Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Department permission required. Contact PCC EMS Department for instructions and application packet. Apply to PCC and to the Paramedic program of study. There is a $30 non-refundable Paramedic program application fee. PCC applications are available at any admissions office and the Paramedic program application is available at the Public Service Education Building admissions office. Include official transcripts, immunization verification, current Oregon EMT, AEMT, or Intermediate license, current American Heart Association Basic Life Support Health Care Provider card, satisfactory completion of Math 60/65 and Writing 121 (grade of C or higher within five years prior to receiving a degree), letters of recommendation and EMS experience history. Only complete applications are accepted and qualified applicants will be selected for an oral interview. Completion of prerequisites and the application process does not guarantee admission.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Synthesize facts and principles from the biophysical-psychosocial sciences throughout human development in the assessment and communication process for patients of all ages.
2. Identify the paramedic’s roles and legal/ethical issues that impact decisions made in the out-of-hospital environment.
3. Integrate pathophysiological principles of pharmacology and assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement a pharmacologic management plan.
4. Integrate pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement the treatment plan for clients/patients with a variety of traumatic injuries, body system problems, diseases, medical emergencies, and behavioral/psychiatric disorders throughout the life span.

Objectives are met through integrated lecture and lab activities that allow for a gradual progression to complex depth and comprehensive breadth of EMS knowledge, training, and competency.  Emphasis on strong interpersonal skills, critical thinking abilities, good decision-making skills, and the capacity for making quick and appropriate judgments regarding patient care.

Student mastery is evaluated by written quizzes, section examinations, and final examination; psychomotor skill competency evaluation and final exam; and affective evaluations. Additional critical activities include case study review, simulation lab competency, small group sessions, problem based learning and volunteer/community service verification.

Subject Matter, Concepts, Themes, Issues:
The course content follows the design and objectives of the Paramedic National Emergency Medical Services Standard Competencies.

• Section 1 Preparatory
  • EMS Systems
  • Workforce Safety and Wellness
  • Public Health
  • Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues
  • EMS Communications
  • Documentation
• Section 2  The Human Body and Human Systems
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Pathophysiology
  • Life Span Development
• Section 3  Pharmacology
  • Principles of Pharmacology
  •   Medication Administration
  • Emergency Medications
• Section 4  Patient Assessment
  • Patient Assessment
  • Critical Thinking and Clinical Decision Makin
• Section 5  Airway Management
  • Airway Management and Ventilation
• Section 6  Medical
  • Respiratory Emergencies
  • Cardiovascular Emergencies
  • Neurologic Emergencies
  • Diseases of the Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat
  • Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Emergencies
  • Genitourinary and Renal Emergencies