
ParamedicRequirements
Aims Paramedic Associate Degree Requirements
Explore the classes that will teach you the skills you need to become a paramedic. Study advanced concepts in cardiology, including EKG concepts, rhythms and diagnoses. Study advanced pharmacology, IV fluid therapy, and medical and trauma emergencies. Each classroom lecture segment coincides with a lab session designed to give you hands-on training in various emergency scenarios. General education requirements include public speaking, math, English composition, government and the sociology of diversity.
Clinical rotations give you well-rounded hands-on training in the following departments:
- Emergency room
- ICU
- Catheter lab
- Helicopter
- Labor and delivery
- Operating room
- Pediatric ER
- Psychiatric unit
After your clinicals, internships allow you to apply your knowledge and skills in the community.
Choose Your Paramedic Degree Program Pacing
Aims offers two paramedic associate degree program tracks:
- The traditional paramedic program track is for you if you’d like to maintain your employment during training. This program track takes three semesters to complete, with clinical rotations over winter break and a field internship completed during the summer.
- The accelerated paramedic program track is for you if you’d like to complete your paramedic degree program in two semesters. Classes start in the fall and meet all day every Thursday and Friday, with hospital and clinical rotations over winter break and an internship over the following spring semester.
Both online and in-class options are available for the classroom learning portion of the paramedic degree program.
If you’re a registered nurse or intermediate EMT, Aims also offers an advanced paramedic program track with accelerated and traditional pacing options.
- View the accelerated advanced paramedic program track for nurses and intermediate-to-advanced EMTs
- View the traditional advanced paramedic program track for nurses and intermediate-to-advanced EMTs
How to Apply to the Aims Paramedic Program
To apply to the paramedic program, you'll need to meet certain minimum requirements and fill out an application form. Visit this page for more information and to apply.
Row Groupings | Degree Requirements: | Credits |
---|---|---|
required | EMS 225 - Paramedic PracticeIntroduces the paramedic student to the advanced practice of prehospital care. This course covers professional behavior, medical ethics, legal issues, patient assessment, therapeutic communication, clinical decision making, and basic and advanced airway management. This course discusses EMS 's role in the healthcare continuum, professional communication, patient care documentation, IV fluid therapy and resuscitation, and the application of evidence based medicine. A brief overview of human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology is included. Three credits. Course Corequisites
EMS 226
|
3 |
required | EMS 226 - Paramedic Practice - LabTeaches the skills necessary for the paramedic to apply professional behavior, medical ethics, legal issues, patient assessment, therapeutic communication, clinical decision making, and airway management. Serves as the companion course to Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice. Two credits. Course Corequisites
EMS 225
|
2 |
required | EMS 227 - Paramedic Spec ConsiderationsIntroduces the paramedic student to concepts in assessing and meeting the emergency care needs of the neonate, pediatric, geriatric and special needs patient. This course focuses on epidemiology, pathophysiology, assessment and treatment of these patient groups. Common medical and traumatic presentations are addressed. Relevant psychosocial and ethno cultural concepts and legal and ethical implications are integrated throughout. Three credits. Course Corequisites
EMS 228
|
3 |
required | EMS 228 - Special Considerations LabTeaches the skills necessary for the paramedic to effectively assess and treat neonatal, pediatric, geriatric, and special needs patients utilizing skills and simulation scenarios. Serves as the companion course to Paramedic Special Considerations. Two credits. Course Corequisites
EMS 227
|
2 |
required | EMS 229 - Paramedic PharmacologyIntroduces the paramedic student to advanced emergency pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. This course will include laws affecting the use and distribution of medications, medication dosing, clinical calculations, routes of administration and discussion of common medication classifications to include indications, contraindications and side effects. Three credits. Course Corequisites
EMS 230
|
3 |
required | EMS 230 - Paramedic Pharmacology LabTeaches the skills necessary for the paramedic to safely and effectively administer emergency medications. Serves as the companion course to Paramedic Pharmacology. Two credits. Course Corequisites
EMS 229
|
2 |
required | EMS 231 - Paramedic CardiologyIntroduces the paramedic student to cardiovascular emergencies and the care of patients presenting with cardiovascular emergencies. Topics will include assessment of the cardiovascular system, ECG acquisition and interpretation both single lead and 12 lead, pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease and treatments indicated for a given disease. Five credits. Course Corequisites
EMS 232
|
5 |
required | EMS 232 - Paramedic Cardiology LabTeaches the skills necessary for the paramedic to effectively assess and treat patients presenting with cardiovascular emergencies utilizing skills and simulation scenarios. Serves as the companion course to Paramedic Cardiology. One credit. Course Corequisites
EMS 231
|
1 |
required | EMS 233 - Paramedic Medical EmergenciesExpands on the paramedic student's knowledge of medical emergencies with the Integration of assessment findings in formulating a field impression and implementing a treatment plan. This course will cover principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology related to common medical emergencies including: neurological, abdominal and gastrointestinal disorders, immunological, infectious diseases, endocrine disorders, psychiatric disorders, toxicological, respiratory, hematological, genitourinary, gynecological, non-traumatic musculoskeletal disorders, and diseases of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat. Four credits. Course Corequisites
EMS 234
|
4 |
required | EMS 234 - Medical Emergencies LabTeaches the skills necessary for the paramedic to effectively assess and treat patients with a variety of medical emergencies utilizing skills and simulation scenarios. Serves as the companion course to Paramedic Medical Emergencies. One credit. Course Corequisites
EMS 233
|
1 |
required | EMS 235 - Paramedic Trauma EmergenciesExpands on the paramedic student's knowledge of trauma emergencies with the integration of assessment findings in formulating a field impression and implementing a treatment plan for an acutely injured patient. The course will provide an in depth evaluation of trauma to include: categorization of trauma patients, incidence of trauma, trauma systems, types of injury, trauma assessment, documentation in trauma, trauma scoring scales, trauma center designations, and transfer of patients. Four credits. Course Corequisites
EMS 236
|
4 |
required | EMS 236 - Trauma Emergencies LabTeaches the skills necessary for the paramedic to effectively assess and treat patients with a variety of traumatic emergencies utilizing skills and simulation scenarios. Serves as the companion lab course for Paramedic Trauma Emergencies. One credit. Course Corequisites
EMS 235
|
1 |
required | EMS 237 - Paramedic Internship PrepReviews concepts and techniques used in the prehospital setting. Two credits. |
2 |
required | EMS 273 - Paramedic ClinicalOffers laboratory/clinical requirement for students enrolled in EMS 238 and/or EMS 240. Students will participate in clinical rotations at local hospitals where they will apply the Advanced Life Support skills taught in the related didactic courses. Students must be enrolled in EMS 238 and/or EMS 240 when taking this course. Zero to twelve credits. Course Prerequisites
Current CPR certification, applicable immunizations and a background check |
0 to 12 |
Students must take | (Students must take 6 credits of EMS 273) | |
required | EMS 280 - Internship I: ParamedicServes as the preceptor/internship program for paramedic students. Zero to 12 credits. Course Prerequisites
Current CPR certification, applicable immunizations, and a background check |
0 to 12 |
Students must take | (Students must take 6 credits of EMS 280) | |
required | EMS 281 - Paramedic Internship IIServes as the continuation of EMS 280, preceptor program for paramedic students. Zero to 12 credits. Course Prerequisites
Current CPR certification, applicable immunizations, and a background check |
0 to 12 |
Students must take | (Students must take 6 credits of EMS 281) | |
Total Degree Requirement Credits | 51 |
Row Groupings | General Education Requirements: | Credits |
---|---|---|
General Education Requirements: | Courses required for Paramedic A.A.S. degree. |
|
required | COM 115 - Public SpeakingCombines the basic theory of speech communication with public speech performance skills. Emphasis is on speech delivery, preparation, organization, support, and audience analysis. Three credits. |
3 |
required | COM 125 - Interpersonal Communication: GT-SS3Examines the communication involved in interpersonal relationships occurring in family, social and career situations. Relevant concepts include self-concept, perception, listening, nonverbal communication, and conflict. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Three credits. |
3 |
required | MAT 107 - Career MathCovers material designed for career and technical students who need to study particular mathematical topics. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, statistics, and graphs. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. This course may be used for the A.A.S. degree only. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Three credits. |
3 |
required | MAT 135 - Intro to Statistics [MA1]Introduces descriptive and inferential statistics, with an emphasis on critical thinking and statistical literacy. Topics include methods of data collection, presentation and summarization, introduction to probability concepts and distributions, and statistical inference of one and two populations. This course uses real world data to illustrate applications of a practical nature. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Three credits. |
3 |
required | ENG 121 - English Composition I [CO1]Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. May be taken concurrently with CCR 094. Three credits. |
3 |
required | POS 125 - American State/Local Gov.[SS1]Emphasizes the structure and function of state, county, and municipal governments including their relations with each other and with national government. Includes a study of Colorado government and politics. This course is a statewide guaranteed transfer course GT-SSI. Three credits. |
3 |
required | SOC 218 - Sociology of Diversity [SS3]Explores differences based on race, ethnicity, social class, gender, age, ability status, and sexual identity. Critically examines the dynamics of intergroup relations and how social construction of these differences can lead to patterns of prejudice, discrimination, and inequality nationally and globally. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Three credits. |
3 |
Total Required General Education Credits | 15 |
Total Credits for A.A.S. Degree | 66 |
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