Paramedic
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?
If you’re an emergency medical technician ready to advance your career to become a paramedic, you can earn a two-year paramedic degree at Aims. 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.
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, 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 might be right for you.
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.
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.
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.
| Exam Year | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Attempted the Exam | 24 | 22 |
| First Attempt Pass | 91.7% (22) | 90.9% (20) |
| Cumulative Pass Within 3 Attempts | 95.8% (23) | 95.4% (21) |
| Cumulative Pass Within 6 Attempts | 95.8% (23) | 95.4% (21) |
| Failed All 6 Attempts | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
| Eligible for Retest | 4.2% (1) | 4.6% (1) |
| Did Not Complete Within 2 Years | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
| Graduating Year | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Students Enrolled | 25 | 24 |
| Number of Students Graduated | 24 | 22 |
| Attrition % | 4.0% (1) | 8.4% (2) |
| Retention % | 96.0% (24) | 91.6% (22) |
| Graduating Year | Number of Students Graduated | Positive Placement % |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 24 | 91.7% (22) |
| 2021 | 22 | 100% (22) |
- EMT - Paramedic Preparation Certificate
- Paramedic Certificate
- EMT - Pre-Paramedic Certificate
- EMT - Emergency Medical Responder Certificate
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Advanced 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
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.
