Paramedic (PARH/PARA)

The Paramedic program is a three-semester certificate program. The lecture and lab consists of approximately 600 hours. The clinical/field internship is approximately 540 hours. 

The program consists of four components of instruction: lecture, skills laboratory, clinical education and field internship. The successful completion of these components will prepare graduates for National Registry exams and enable him/her to demonstrate competence as an entry level paramedic. Graduates of this program may work in emergency medical services (EMS), fire/rescue, hospital emergency departments, medical clinics, sports medicine, industrial medicine, or similar occupations.

All Paramedic courses are taught at the Knox Center for Health Sciences. Enrollment is limited.

Admission Requirements

1. Complete the Roane State Community College (RSCC) admissions process to become an admitted student. Click here for the application.
2. Complete the electronic Health Science application on RaiderNet and submit by the published application deadline.
   Note: When choosing the Planned Course of Study, select ‘Paramedic’. If ‘Paramedic’ is not selected as a Planned Course of Study you will not be considered for the Paramedic Program.
3. Complete the required program admission examinations:
   1. State Approved Paramedic Entrance Exam.* A minimum composite score of 75 is required. 
      AND
   2. Complete the Accuplacer Exam.  If test results indicate a reading deficiency, all Learning Support requirements for reading comprehension must be successfully completed before applicant will be considered for admission to the program. Note: Some applicants may be exempt from Accuplacer testing.  Accuplacer or Compass scores within the last three years are accepted. Test scores and any transcripts from other colleges must be turned into the RSCC Admission and Records Office by the published application deadline. See the Testing Center webpage for registration directions, exemptions, and more.
             OR
      • Students may have an ACT Score of 19 or above in reading.*
        OR
      • Student may have a HESI score of 70% or above. *
        OR
      • ENGL 1010 (English Composition) with a grade of C or better.
        *Note: Test Scores are considered valid for 3 years or by approval of the program director.
4. Be currently licensed as an AEMT in the state of Tennessee.
5. Complete all other entrance requirements detailed on the Paramedic webpage.
6. Qualified applicants will complete an interview to be considered for admission to the program.
7. Students must follow the admissions process regarding interviews and testing in compliance with EMS rules and regulations as set forth by the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services and the RSCC Emergency Medical Services program. A Paramedic Admissions Committee considers all eligible applicants and recommends applicants to the Health Science Admission Committee. Applicants must report if their license in any health care field has been suspended, revoked, or denied.

Note: Students may not register for discipline-specific courses until their major has been changed by the Health Science Admissions Advisor.
Note: Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to Tennessee Residents.
*Tennessee Emergency Medical Services Board requirement.

Program Application and Deadlines

Fall Admission: June 15, late applications may be considered on a space-available basis.

Spring Admission: October 31, late applications may be considered on a space-available basis.

Students will be notified electronically via RaiderNet email of acceptance to the Paramedic program. Students must acknowledge their acceptance via reply email by the designated response date stated in the acceptance email.

Criminal Background Checks

Criminal background checks and drug screening may be a requirement at affiliated clinical sites utilized for training in the Paramedic program. Based on the results of these checks, an affiliated clinical site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility. This would result in your inability to successfully complete the Paramedic program. Students will be responsible for the costs of the background check. Additionally, a criminal background may preclude licensure or employment. More information is available from your program director.

Health Guidelines

Students will be required to meet all health guidelines of affiliated clinical agencies. Personal health insurance may be required by some agencies. Students are highly encouraged to carry personal health insurance and are responsible for costs incurred due to injury or illness while enrolled. Students will be responsible for the cost of the physical examination and required immunizations and/or testing.

Students will be required, during the course of the program to demonstrate their physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program. Such essential requirements include freedom from communicable diseases, the ability to perform certain tasks, and suitable emotional fitness. Any appraisal measures used to determine such physical and/or emotional fitness will be in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American Disabilities Act of 1990. Students will be required to meet all health guidelines of the affiliating agencies. Students are responsible for cost incurred from injury or illness while in the Paramedic program.

Advanced Placement, Experiential Learning and Transfer of Credit.

1. Advanced Placement and Experiential Learning (prior learning assessment)
   There is no advanced placement or experiential learning (prior learning assessment) opportunities available for paramedic students at Roane State Community College.
2. Transferring Paramedic Students  
   Students wishing to transfer paramedic credits must meet RSCC general admission requirements.  Paramedic Program admissions requirements must also be met.  A letter of recommendation including evidence of clinical and lab competency must be submitted from the director of the previous paramedic program and/or complete a competency examination (didactic and psychomotor) at RSCC.  The student must be eligible to progress in their previous program.  Candidates meeting these requirements will be evaluated for transfer on an individual basis. Candidates wishing to have their paramedic credits transferred must submit a transfer request within 2 years of completion of coursework.  

Retention

1. Maintain current Tennessee licensure as EMT and maintain current CPR certification at the level of American Heart Association-Health Care Provider level.
2. Maintain 80% in didactic, lab and clinical areas.

Student Conduct and Disciplinary Sanctions

The RSCC policy of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Sanctions applies to all students regardless of the program in which they are enrolled. In cases where alcohol and drug violations occur, disciplinary action, as well as the decision whether to test for alcohol or drugs, will be processed through the Dean of Health Sciences and the office of the Dean of Student Services.

Readmission Procedures

A student must request readmission after a grade of “D” or “F” is received in a core course or after withdrawal from the program at any time during the semester.

A student may be considered for readmission to the program if all of the following criteria are met:

1. Students applying for readmission must meet all admissions criteria listed above. The applicant must submit a readmission request in writing to the Program Director at least thirty (30) days prior to enrollment. The request must be a detailed personal reflection of the reason(s) for the unsuccessful performance and a plan of correction.
2. The applicant applying for readmission may be required to interview with the Program Director and/or faculty for consideration of readmission before the review date by the Allied Health Science Programs Admission Committee.
3. An acceptable level of discipline-specific competency may need to be demonstrated prior to readmission.
4. A student with previous unsatisfactory clinical performance must be recommended for readmission by consensus of the paramedic program faculty.
   Note: The Health Sciences Program Director will verify that all readmission documents and criteria including licensure/credentials are current and valid.
5. Readmission to the paramedic program is contingent upon the availability of space.
6. Students who are dismissed for reasons associated with academic misconduct or violations of a code of ethics will not be considered for re-admission.
7. A student must repeat the specialty course or courses for which he/she was dismissed and attain a “C” or better in the course.
8. A student may be readmitted to the program within two years from the semester they failed. Before being considered for readmission they will be required to take a competency exam for those course(s) which they previously successfully completed. Upon successful completion of those exams they will be considered for readmission to the program and be required to take only the course(s) they failed. If they do not successfully complete the competency exam(s), they can reapply for admission but will have to repeat all courses. Successful completion of a competency exam(s) would mean a grade of 70 or greater.

Note: Students must follow the admissions process regarding interviews and testing in compliance with EMS rules and regulations as set forth by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services and the RSCC Paramedic program. A Paramedic Admissions Committee considers all eligible applicants and recommends applicants to the Health Science Program Admissions Committee. Applicants must report if their license in any health care field has been suspended, revoked, or denied.

Students wishing to pursue an A.A.S. in Allied Health Sciences with an emphasis in Emergency Medical Services should contact their advisor. A certain number of credit hours in each program must be completed in order to meet the graduation residency requirement. Contact your advisor for the requirement of your program.

http://www.roanestate.edu/?7539-Paramedic