Paramedic

Applications for the Fall 2022 Paramedic Cohort will open Spring 2022.

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Overview

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Looking for a career where no two days are the same? Can't imagine yourself sitting behind a desk every day? Do you enjoy helping people but don't want to have a typical 8-5 job? Becoming a Paramedic may be the career for you.

What is a Paramedic, and what do they do?

Paramedics are the highest trained class of Emergency Medical Technicians working in America. They are in-charge at the scene of an emergency and, when necessary, perform critical life-saving procedures both on location and during transport of patients to an Emergency Department. Paramedics can administer medications and perform other life-saving procedures such as intubation, surgical airways, cardiac monitoring and treatment of life-threatening rhythms with both medications and electricity.

Paramedics are trained to function independently and have standing orders for most complaints seen in the field.  Typical responses are for illnesses, such as a heart attack, stroke, massive infections, diabetic emergency or even child birth.  Traumatic injuries require the paramedic to manage shock from blood loss with IV Fluids and manage soft tissue injuries often seen in vehicle or industrial accidents.

Becoming a paramedic opens up a lot of opportunities to work on ambulances or within the fire service.  Paramedics also find employment at ski resorts, on cruise ships, in the oil field, or on medical helicopters.

 What characteristics do Paramedics need?

You must be able to solve problems and think on your feet in order to earn your certification or license. Paramedics are trained to perform their duties professionally at all times; even in the middle of the night when they’ve been on the job for 24 hours and haven’t had much sleep.

All paramedics must be able to maintain their composure during extremely stressful situations. This trait can be developed over time by honing their clinical skills, building trust with partners and understanding how to roll with the punches at the scene of an emergency.

 How do I become a Paramedic at Kenai Peninsula College?

Paramedic school is no joke and requires a lot of self-motivation and drive.  Before entering school, you must get your EMT certificate (offered each semester) and apply for program admission.  Selected students will spend a full year in classroom, skills labs, fire department ride-alongs, and hospital clinicals.  The Capstone component of the program is completed at large Advanced Life Support Services in the Lower-48 where the candidate spends 2-3 months in a working internship with licensed paramedic educators performing all of the skills of a paramedic.  The entire course takes approximately a year to complete the paramedic certificate, or a little longer if you are going to complete your AAS Degree in Paramedic Technology.

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 Degrees/Certificates

Accreditation

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The KPC Associate of Applied Science Paramedic program exceeds Alaska and National standards.

We are regionally accredited by: the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program.

The Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Professions (CoAEMSP).

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• Paramedic Student Handbook
• Paramedic Technology Advisory Board

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  Faculty/Advisors

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