Paramedic Program

Applications for the January 2024 Paramedic Program will be accepted until Oct. 6.

Click here to access the course brochure.

Overview:

SCCAD’s Training Academy offers a Paramedic Program beginning in August and January each year.  The August class meets most Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The January class meets most Mondays and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The primary instructor for the Paramedic Program is Mike Hall, BS, EMT-P and the Co-Instructor/Program Director is Dean Meenach, MSN, RN, EMT-P.  Many other qualified instructors and adjuncts lend their expertise to this program.

The SCCAD 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 Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

To contact CAAHEP:

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

727-210-2350

www.caahep.org

To contact CoAEMSP:

214-703-8445

www.coaemsp.org

 

Paramedic Program Outcomes:

GRADUATION YEARNREMT-WRITTEN
(First Attempt)		NREMT-WRITTEN
(Three Attempts)		NREMT-PracticalRETENTIONPLACEMENT
202093%100%100%93%100%
202191%100%100%82%100%
202296%96%100%93%96%

Admission Pre-Requisites:

  • Current Missouri EMT-B license
  • Two letters of recommendation from employers, instructors or community leaders
  • High school transcript
  • ALL College transcripts (if applicable)
  • Complete an entrance exam (applicant must pay the $5 non-refundable test fee)
  • Current AHA Healthcare Provider CPR certification
  • Complete Human Biology Course Number BIO 110 (no lab required) at St. Charles Community College or equivalent anatomy & physiology class approved by program director
  • Complete a course interview
  • Submit a course application by the program deadline
  • Upon acceptance, additional health and screening criteria must be met, including drug screen, criminal record check, Family Services Disqualification List, and Office of the Inspector General Disqualification list and verification student can meet the technical job requirements (see below). Proof of health insurance and specific vaccines are required.
      • Current TB test (Documentation of two negative TB skin tests within last 12 months, or one TB blood test.  These are two TB skin tests with the second TST repeated 7-21 days after first TB skin test is read.)
      • Hepatitis B and MMR vaccination
      • Tetanus/diphtheria Acellular-Pertussis (DTaP) vaccination
      • COVID-19 vaccine is NOT required, but preferred (submit a copy of card)
        • Note: some clinical sites require COVID-19 vaccination. Exemptions may be granted. Students are responsible for requesting exemptions from each clinical site and must provide SCCAD with exemption documentation. Contact Ms. Price at [email protected] for more information.
      • Varicella vaccination or positive titers
      • Current season’s influenza vaccination (when available)
  • SCCAD does not offer advanced placement for licensed health care personnel (e.g. RNs, MDs, PAs) except for Military EMTs or Advanced EMTs pursuant to Missouri State regulations.  Candidates who are current or past (honorably discharged) members of the United States Armed Forces including the National Guard and Reserves will be individually assessed for prior learning to determine which, if any, military courses and work experiences will be recognized toward meeting the program requirements – ALL program attendees must meet all program requirements.

Technical Standards

To perform adequately and safely in the classroom, hospital, and pre-hospital clinical areas, the student must meet the following functional capabilities.

Motor

  1. Must be able to stand, walk, squat, crawl, kneel, bend/stoop, reach above shoulder level, use standing balance, and climb stairs.
  2. Reach with hands and arms above the shoulders and over 18 inches, reaching below the shoulders and to the floor. Lift/carry up to 50 lbs. Exert up to 37.5 lbs. force to push or 33.5 lbs. to pull.
  3. Use hands repetitively with manual dexterity sufficient to finger, handle and feel; fine motor function to manipulate needles and start IVs.
  4. Must be able to walk and stand for prolonged periods of time.
  5. Perform CPR according to current AHA guidelines
  6. Travel to and from class and clinical sites in a timely manner.

Sensory

  1. Must hear verbal communication face-to-face and by telephone or radio.
  2. Must have sufficient aural keenness to evaluate blood pressure, and breath or heart sounds.
  3. Visual abilities to include: close vision distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to read information from a computer screen, documents or charts; interpret colorimetric diagnostic indicators and visual warning devices; read warning placards and perform scene size-up from a distance; perform visual examination of patient.

Communication

  1. Communicates fluently in English verbally and in writing.
  2. Retrieves information from lectures, textbooks, and computer aids.
  3. Adapts communication for intended audience.
  4. Interacts with people from a variety of social, cultural, emotional and intellectual backgrounds.
  5. Functions effectively under supervision.
  6. Computer skills to include: accessing the internet, using a word processing program and receiving and sending email

Problem-Solving

  1. Functions effectively in a stressful situation.
  2. Responds appropriately to emergency situations.
  3. Can reason, measure, calculate, prioritize and synthesize data to problem-solve while performing patient care activities.
  4. Uses sound judgment and safety precautions.
  5. Organizes and prioritizes job tasks.

Clinical Requirements

Presently, the field clinical sites include SCCAD and several other fire and ambulance district sites.  Hospital clinicals are completed at several area health centers.  In addition to classroom hours, successful completion of ambulance calls, patient assessments, skills and teams leads and approximately 300 hours of hospital or community clinical time and 450 hours of ambulance time are required for course completion.

Program Completion

Students who successfully complete all components of the program will be eligible to take the National Registry of EMTs written and practical exams (additional fees apply).  After the student passes both exams, he or she will be eligible for licensure as a Paramedic in the State of Missouri.

Graduates of the SCCAD program will be certified in: Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support, Advanced Medical Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation Provider.

College Credits

Presently, SCCAD has an agreement with St. Charles Community College (SCCC). After successful SCCAD & MO state paramedic license completion, the graduate will be eligible for up to 30 hours at SCCC to transfer to the Associate if Applied Science, Emergency Medical Science Degree. During the paramedic program students are not enrolled at SCCC therefore, no college financial aid is available.

Additional Information

To learn more about the Paramedic program, to request an admission packet or to schedule an appointment to discuss paramedic training, contact Becky Price, Training Assistant at 636.344.7663 or Dean Meenach, Division Chief of Education, at [email protected].  If you provide us with your name and contact information, we will update you with relevant information about the program.

Course Fees

$11,595.00 plus book fees (paid over three semesters).

$600-$900 (approximate for 3 semesters, depending on student choice). Books are not included in tuition and are the responsibility of the student.

Eligible applicants may qualify for tuition assistance under the GI Bill®.

This program is not a regionally accredited college or university.  Students are not eligible for federal financial aid and this program cannot issue a 1098-T for tax reporting purposes.

GI Bill® Payment

Students eligible for program payment through the GI Bill® must provide the school with a certificate of eligibility or valid VAF 28-1905 in lieu of the initial payment.  The student may attend class for up to 90 days while payment from the Veteran’s administration is pending.  No penalties or late fees will be assessed to eligible students for late payment from the VA.

‘‘GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.”

Refund Policy (per semester)

Withdrawal DateRefund Amount
Prior to first semester class start dateFull tuition refund less $250 processing fee
Prior to second or third semester start dateFull tuition refund for dropped semester
Withdrawal within 3 weeks after semester start date80% tuition refund
Withdrawal >3 weeks until 9th week of semester40% tuition refund

*No refund on textbooks

Refunds to veterans or eligible persons who fail to enter or fail to complete the course will comply with the Department of Veterans Affair Regulations, CFR 21.4255.