Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon successful completion, the student should be able to:

• Perform the communication functions of the job of Paramedic.

The material in this course will be presented in lecture format. Other educationally sound methods may be employed such as discussion, guest lectures, role playing, group projects, communication and documentation exercises.

At the beginning of the course, the instructor will detail the methods used to evaluate student progress and the criteria for assigning a course grade. The methods may include one or more of the following tools: written and practical skills examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, small group problem solving of questions arising from application of course concepts and concerns to actual experience, research and writing assignments, and role playing.

I. Communication

a. Communication component of patient care
b. Interview strategies
c. Components of EMS radio and telephone systems
d. State and federal regulations (including FCC regulations)
e. 9-1-1 systems
f.  Dispatch center operations
g. Interagency communication, e.g.. HEAR system, medical control, etc.
h. Medical control
i.  New technologies in EMS communications
j.  Professional perception/credibility

II. Documentation
a. Uses of EMS documentation
b. Principles of proper documentation
c. Types of documentation, e.g.. Written, electronic, recording/dictation
d. Document revision and correction
e. Documentation of patient refusals
f.  Special considerations considering mass casualty incident documentation
g. Professional perception/credibility