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ParamedicRequirements

Aims Paramedic Associate Degree Requirements

Explore the classes that will teach you the skills you need to become a paramedic. Study advanced concepts in cardiology, including EKG concepts, rhythms and diagnoses. Study advanced pharmacology, IV fluid therapy, and medical and trauma emergencies. Each classroom lecture segment coincides with a lab session designed to give you hands-on training in various emergency scenarios. General education requirements include public speaking, math, English composition, government and the sociology of diversity. 

Clinical rotations give you well-rounded hands-on training in the following departments:

  • Emergency room
  • ICU
  • Catheter lab
  • Helicopter
  • Labor and delivery
  • Operating room
  • Pediatric ER
  • Psychiatric unit

After your clinicals, internships allow you to apply your knowledge and skills in the community. 

Choose Your Paramedic Degree Program Pacing

Aims offers two paramedic associate degree program tracks: 

  • The traditional paramedic program track is for you if you’d like to maintain your employment during training. This program track takes three semesters to complete, with clinical rotations over winter break and a field internship completed during the summer. 
  • The accelerated paramedic program track is for you if you’d like to complete your paramedic degree program in two semesters. Classes start in the fall and meet all day every Thursday and Friday, with hospital and clinical rotations over winter break and an internship over the following spring semester.

Both online and in-class options are available for the classroom learning portion of the paramedic degree program.

If you’re a registered nurse or intermediate EMT, Aims also offers an advanced paramedic program track with accelerated and traditional pacing options. 

How to Apply to the Aims Paramedic Program

To apply to the paramedic program, you'll need to meet certain minimum requirements and fill out an application form. Visit this page for more information and to apply.

Row Groupings Degree Requirements Credits
required

Introduces the paramedic student to the advanced practice of prehospital care. This course covers professional behavior, medical ethics, legal issues, patient assessment, therapeutic communication, clinical decision making, and basic and advanced airway management. This course discusses EMS's role in the healthcare continuum, professional communication, patient care documentation, IV fluid therapy and resuscitation, and the application of evidence based medicine. A brief overview of human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology is included. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
EMS 2026
3
required

Teaches the skills necessary for the paramedic to apply professional behavior, medical ethics, legal issues, patient assessment, therapeutic communication, clinical decision making, and airway management. Serves as the companion course to Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
EMS 2025
2
required

Introduces the paramedic student to concepts in assessing and meeting the emergency care needs of the neonate, pediatric, geriatric and special needs patient. This course focuses on epidemiology, pathophysiology, assessment and treatment of these patient groups. Common medical and traumatic presentations are addressed. Relevant psychosocial and ethno cultural concepts and legal and ethical implications are integrated throughout. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
EMS 2028
3
required

Teaches the skills necessary for the paramedic to effectively assess and treat neonatal, pediatric, geriatric, and special needs patients utilizing skills and simulation scenarios. Serves as the companion course to Paramedic Special Considerations. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
EMS 2027
2
required

Introduces the paramedic student to advanced emergency pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. This course will include laws affecting the use and distribution of medications, medication dosing, clinical calculations, routes of administration and discussion of common medication classifications to include indications, contraindications and side effects. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
EMS 2030
3
required

Teaches the skills necessary for the paramedic to safely and effectively administer emergency medications. Serves as the companion course to Paramedic Pharmacology. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
EMS 2029
2
required

Introduces the paramedic student to cardiovascular emergencies and the care of patients presenting with cardiovascular emergencies. Topics will include assessment of the cardiovascular system, ECG acquisition and interpretation both single lead and 12 lead, pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease and treatments indicated for a given disease. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
EMS 2032
5
required

Teaches the skills necessary for the paramedic to effectively assess and treat patients presenting with cardiovascular emergencies utilizing skills and simulation scenarios. Serves as the companion course to Paramedic Cardiology. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
EMS 2031
1
required

Expands on the paramedic student's knowledge of medical emergencies with the Integration of assessment findings in formulating a field impression and implementing a treatment plan. This course will cover principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology related to common medical emergencies including: neurological, abdominal and gastrointestinal disorders, immunological, infectious diseases, endocrine disorders, psychiatric disorders, toxicological, respiratory, hematological, genitourinary, gynecological, non-traumatic musculoskeletal disorders, and diseases of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
EMS 2034
4
required

Teaches the skills necessary for the paramedic to effectively assess and treat patients with a variety of medical emergencies utilizing skills and simulation scenarios. Serves as the companion course to Paramedic Medical Emergencies. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
EMS 2033
1
required

Expands on the paramedic student's knowledge of trauma emergencies with the integration of assessment findings in formulating a field impression and implementing a treatment plan for an acutely injured patient. The course will provide an in depth evaluation of trauma to include: categorization of trauma patients, incidence of trauma, trauma systems, types of injury, trauma assessment, documentation in trauma, trauma scoring scales, trauma center designations, and transfer of patients. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
EMS 2036
4
required

Teaches the skills necessary for the paramedic to effectively assess and treat patients with a variety of traumatic emergencies utilizing skills and simulation scenarios. Serves as the companion lab course for Paramedic Trauma Emergencies. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
EMS 2035
1
required

Reviews concepts and techniques used in the prehospital setting. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

2
required

Students will participate in clinical rotations at local hospitals where they will apply the Advanced Life Support skills taught in the related didactic courses. Students are required to have current CPR certification, applicable immunizations, and a background check to enroll in this course. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is repeatable with a maximum of 12 credit hours.

0 to 12
Students must take (Students must take 6 credits of EMS 2073)
required

Serves as the preceptor/internship program for paramedic students. Students are required to have current CPR certification, applicable immunizations, and a background check to enroll in this course. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is repeatable with a maximum of 12 credit hours.

0 to 12
Students must take (Students must take 6 credits of EMS 2080)
required

Serves as the continuation of EMS 280, preceptor program for paramedic students. Students are required to have current CPR certification, applicable immunizations, and a background check to enroll in this course. Restricted to Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic AAS majors only. Course is repeatable with a maximum of 12 credit hours.

0 to 12
Students must take (Students must take 6 credits of EMS 2081)
Total Degree Requirement Credits 51
Row Groupings General Education Requirements Credits
Note Choose one of the following: 
required

Combines the basic theories of communication with public speech performance skills. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, audience analysis, and delivery. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Examines the communication involved in interpersonal relationships occurring in family, social, and career situations. Relevant concepts include self-concept, perception, listening, nonverbal communication, and conflict. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Note Choose one of the following: 
required

Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Develops skills one can apply to a variety of technical documents. Focuses on principles for organizing, writing, and revising clear, readable documents for industry, business, and government. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Blank Space
required

Covers material designed for career and technical students who need to study particular mathematical topics. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, statistics, and graphs. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
* *Or any higher level Math course.  (MAT 1260 or MAT 1340 is recommended for transfer to a bachelor program.)
Space
required

Emphasizes the structure and function of state, county, and municipal governments including their relations with each other and with national government. Includes a study of Colorado government and politics. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Explores differences based on race, ethnicity, social class, gender, age, ability status, and sexual identity. Critically examines the dynamics of intergroup relations and how social construction of these differences can lead to patterns of prejudice, discrimination, and inequality nationally and globally. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Total Required General Education Credits 15-16
Total Credits for A.A.S. Degree 66-67