A paramedic is a person who provides advanced life support to persons at the site of an illness or injury or en route to a hospital facility. While most are employed by Fire/EMS agencies, some paramedics are employed by health care facilities. They function under the direct supervision of an Emergency Department Physician or Registered Nurse and are certified by the state as an EMS provider.
The U.S. Department of Labor's job description for a paramedic is here.
What is the difference between an EMT and a Paramedic?
EMT's receive approximately 150 hours of education. Although they can use automatic external defibrillators, they do not have any advanced pharmacological training. Most treatment is protocol based.
Paramedics receive more than 1500 hours of education and are expected to utilize concepts of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and patient assessment to develop a field impression and create a treatment plan. Professional behavior (affective domain) and critical thinking skills are demanded.
Is there an age requirement for EMT or Paramedic?
Yes. To be certified in Utah as an EMT, you must be 18 years of age at the time of certification.
Do I have to be an EMT first?
Yes. Per Utah regulation, EMT must be accomplished before taking paramedic. EMT can be taken at WSU or any state-approved location. For non-WSU courses, credit can be transferred by providing a Utah certification card and transfer fee of $10.00. Currently a student must complete 30 credit hours at WSU for EMT (PAR 1000/1001) to be applied to the transcript. Please note you must have a state certification or licensure in order to participate in paramedic education. A National Registry of EMT's card without a corresponding state certification or licensure will not be accepted.
Do I need to have a year of EMS experience to enter paramedic?
The Utah Bureau of EMS recently relaxed its regulation requiring a year of EMS experience. However, we have found students with EMS experience tend to have a jump start on team leadership and assessment skills. WSU provides an EMT field internship experience by taking the PAR 1005/1006 courses. Students must have completed a college advising appointment, the specified prerequisites, and departmental approval in order to take PAR 1005/1006. Please note, for the greatest chance of success, students taking the evening course should possess a solid background of ambulance based, EMS experience due to the fact skills may not be presented in a "skills camp" until 4-6 weeks after didactic presentation in class.
Are there other prerequisites?
- For a complete list of paramedic program prerequisites, click here.
- Prerequistes must be completed BEFORE starting the paramedic program!
- Entrance testing must be completed prior to May 15 for application consideration!
Why does Weber require 8 credits of Anatomy and Physiology (A&P)?
In 1999, the National Standard Paramedic Curriculum moved to an assessment based management model for paramedic practice. By 2005, Weber recognized that our onlline, 4 credit, Anatomy and Physiology for Paramedic Practice (HTHS 1115) was no longer strong enough for this curriculum and/or the successful completion of the National Registry Paramedic Exam. Weber as a degree granting institution also recognized HTHS 1115 did not articulate well into the AAS degree, or as a prerequisite in the additional pursuit of an Allied Health or Nursing degree. In 2010, the National EMS Education Standards were released with the paramedic expected to possess a "complex depth and comprehensive breadth of knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of human systems." Weber strongly believes the 8 credits of "matched set" A&P is a significant component to the fact that 99% of our graduates pass the National Registry Paramedic Exam on the first attempt with the minimum amount of questions. Students with non-conforming or "mismatched" A&P from other schools may competency test ("test out") of HTHS 1110/1111 by calling 801-626-6505.
Is there a selection process?
During most years the paramedic program has been able to give acceptance to all QUALIFIED applicants. In the event applicants outnumber slots available the following selection criteria will be used:
- Initial "yes/no" ranking of students making the 75% cut score on the entrance exam
- Secondary ranking will utilize "overall GPA" on the transcript
- Tertiary ranking will be to those with completed AAS degree support courses
- MATH 1010, ENGL 1010, HTHS 2230, PSYC 1010, SOC 1020 and HLTH 3400
- If needed, additional ranking will utilize the overall grade average achieved in A&P
- Additional "tie breakers" will include entry test attempts and date of application
- 6 slots will be held until July 1 for Fire/EMS agency sponsored students.
- 1 slot will be held until July 1 for a qualified veteran
What are the employment opportunities?
EMT employment in out-of-hospital care areas such as fire, police, ambulance, ski patrol and security positions as well as hospital emergency departments. Paramedics are employed in fire, police, EMS agencies and health care facilities. While employment opportunities on the Wasatch Front remain good, students willing to relocate will find opportunities outstanding.
What are starting salaries of graduates?
In Utah, starting salaries are $12,000 to $30,000 for EMT's and $35,000 to $60,000 for paramedics. Agencies in other parts of the nation have higher pay scales.
Why choose paramedic education at WSU?
WSU’s Department of Emergency Care & Rescue (EC&R) has been nationally accredited for more than 25 years, making it the first accredited program in Utah and one of the first in the nation. More than 95 percent of WSU’s paramedics are employed upon graduation. Our graduates are sought after to apply for positions throughout the nation. WSU does not require prior EMS agency experience in order to be considered for the paramedic program. The first time pass rate on the National Registry Exam is 98%, highest in Utah and in the top tier in the nation. WSU has not had a first time failure on the NREMT exam since 2010. Weber also significantly leads the state and nation in "above passes" for each of the exam topical areas.
What degrees/certificates are available?
The EC&R department offers programs to obtain an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paramedic Studies, an Institutional Certificate for paramedic and upon successful testing a Utah Bureau of EMS certificate for EMT. Student may also consider pursuit of a Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree. http://www.weber.edu/bis/
What will I learn in the program?
In the EMT program you will learn basic life support, patient assessment and treatment modalities following the U.S. Department of Transportation and Utah State Department of Health standards for certification. Students that successfully complete the program are eligible to take the National Registry EMT test at an additional cost.
In the paramedic program you will learn advanced life support concepts and techniques following the U.S. Department of Transportation, Utah State Department of Health, and National Registry of EMT-'s standards for certification. WSU teaches the National Standard Paramedic Curriculum of 1999 fully enhanced with the 2010 EMS Education Standards. 2010 AHA Guidelines are also taught. Students that successfully complete the program will take the National Registry of EMT's Paramedic exams to become certified in Utah.
Why do I need to come in or call for college advising?
Paramedics are rapidly becoming health care professionals. Academic advisement helps you make decisions that are best for your immediate and long-term career goals. Advisement also can save you time and money by plotting the most effective curriculum map based on your goals. Contact Admissions Advisor Doug Watson (801-626-6128; healthprofessions@weber.edu) for an appointment.
Do I have to register (become admitted) to Weber State University?
Yes. In order to take any classes at WSU and have transcripts evaluated and you must be admitted. Go to weber.edu and click "Get Into Weber."
Class starts - application deadlines?
EMT (PAR 1000 and 1001) courses start at the beginning of Fall, Spring and usually Summer semesters. Students may register online and are accepted as long as space is available.
Both day and evening Paramedic courses start each Fall semester. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications early even if prerequisites are not completed. Applications are due May15th. You must select your first choice of either "day" or "evening" programs. After May 15th, admiissions will continue over the summer on a space available basis. Applications for the Fall 2012 class close on August 6. Please contact the department at 801-626-6521 for details. An application may be found on the home page.
What is the cost of the program? (Tuition - Books - Uniforms - Applications - Incidentals)
In 2012, the typical cost for core paramedic education was approximately $5,000.00 for the 2 semester day course and $8,700.00* for the four semester evening course. This amount can vary greatly based on the type and number of prerequisite courses you need and your method of completion. See WSU's Costs & Deadlines site for a breakdown of university tuition and fees, along with links to financial aid and scholarship information to help find money to pay for your education.
* Due to the "extended" four semester format of the evening program, the 13-18 credit "bonus" enjoyed by the campus (day) class is not available.
In addition to standard WSU tuition and fees, students in paramedic program can expect some or all of the following additional expenses:
- University and college application fees (approx. $60)
- Graduation application fee ($30)
- Textbooks (approximately $600)
- Uniforms (approximately $100)
- Criminal background check (approximately $50)
- Fingerprinting (approximately $30)
- Drug testing (approximately $35)
- State application and NREMT-P test fees (approximately $375)
- Clinical and Field Internship forms mailing costs ($100)
- Clinical and field travel/meals dependent on location.
Can I receive experiential credit?
Emergency Medical Technician. EMT on a formal college transcript from a regionally accredited school will transfer for credit and grade. Students that have Utah EMT certification from a non-academic source may obtain credit but no grade upon completion of 30 "in-house" WSU credits.
Advanced EMT. (Old EMT-I, I-85, or I-99) WSU does not offer experiential credit or accelerated progression for EMT-I or IA students. Three reasons: 1) the quality of the courses around Utah and the nation are so variable we cannot assume the required competencies were mastered; 2) When the 1999 National Standard Curriculum came out, EMT-I no longer meshed correctly in a "stair-step" approach. 3) Paramedic level practice involves heavy use of assessment based management and critical thinking. For these reasons WSU reteaches the entire Intermediate curriculum as part of the paramedic program.
Paramedic - As a general rule, WSU does not offer experiential credit for paramedic, however each case will be reviewed on an individual basis. Grades less than B- will not be considered and competency verification testing may be required. Students coming from a CoAEMSP accredited program receive highest favor. Should a paramedic candidate wish to transfer paramedic credit from an uncompleted course of study, a release form must be signed for WSU to contact the previous program. Students with affective domain, legal, and/or ethical issues from the previous program may not be suitable for for admission to the WSU program.
Military / Veterans - Military personnel with a valid National Registry EMT card can be awarded reciprocity by the Utah Bureau of EMS and then apply for WSU transcript credit as stated above. Due to the extreme variability of armed forces medical training, military/veteran candidates will be reviewed on an individual basis. Since military training at times does not closely articulate with civilian offerings, course competency testing in Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Terminology and other areas may be required. Per accreditation standards, military/veteran candidates must meet the same prerequisite requirements as civilian students prior to participating in the paramedic core courses.
How much time is involved with field internship?
Successful completion of field internship is a combination of 480 hours (minimum) and 50 competent ALS Team Leads. THIS REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT COMMITTMENT. Students may have to perfrom additional hours to achieve the 50 ALS Team Leads. To successfully complete field internship a student MUST commit to an agency standard A, B, or C shift with the same preceptor and vehicle. Field agency shifts are 12 hour day's, 24/48's and 48/96's. Students are not allowed to "mix and match" preceptors and shifts.
Can I continue to work during the paramedic education sequence?
Students taking the campus (day) class will have a 17 credit load in the fall and 19 credits in the spring. Full time work or additional course load is not recommended. Limited part time work may be considered. Due to the rigorous nature of the program and limited internship availability, class, skill lab, clinical and field internship schedules will NOT be adjusted to accommodate a student's work schedule. Field internship requires a student to commmit to a standard agency A, B, or C shift and complete field riding and the program by April 30th.
Students taking the evening (distance) course have 4 semesters to complete the program. Limited full time employment may be considered. The program is delivered in an "extended" classroom format. The program was never intended nor desinged for students to attend class while on duty or to be delivered in a single student, "at home" method. Students are required to attend all of the interactive evening broadcast classes. Due to the rigorous nature of the program and limited internship availability, class, the 3 skills camps, clinical and field internship schedules will NOT be adjusted to accommodate a student's work schedule. Students must make arrangements with their EMS agency to be freed from "first line" response to calls if attending on a working shift. Lectures are no longer placed on the internet for review. Field internship requires a student to commmit to a standard agency A, B, or C shift and complete the field riding and the program by December 10 of the 4th semester. Students will NOT be extended.
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