About the Program
Persons interested in pursuing a paramedic career should be able to make decisions
quickly, possess maturity in dealing with patients and coworkers, have good vision
and visual color discrimination in examination of patients and be in good physical
condition. If you are able to give and receive medical instructions and if the fast
pace of emergency medicine is what you need in a career, then the paramedic profession
may meet the challenge you require.
This program prepares students for positions as EMTs and paramedics. Paramedics are
skilled in patient assessment, recognition of diagnostic signs and symptoms of major
injuries and illnesses. They learn to use ambulance, rescue vehicle and hospital emergency
department equipment to provide high-level emergency medical care and stabilize emergency
patients. Paramedics are also trained to provide advanced life support to include
fluid and drug therapy, as well as the performance of some essential emergency surgical
techniques under the written or oral orders of licensed physicians. EMTs and paramedics
should be prepared to work indoors or outdoors and in all types of weather conditions.
The Associate in Applied Science degree is a 71-credit-hour program for students who
want to pursue a career in paramedic technology. Graduates are eligible to sit for
national licensing boards.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has awarded
initial accreditation to this program. A recent peer review conducted by the Committee
on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions
(CoA EMSP) and CAAHEP’s Board of Directors recognizes the program’s substantial compliance
with the nationally established accreditation standards.
Opportunities in the Field
Employment of EMTs and paramedics is expected to grow by 33 percent, much faster than
average for all occupations. With an aging population, students may expect high demand
in the future for trained EMTs and paramedics. Positions are available with ambulance
services, fire departments, hospitals, emergency communication centers and industrial
medical and safety departments. Most paramedics are employed by ambulance service
companies and hospitals.
Salary Information
EMT salaries vary with the specialty, type of employer and years of experience. According
to Indeed, the average salary for a paramedic in Missouri is approximately $48,530
per year, which is 8% above the national average. This salary estimate is based on
41 salaries submitted anonymously and collected from job advertisements from the past
three years.
The St. Louis Community College paramedic program is accredited by the Commission
on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs
for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Contact CAAHEP:
25400 US Highway 19
Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
Contact CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Pkwy.
Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
Fax: 214-703-8992
www.coaemsp.org
Please visit the Tuition and Fees page for the most current information. Additional fees, such as books, uniforms, medical
exam, background checks, etc., apply. Fees are subject to change.
Prior to application, we recommend that you meet with an STLCC academic advisor. The advisor can help you plan your courses, clarify program requirements, and review
your academic history as it relates to this program. Visit the STLCC academic advising page.
- All applicants for the Paramedic Technology program must first be admitted to St.
Louis Community College.
- Applications for this program are accepted on a continuing basis throughout the year.
Visit an academic advisor at the Harrison Education Center to apply to the program.
- Those applicants admitted to the program enter the program in the fall semester and
must attend a mandatory orientation session. The specific date, time and location
of the orientation are included in the admissions letter.
- Following the orientation session, students begin the background check, drug screen,
and immunization process.
- Immunizations include MMR, TB/PPD (within last 12 months), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis
B, varicella/chickenpox and current influenza.
Prior to attending clinical education, you will be required to:
- Submit proof of current American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR card
- Submit a completed record of immunizations
- Submit a negative TB skin test
- Undergo a background check, and drug screen through a college-approved background
screening company prior to the beginning of the fall semester of admission. Students
not passing the criminal background check and/or drug screen may be prohibited from
participating in clinical education. This will prevent the student from being able
to complete all program requirements
- Background checks and drug screens can be ordered at portal.castlebranch.com/tp37
- Meet technical standards related to observation, communication, motor skills, behavioral
and social attributes
You will have the opportunity to attend a clinical site under the supervision of preceptors
in a hospital and on an ambulance.
Practical Exam
NREMT Written Exam
Positive Placement (employed as a paramedic, continuing education or in the military)
Program Completion - The number of students that completed the program compared to the number enrolled
in the program initially
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Cost of Attendance
For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information
Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours,
program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related
to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at https://scorecard.mo.gov/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree
or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply - Information provided is based on the
most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion
data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program
of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Contact Us
Hours for all campuses: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
