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Aims paramedic students practicing in the classroom

Paramedic

Earn a Two-Year Paramedic Associate Degree at Aims

Are you a compassionate and driven person who wants to make a positive impact in your community? Are you looking for an intense, fast-paced career that offers the chance to help people?

In this paramedic associate degree program, you’ll receive intensive hands-on training from experienced instructors who will prepare you for a career as a paramedic. If you’re an emergency medical technician in Colorado and are ready to advance your career to become a paramedic, you can earn a two-year paramedic degree at Aims.

Your paramedic degree training will include:

  • In-depth study of subjects including pharmacology, cardiology, trauma and life-saving techniques
  • An advanced simulation studio where you’ll apply concepts learned in class
  • State-of-the-art lab equipment, including EMS training manikins that display human-like neurological and physiological symptoms and an Anatomage virtual cadaver table for studying anatomy and physiology
  • Training at the Aims Public Safety Institute in Windsor, Colorado, including fully functioning ambulances
  • Clinical hospital rotations in multiple departments, including emergency, labor and delivery, and helicopter
  • Internships where you’ll put your education into practice in the field

Based at the Windsor campus at a facility created to function like a fire station, the Public Safety Institute has a study lounge, kitchen, workout room and a state-of-the-art simulation studio with realistic settings like those you’ll encounter on the job. The Aims paramedic program was designed by seasoned professionals who will run you through actual scenarios they’ve experienced in the field.

The Aims paramedic degree program emphasizes leadership abilities, making it unique from many other paramedic training programs. A large portion of your grade is based on your decision-making and diagnostic skills as a team lead during scenario-based labs. 

The CAAHEP-accredited Aims paramedic associate degree program prepares you for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) paramedic certification exam. The Aims paramedic degree program has an exceptional pass rate. Take the NREMT exam with confidence and embark on a new career phase as an EMS team leader. 

If you’re just beginning your emergency medical services (EMS) career, read about the Aims EMT certificate program and how to apply

If you’re a motivated and experienced EMT or RN ready to advance to the next step in your career, earning a paramedic associate degree at Aims can put you on an exciting new career path.

Turn Your Passion for Helping People Into An Exciting Career as a Paramedic

Aims Degree Video - Emergency Medical Services - Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic

Paul LaFleur, paramedic program director and instructor at Aims, talks about the variety of exciting opportunities you have for hands-on learning while studying to become a paramedic.

The Aims Paramedic Degree Program Pairs Theory With Practice

You can choose between two Aims paramedic associate degree program tracks -- one designed for people who want to continue working and the other for full-time students. If you’re a registered nurse or intermediate EMT, Aims also offers an advanced placement paramedic program track.

In the Aims paramedic associate degree program, you’ll study:

  • Advanced airway management
  • Basic and advanced cardiology
  • Advanced pharmacology
  • Medical and trauma emergencies
  • EMS leadership skills

Each classroom learning segment coincides with a lab that will run you through various scenarios based on actual calls your instructors have experienced. In addition to lecture and lab classes, you’ll do a series of hospital clinical rotations and an internship in the community.

Leadership skills while managing a scene are a core component of your paramedic training at Aims. Learn how to calmly and capably interact with patients and the public while also managing patient assessment, diagnosis and care. 

In scenario-based labs, your grade is based on your ability as a team leader in the following areas:

  • Conducting a good and accurate history and physical exam
  • Coming up with a differential diagnosis
  • Developing a treatment plan based on that diagnosis
  • Delegating duties while on the scene

Throughout your training during classes, labs, clinical experiences and internships, the Aims paramedic associate degree program will prepare you to take the NREMT Paramedic Certification Exam to become a certified paramedic.

Aims Community College Paramedic Program Outcomes

The Paramedic Program at Aims Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

To contact the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), visit the Commission website or call (727) 210-2350.

To contact the Commission on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP), visit the Commission website or call (214) 703-8445. 

To see how students perform after completing the Aims paramedic program, see the Aims Community College NREMT outcomes for the last two years in the tables below.

Aims Community College Paramedic Program: NREMT Outcomes
Exam Year 2022 2023
Attempted the Exam 24 29
First Attempt Pass 100% (24) 900% (26)
Cumulative Pass Within 3 Attempts 100% (24) 93% (27)
Cumulative Pass Within 6 Attempts 100% (24) 93% (27)
Failed All 6 Attempts 0% (0) 7% (2)
Eligible for Retest 0% (0) 0% (0)
Did Not Complete Within 2 Years 0% (0) 7% (2)
Aims Community College Paramedic Program: Retention Rates
Graduating Year 2022 2023
Number of Students Enrolled 28 31
Number of Students Graduated 24 29
Attrition % 14% (4) 6% (2)
Retention % 86% (24) 94% (27)

Gain the Skills You Need to Become a Paramedic with a Paramedic Certificate

Certificates are a fast and cost-efficient way to quickly gain skills in a given field. Aims offers several EMS certificates, from the most basic emergency medical responder to advanced paramedic training for RNs and intermediate EMTs. The training gained from many of these certificate programs allows you to advance in your EMS career. If you decide to pursue an associate degree at Aims, the paramedic certificate hours and experience can apply toward a paramedic associate degree.

  • EMT - Paramedic Preparation Certificate
  • Paramedic Certificate
  • EMT - Pre-Paramedic Certificate
  • EMT - Emergency Medical Responder Certificate
  • Emergency Medical Technician

Embark on a Career as a Paramedic and Make a Difference in Your Community

After earning your paramedic associate degree, you’ll be prepared to take the NREMT Paramedic Certification Exam. Once you are certified, you can start your career as a paramedic and work in settings including:

  • Fire department
  • Critical care transport organization
  • EMS staffing agency
  • Paramedic flight program
  • Community paramedic program

7% job growth by 2031
$56,340 mean wage in Colorado

You can also go on to pursue a paramedic undergraduate degree after earning your paramedic associate degree. Aims has an articulation agreement with Regis University in Denver, which allows you to transfer your Associate of Applied Science degree coursework toward earning a bachelor’s degree at Regis.

Paramedic Faculty and Staff

The Aims paramedic faculty and staff are all experienced in the field, and many are Aims paramedic program graduates. You’ll learn from instructors who have worked in countless emergency scenarios and will teach you what you need to succeed in your career. Aims adjunct faculty work with various local agencies, including fire departments, ambulance services and flight medic services, which brings a diversity of experience to their instruction. 

  • A headshot of Kevin Harris

    Kevin Harris

    Program Director II, Emergency Medical Services
  • Ross Perkins headshot

    Christopher Ross Perkins

    Program Director III, Public Safety Institute
  • Sean Larsen headshot

    Sean Larsen

    Instructor, Emergency Medical Services
  • Heather Logan headshot

    Heather Logan

    Program Coordinator II, Emergency Medical Services
  • A headshot of Maura Concialdi

    Maura Concialdi

    Instructor, Emergency Medical Services
  • A headshot of Tara Wingate

    Tara Wingate

    Instructor, Emergency Medical Services
  • A headshot of Matt Hedlun

    Matt Hedlun

    Instructor, Emergency Medical Services
  • David Jacoby headshot

    David Jacoby

    Part-time: Instructor, Emergency Medical Services
  • Headshot of Kendra Currey

    Kendra Currey

    Part-time: Instructor, Emergency Medical Services
  • Kelly Simkins

    Kelly Simkins

    Part-time: Instructor, Emergency Medical Services