	3
		Session Credits	3
		Total Credits	26

Second Year, Fall I (12 week Session)

Course Number	Course Name	Fulfills	Credits
SCE110	Fundamentals of Paramedic I	Program Core	6
SCE111	Fundamentals of Paramedics II	Program Core	6
		Session Credits	12
		Total Credits	38

Second Year, Fall II (6 week Session)

Course Number	Course Name	Fulfills	Credits
SCE203	Intermediate Paramedic I	Program Core	5
		Session Credits	5
		Total Credits	43

Second Year, Spring I (12 week Session)

Course Number	Course Name	Fulfills	Credits
SCE204	Intermediate Paramedic II	Program Core	6
SCE205	Advanced Paramedic I	Program Core	6
		Session Credits	12
		Total Credits	55

Second Year, Spring II (6 week Session)

Course Number	Course Name	Fulfills	Credits
SCE206	Advanced Paramedic II	Program Core	5
		Session Credits	5
		Total Credits	60

For information about this program’s retention and graduation rate visit the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment website page.

Download the Paramedic Program Handbook