Paramedic Technology
Associate in Applied Science (AAS),
Certificate of Proficiency (CP)
Offered through Health Professions
@ Forest Park
Being a paramedic, or an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), is not only a great way to make a positive change in the world, but it is a fulfilling career choice that presents a different set of challenges everyday. Paramedics are needed in every region— urban and rural. Paramedics are the first on the scene of any emergency and are trained to work quickly and efficiently, making rapid decisions based on solid training. Paramedics assess medical situations, stabilize and treat patients until they are safely transported to a medical facility.
The recommended academic plan blends general education requirements with options for areas of concentration to ensure students get the most out of their certificate or degree. Please refer to the paramedic technology program checklist for more program specific information.
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 60-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.
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.
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.
Prior to attending clinical education, you will be required to:
You will have the opportunity to attend a clinical site under the supervision of preceptors in a hospital and on an ambulance.
Practical Exam
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| 1st Time Pass Rate | 75% | 100% | 89% | 92% |
| Pass Rate | 83% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
NREMT Written Exam
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| 1st Time Pass Rate | 52% | 80% | 89% | 58% |
| Pass rate | 85% | 90% | 96% | 75% |
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
For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
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.
Hours for all campuses: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
314-539-5004
askus@stlcc.edu