Paramedic Certificate

Technical Standards

In order to be eligible for, and successfully complete, the Paramedic Program, certain physical and behavioral standards are required as part of the program and clinical/ lab experience. These technical standards have been developed using the U.S. Department of Labor's skills and abilities for those working in a medical setting. Some clinical work experience opportunities may have additional requirements beyond the technical standards listed here and requirements may vary by agency. Students must satisfy these requirements to participate in the clinical internship and field/capstone internship. 

These technical standards are established in accordance with Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act. All students must be able to satisfy these standards with or without reasonable accommodation. These include:

Communication (Verbal and Non-Verbal)

1. Communicate effectively either independently or with corrective devices.
2. Communicate in English through reading, orally and in writing to instructors, professors, clinical staff, clients, families and all members of the health care team.
3. Understand oral directions/requests from paramedic preceptors, health care workers, patients, voice pages and telephone messages stated in a normal tone.

Auditory Ability

1. Hear all alarms on technical and supportive equipment set at a normal volume.
2. Listen and respond to distress sounds from patients.
3. Accurately detect audible blood pressure readings with a stethoscope.

Visual Ability

1. See and accurately read all written medical information pertaining to the patient.
2. See and accurately read all readings and functions of technical equipment pertaining to patient care.
3. See and accurately read all medications for administration or any equipment be used.

Physical Strength (Gross Motor Control)

1. Ability to lift 125 pounds unassisted in a safe manner, thereby protecting yourself, the patient, and those in close proximity to you.
2. Bend and/or lift to assist client with activities of daily living and manipulate client equipment.
3. Lift to safely transfer or position all patients in various situations.
4. Move, push or pull equipment, beds, stretchers, wheelchairs, etc.
5. Ability to raise arms over one’s head in order to assist clients and manipulate equipment.
6. Walk/stand for extended periods and distances over an 8-hour period.

Manual Dexterity (Fine Motor Movement)

1. Accurately manipulate dials, gauges, buttons and switches to set, monitor and care for patient care related equipment.
2. Safely and effectively perform assess and treat a patient. 
3. Successfully don and remove protective apparel (including sterile gloves) to maintain standard precautions.

Behavioral/Mental Performance

1. Function safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations.
2. Prioritize and manage tasks simultaneously.
3. Exhibit social skills necessary to interact therapeutically with patients, families, staff and faculty.
4. Maintain personal hygiene consistent with department dress code guidelines.
5. Display ethical attitudes and actions consistent with professional behavior.
6. Display the social skills to behave with politeness, tact and sensitivity to others in all settings.
7. Exhibit respect for cultural and ethnic differences of patients, peers and individuals.
8. Remain free from alcohol and/or chemical impairment in classroom and clinical settings at all times.

Massachusetts Office of Emergency Services (OEMS) Technical Standards
Be capable of all duties as set forth by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services 105 CMR 170.00.

1. be able to lift and carry 125 pounds
2. possess a valid driver’s license
3. be free from any physical or mental defect or disease which might impair his/her ability to provide emergency care within the scope of paramedic training and responsibilities, or which might jeopardize the health of another member of the class
4. be free from addiction to alcohol or any drug

Upon successful completion of the Paramedic Certificate program, students are able to:

• Describe the roles and responsibilities of a Paramedic within the EMS system.
• Apply the basic concepts of development, pathophysiology, and pharmacology to the assessment and management of emergency patients.
• Demonstrate, with competency, required NREMT testing skills without any failures in critical components. 
• Demonstrate competence in performing the skills and procedures required of paramedics.
• Safely manage the scene of an emergency including effective ground and air transport, general incident management, and multiple casualty incident management.
• Integrate pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement a treatment plan for patients of all ages in a variety of situations, e.g., trauma, medical crises, neonatal.
• Demonstrate an attitude of professionalism, respect, care and concern for the dignity of the individual.
• Participate in both the NREMT psychomotor and cognitive certification exams.

Upon successful completion of the NREMT psychomotor and cognitive exams, the student will be eligible for his/her Paramedic certification. 

Goals and Objectives
The goal of Cape Cod Community College's Paramedic Certificate program is to educate and prepare competent, paramedic ALS providers to serve in both the public and private medical sectors.

• Provide paramedic training in accordance with National EMS Education Standards and Massachusetts OEMS State guidelines. “To prepare competent entry-level Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.”
• To provide high quality training at the paramedic level that meets and exceeds the minimum state and national requirements.
• To teach students beyond the “teaching curriculum”; to teach the importance of customer service, EMS and scene management; bring a balanced mix of real world scenarios and classroom/lab training to our course. 

Cape Cod Community College understands it takes years as a provider to become comfortable with patient treatment. Our goal is to help all students understand these processes. In addition, CCCC stresses a focus on knowledge, skills, abilities, professionalism and how to adapt to the dynamic environment of paramedicine.  Scene dynamics, environment and patient conditions are continuously changing. Teaching adaptation, open-mindedness and competencies in these areas is necessary for a successful paramedic.

This occupational profile is provided by O*NET.

Completion of a program is based on full time enrollment. Many of our students attend part time and may not complete within the one year timeline.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics will grow much faster than the national average for all occupations through 2026. Job growth is expected to be at about 15%. (The balance Careers)

Locally, in the coming years, the baby-boomer generation will continue to retire thus opening up a wide-range of job opportunities in the EMS field as paramedics.

Full Time Faculty

Matt Malone, Program Director
Phone: 774.330.4438
E-mail: [email protected]

Adjunct Faculty

Robert Bellinger
Shane Clark
Edward Dalbec
Jason Davern
Jon Drake
Scott Freitas
Thomas Goodearl
Jason Hallett
Victoria Knight
Christopher McMahon
Johnathan Olson
John Phelan
Paul Sexton
Ann Stone
Brian Tyson