Gain in-demand certifications to advance your career as a first-responder
Paramedics provide more extensive pre-hospital care than do EMT-Basics. Paramedics administer medications orally and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal intubations, and use monitors and other complex equipment. Emergency medical care is required 24 hours a day, so paramedics often must work odd hours and be on call for long periods of time. Emergency medical personnel employed with private ambulance services work an average of 45 to 50 hours per week; with hospitals they work 45 to 60 hours a week; and those with fire departments average about 50 hours per week.
All fifty states require EMTs and paramedics to be certified. In most states, certificate renewal is required every two to three years, and EMTs and paramedics must take refresher training courses or complete continuing education requirements. Many states restrict certification based on an individual’s criminal history.
In 2010, the Ohio State Board of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) adopted the national accreditation of the state’s paramedic training programs, requiring all Paramedic programs must be affiliated with an institution of higher education by 2013. Although the State of Ohio has been granted an extension on this requirement through 2017, Mercy College believes the timely development of an accredited program will benefit both students and the community, providing those with EMT certification in the State of Ohio the opportunity to gain national certification and be able to practice anywhere in the United States.
The Mercy College of Ohio paramedic certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Program content has been developed using curriculum and material defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration EMT-Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic National Standard Curriculum and CoAEMSP under the auspices of CAAHEP. The program received accreditation from the State of Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Medical Services, as of June 2011 (OH-22).
Program At A Glance
Scholarships available
up to $4000 of tuition covered
$34,320
estimated salary for a paramedic in 2018
45–60 hours/week
average time spent working in this occupation
24-hour shift accommodation schedule
convenient for working EMTs
Access to cadaver and simulation labs
Anatomy and Physiology for the Prehospital Provider
The fully online, instructor-led eight-week course meets the State of Ohio Anatomy and Physiology requirement for Paramedic program admission.
Learn MoreProgram Overview
Students who complete the Paramedic certificate program will be able to:
- Demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills in a pre-hospital environment.
- Demonstrate clinical competence in performing pre-hospital assessment in a professional manner of the ill or injured victim.
- Use effective communication skills.
- Successfully complete the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination.
In addition to the general college admission criteria, the following requirements must also be met:
- Applicants must submit proof of a current and valid Emergency Medical Technician certificate from the State of Ohio.
- Applicants must complete CED ES01, Anatomy and Physiology for Prehospital Providers, or its equivalent, with a grade of “C” or better, or have a passing grade from a similar learning experience that meets the requirements from OAC 4765-17-04 and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), with Program Lead approval.
Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and titers/immunizations are required prior to the start of the clinical program. Program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/background. The Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.
To complete the Paramedic Certificate students must fulfill all of the following:
Required Program Courses
Complete All of the Following Courses:
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| EMS 113 | Pre-Hospital Clinical Practicum I | 2 |
| EMS 114 | Paramedic I | 9 |
| EMS 121 | Pre-Hospital Clinical Practicum II | 2 |
| EMS 123 | Paramedic II | 9 |
| EMS 132 | Pre-Hospital Capstone Field Practicum | 2 |
| EMS 137 | Paramedic III | 9 |
Semester I
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| EMS 113 | Pre-Hospital Clinical Practicum I | 2 |
| EMS 114 | Paramedic I | 9 |
Semester II
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| EMS 121 | Pre-Hospital Clinical Practicum II | 2 |
| EMS 123 | Paramedic II | 9 |
Semester III
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| EMS 132 | Pre-Hospital Capstone Field Practicum | 2 |
| EMS 137 | Paramedic III | 9 |
Paramedic Program Outcomes Data
Outcomes DataCareer Outlook
Employment Growth
Career opportunities in the field of Emergency Medical Services continue to expand as the field is shifting away from volunteer services toward paid professionals and the population grows and becomes more urbanized. Job growth through 2020 is projected to be much faster than average [Bureau of Labor Statistics].
As the baby boomer generation ages, they will require more medical services, spurring more demand for paramedics. Additional job openings will come as current paramedics leave the field because of modest pay, limited advancement opportunities, and stressful conditions. Private ambulance services will provide the biggest number of jobs; competition is keen for the higher-paying jobs found in local fire departments. EMT-Paramedics have the best opportunities as people demand better and better care.
Salary Range
The estimated salary for a paramedic in 2018 was $34,320. Although, wages may vary from state to state and based on the type of emergency medical service by which one is employed.