Paramedic Education Program

Academics

At Pro EMS Center for MEDICS, we believe that all paramedic interns need leadership skills, and that leadership is inherent in the role of the professional paramedic.

The didactic portion of the Paramedics Program is divided into ten modules.

The first module serves as a foundation to the future practice of paramedicine. It represents a transition from EMT-Basic to a higher level of learning, where students are expected to take much greater responsibility for their education. 

The main functions of this foundation module include:

• Providing an essential grounding in topics allied to paramedicine
• Developing the necessary IT skills to operate effectively within the Center for MEDICS 
• Ensuring that all students develop good study habits and learning techniques appropriate to their educational needs.

As a result, no clinical or field experiences are scheduled during this module.

Modules two, three and four are the first clinical paramedicine modules. The interns become familiar with patient assessment and airway management techniques, as well as pharmacology.

At the completion of module three, the interns begin to rotate through the operating room, and must record 10 live tracheal intubations to satisfy programmatic and State of Massachusetts certification requirements.

Modules five, six and seven introduce the interns to medicine and trauma care. During this pre-clinical phase, all paramedic interns accompany the program Medical Director on ED teaching rounds, and gain additional exposure to the clinical environment by attending morbidity and mortality rounds.

Modules eight and nine instruct paramedic interns on lifespan development, from embryology to geriatrics. At the completion of this module, the interns embark on a 10-week, 250-hour structured hospital practicum.

The Center for MEDICS curriculum recognizes the value of providing students with opportunities that reach outside the structured teaching program. To this end, electives are facilitated, encouraging students to study and gain experience in a wide range of extracurricular clinical environments.

Upon completion of the hospital clinical practicum, the interns begin a 10-week, 250-hour EMS field practicum.

The first portion of the hours is conducted at Pro EMS, where the intern is assigned to a paramedic preceptor who is a member of the paramedic program teaching faculty. Initially, the student works on developing core competency skills. They then will act as the clinical team leader on every patient care interaction. Throughout the entire process, close attention is paid to the number and diversity of patient exposures by the paramedic intern. Adjustments are made as necessary.

During the remaining field hours, the intern is encouraged to precept in an alternative high-volume, clinically sophisticated EMS service. In many cases, this is conducted out of state and provides the intern with a broader perspective on EMS system design and operation.

During the field internship, students attend class one day per week. This allows everyone to recreate cases actually encountered in the field. Through high-fidelity simulation, students can reenact those cases in a low stakes environment to hone their leadership skills.

Additionally, through a collection of readings, activities, and small-group projects, paramedic interns are provided with the opportunity to witness, analyze, and practice leadership skills. Readings cover relevant theories of leadership. Activities allow them to witness and critique others in leadership roles.

Finally, small-group projects allow students to create their own ideas of strong leadership and practice in a low-stakes setting.

Through this series of exercises, the Center for MEDICS aims to provide students with the skills to frequently and critically analyze themselves, and their environments, to become the paramedic leaders that they strive to be.

Fisher College Credits Available
In addition to the EMS certifications received upon completion of the Paramedic Program, Center for MEDICS students also are eligible to receive 30 college credits towards a degree at Fisher College in Boston.