Paramedic Graduates Off To A Great Start

Madisonville Community College's first Paramedic Technology program graduates are off to a strong start. Three of the four December 2013 graduates have sat for and successfully passed the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (NREMTP) Examination on their first attempt. They are now eligible for licensure by the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services. The remaining graduate is scheduled to test in May.

Program graduate Susan Boswell was the first to test and pass the NREMTP exam. "Since receiving my EMT certification in 2008, I wanted to get my Paramedic license and Madisonville Community College gave me that chance. I felt really excited to be accepted into the first Paramedic class, shared Boswell. She is employed with Medical Center Ambulance Service; her future plans include expanding her knowledge in the field by obtaining her Critical Care Paramedic license in summer 2014.

The Paramedic Technology Program enables students to gain a unique and in-depth experience in the emergency health services. Through a rigorous process of academic and clinical applications, they are prepared to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of an EMS Paramedic as pertaining to the care and transportation of the ill and injured.

Students are required to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, sound moral and ethical character, critical thinking abilities, and the capacity for making quick and appropriate decisions regarding patient care and management. As professional healthcare providers, paramedic graduates are taught how to interact effectively with other emergency services personnel, to be dynamic leaders, to value life-long learning and personal development, to be of service within their communities, and above all to respect and sustain human life. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be well prepared to assume their duties as a patient advocate working always to act on behalf of those in need.

Tim Martin, MCC's Paramedic Technology program coordinated, stated, "I am pleased with our Paramedic program graduates. These students worked hard and showed great discipline with their studies. Each student participated in a two part National Registry exam. The first exam was skill competencies where each student had to demonstrate competency in multiple stations and pass oral exams with two physicians. The second part was the written exam that tested students on areas such as trauma, cardiac, obstetrics, and many other areas of emergency medicine. The written test challenges their knowledge, application, and problem solving skills.

Being a paramedic is a very rewarding job. Paramedics not only save lives but also make a difference in all of the people they come in contact with. They enjoy the independence of being a respected health care professional in the field while also working as a team with all of the different emergency services, noted Martin.

The second class of program students are currently completing coursework and will be testing in May 2015. For additional information on the Paramedic Technology program, visit MCC's website at Madisonville.kctcs.edu or contact Martin at 270.824.1752.