Chris Lafferty, Program Coordinator/Instructor
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics are two distinct levels of responders who provide emergency medical services in an external-hospital environment. Often, these medical professionals utilize ambulance-based resources and operate under the direction of a medical control physician within well-established parameters of medical care. The Emergency Medical Science Academy at MCC offers entry-level students the opportunity to achieve their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. MCC also offers a Paramedic Program for students who already possess a valid EMT state certification and have completed Human Anatomy and Physiology I with a grade of “C” or better. All students must be 18 years or older and possess a high school diploma or GED certificate for consideration into the Emergency Medical Science Academy.
Meridian Community College is approved by the Mississippi State Board of Health through the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services to administer both EMT and Paramedic Education Programs. The curriculum used by MCC exceeds the National EMS Educational Standards developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A major portion of classroom instruction is devoted to understanding the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiological processes related to emergency medical care. Laboratory experiences are used to build on a competency-based instruction model to include patient assessment and management skills required for the treatment of life-threatening problems in patients of varying ages.
The Paramedic Program requires a substantial clinical practicum that involves caring for patients in a hospital emergency department and one that provides medical control to emergency medical responders. Additional clinical experiences may be found in specialized cardiac care units, intensive care units, obstetrical suites, operating theaters, psychiatric clinics, and other specialized care wards. Multiple practicum experiences are required while working with an approved ambulance service that provides advanced life-support services.
Upon successful completion of all required courses, students may participate in the National Registry’s examination process for EMT or Paramedic certification. Paramedic students may continue their education beyond the certification level and complete the general education courses required for the Associate of Applied Science degree.
The Meridian Community College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
Minimum Admission Requirements (In addition to general admission requirements):
Attain a 17 composite score on the ACT;
Or
Score 70 or above on the ACCUPLACER Reading Section and a 60 or above on the Arithmetic Section;
Or
Score a 251 or higher on the ACCUPLACER NG Reading Section and a 251 or higher on the ACCUPLACER NG Arithmetic Section;
Or
Complete 15 semester hours of program general education coursework with a “C” average or above at an accredited college or university. Developmental coursework credits do not meet this requirement;
And
Have a cumulative grade point average (cGPA) of 2.00 (“C” average) on all previous college coursework.
All applicants must meet with the program coordinator for approval prior to enrolling in the program.
A maximum of 20 students will be admitted.
Mississippi Law requires health care professionals or Workforce Education students enrolled in programs whose primary purpose is to prepare professionals to render patient care services to submit to criminal background checks and fingerprinting prior to beginning any clinical rotation in a licensed health care entity. If such fingerprinting or criminal background checks of the student disclose a felony conviction, guilty plea or plea of nolo contendere to a felony of possession or sale of drugs, murder, manslaughter, armed robbery, rape, sexual battery, sex offense listed in Section 45-33-23 (g), child abuse, arson, grand larceny, burglary, gratification of lust, aggravated assault or felonious abuse and/or battery of a vulnerable adult which has not been reversed on appeal or for which a pardon has not been granted, the student shall not be eligible to be admitted to such health program of study, nor will he/she be eligible to participate in clinical training in a licensed entity.
If a student currently enrolled in Emergency Technician and Emergency Medical Science Technology-Paramedic Program is prohibited from participating in clinical experiences by any clinical affiliate of Meridian Community College (e.g., positive drug screen, gregarious behavior, violation of patient safety, non-compliance with the College’s “Student Behavior Code”, etc.), then the student will be dismissed from the program of study. The student is not eligible for program readmission unless the clinical restriction is removed.
In addition to the disqualifying events listed in Section 37-29-232 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 annotated, clinical affiliates may, at their discretion, refuse to provide clinical experiences to any student whom the clinical affiliates feel are not suitable for employment or for the clinical experience setting.
Any drug conviction, bodily harm, neglect or abuse, or felony DUI conviction within a year of the starting date of class is cause for denial of the clinical experience setting. Any convictions more than a year beyond the starting date of class will be examined by the “Review Standards Committee” with a decision rendered if the student is allowed to participate in the clinical experience setting. Any charges pending a resolution will require documentation of disposition from the student.
Students are required to receive the Hepatitis-B vaccination (or present physician’s statement stating that this vaccination is not advisable). Students are also required to obtain a CPR Healthcare Provider (two-year) certification and proof of immunization for MMR and varicella. A Mantoux Two-Step TB Skin Test and drug screening will be scheduled after enrollment. All these conditions must be met prior to the start of clinical training.
All students admitted into the program will be required to pay for fingerprinting and background checks, which will be performed after admission and prior to the clinical practicum. These fees will be attached as registration fees. For additional information, please contact the EMS advisor.
To meet graduation requirements for this program, students must successfully complete the specified courses listed below with a “C” average (GPA of 2.00) or better. A grade of “C” or higher is required in each EMS course to progress in the program. All coursework must be passed.
To be considered full-time, students in the Emergency Medical Science Program must be enrolled in 15 or more semester credit hours at MCC.
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