Help People When They Need It Most with a Career as a Paramedic!

} High-demand job skill for the next 15 years

} Excellent pay and a variety of work schedules

} Rewarding work as the first link in the chain of healthcare providers

LEARN MORE TODAY! Contact an advisor in the School of

Health, Wellness & Public Safety,call (505) 224-4111 or visit cnm.edu/ems

Program SpecificsPROGRAM PROFICIENCIES See CNM Catalog at cnm.edu for the most current program information.Click the link for Course Catalog/Addendum, go to Enrolling at CNM and choose Program Proficiency and Prerequisite Guide.• Coordinated Entry Program• English 2 Proficiency • Reading 2 Proficiency• Math 2 Proficiency or MATH 1310 (recommended)

REQUIRED PROGRAM COURSES CREDITSBIO 1410 Biology for Health Sciences 3EMS 1053 EMT Basic Theory 6and EMS 1093 EMT Basic Lab 2and EMS 1190 EMT Basic Clinical 1orEMS 1412 Advanced EMT (EMT-I) Theory 6and EMS 1493 Advanced EMT (EMT-I) Lab 2and EMS 1890 Advanced EMT (EMT-I) Clinical 2ENG 1101 College Writing 3HLTH 1001 Clinical Preparation 1MATH 1210 Methods of Problem Solving or higher (except MATH 2110) 4(MATH 1315 recommended if planning on transferring to a 4-year degree)PSY 1105 Introduction to Psychology 3 TERM 1 (SUMMER OR FALL ONLY) CREDITSEMS 2103 Human Systems Pathophysiology and Development 3or BIO 2310 Human Anatomy and Physiology II(Must be current within the past 5 years)EMS 2203 Drug Calculations 1EMS 2207 Legal Issues and Report Writing 2EMS 2213 Endocrine and GI/GU Theory 1EMS 2217 Pharmacology Theory 3 EMS 2223 Advanced Trauma Theory 3 EMS 2293 Advanced Trauma Lab 2

TERM 2 CREDITSEMS 2303 Cardiovascular Theory 3EMS 2307 Respiratory Theory 2EMS 2313 Neurological Theory 2 EMS 2380 Clinical Review I (CR/NC) 1EMS 2390 Hospital Clinical I 2 EMS 2393 Paramedic Lab I 3 EMS 2490 Prehospital Field Clinical I 3 TERM 3 CREDITS EMS 2503 Pediatric and Gynecology Theory 3EMS 2507 Environmental Theory 3EMS 2513 Behavioral Emergencies and Communication 1 EMS 2580 Clinical Review II 1EMS 2590 Hospital Clinical II 1 EMS 2593 Paramedic Lab II 2 EMS 2690 Prehospital Field Clinical II 4 EMS 2999 Paramedic Capstone 1 Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services, Paramedic 72-74

Brochure funded by the Carl D. Perkins Career Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 and the

New Mexico Public Education Department

School of Health, Wellness & Public SafetyPATHWAYS to SUCCESS in HEALTHCARE: Paramedic

Associate Degree - 5 termsTransfers to Bachelor’s Degree Program at the University of New Mexico

In support of sustainability at CNM this publication is printed on Recycled Paper.

COORDINATED ENTRY PROGRAMStudents must complete an application process through the Coordinated Program Entry Office and be selected to enter this program. Students are encouraged to enroll in the Pre-Health Science Pre-Paramedic program while they take prerequisites and prepare to apply. Please visit cnm.edu/programentry for information on the application process.

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Why a Career as a Paramedic?

Do you enjoy helping people in emergency situations? A career as a paramedic might be right for you. Paramedics work in ambulance services, fire departments or hospitals. They work a variety of schedules including days, nights, weekends and holidays. Paramedics are in good physical condition because they are required to climb and lift as part of their job.The first link in the chain of health care providers, paramedics care for patients and transport them to a medical facility.

Central New Mexico Community College offers an EMS-Paramedic associate degree. The CNM program is a leader in the nationwide trend toward degrees instead of certificates for paramedic training. After students satisfy the prerequisites and gain admission, the program takes five terms to complete. The EMS program includes classroom instruction, lab time and clinical experience.

Program at a Glance

When students successfully complete the core required program courses (see back page), they will be eligible to take the National Registry Paramedic Test.

Completion of the AAS Degree allows students to transfer to the Bachelor’s Degree program at the University of New Mexico, which offers three tracks of study: Management, Clinical (Community and Public Health) and Austere and Wilderness (providing care where there is not an emergency room or medical center nearby). The higher degree provides more opportunities for career advancement.

Students spend approximately 20-24 hours per week in class. They will be scheduled for additional clinical shifts outside of class. The final two terms include field clinical experience with local EMS services. It is recommended that students not work more than 20 hours a week when taking the EMS classes.

Multiple Career Pathways

CNM has three other options for students seeking a career in emergency medical services.

1. Progress from EMS-Basic to earn the EMS-Intermediate Certificate of Completion.

2. Earn the AA Degree in Pre-Health Sciences with a concentration in Pre-Emergency Medical Services for transfer to UNM or another four-year school.

3. Earn an AAS Degree at CNM in Fire Science with a concentration in Emergency Medical Services.

Future Outlook for EMS

The EMS field is expected to grow significantly over the next 15 years, both in New Mexico and across the country. The entry-level salary for paramedics is $38,000-$45,000. Senior or supervising paramedics can earn up to $58,000 or more.

Paramedics have several advancement options in the health care field. Some EMTs and paramedics become managers, instructors, dispatchers or physician assistants, or move into sales or marketing of emergency medical equipment; others continue their education to become nurses and doctors.