four male ems students practicing backboarding

Emergency Medical and Health Services

Programs at Tacoma Community College

About

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals are highly trained medical professionals who respond to calls and provide emergency medical care in the pre-hospital setting.

TCC's EMS Program offers training for 2 career levels in this field:

Level 1: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

With the EMT Certificate, you'll provide basic life support and transportation for victims of illness and injury. The EMT program at TCC follows the U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines as well as the Washington State Department of Health standards.

Level 2: Paramedic

With the Paramedic Certificate, you'll build on your EMT training. As a paramedic, you may be employed by the fire department, hospital, or private ambulance companies. You'll be the eyes, ears, and hands of an emergency physician while in the field.

The program is designed to prepare graduates to meet Washington state certification requirements and to take the National Registry EMT-Paramedic examination. Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students have the option to pursue an Associate in Applied Science Degree.

Learn More About EMS

Image of two male ems student putting a cervical collar on a female ems studentCurriculum Paramedic Costs Paramedic Prerequisites Paramedic Application Packet (PDF)EMT Certificate EMHS AAS Degree

Take Your Career Further

Paramedic Certificate + Associate of Applied Sciences Degree

Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students have the option to pursue an Associate of Applied Sciences degree by completing 42 additional credits of general education courses as outlined in the curriculum. Those classes may also be taken prior to beginning the Paramedic Education program.

Community Health BAS

Students who complete the Paramedic program and Associate of Applied Science Degree may apply for TCC's Bachelor of Applied Science in Community Health degree, which offers elective tracks in Community Health, Advanced Respiratory Care, and community paramedicine. Learn more about how TCC's Paramedic program can be a starting point for a number of health careers pathways at a Health Careers Info Session.

Paramedic Program Application Dates

Applications for the 2021 TCC Paramedic program are currently being accepted. TCC will begin reviewing applications after the application deadline.

GET STARTED

Accreditation

The TCC Paramedic Education Program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775; telephone 727-210-2350, fax 727-210-2354, www.caahep.org.

Program Outcomes

The information listed below is a requirement requested by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, 727-210-2350.

Paramedic Program Outcomes

CAAHEP Accredited Paramedic Programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2018.

The most recent success rate for the National Registry of EMT Paramedic/State Cognitive exam was 100%.

The most recent positive placement rate for graduates was 100%. Positive placement is defined by the CoAEMSP as “Employed full or part-time in a related field and/or continuing his/her education and/or serving in the military.” Positive placement is measured at the completion of the program.

The most recent retention rate was 95%.

Outcomes Assessments

Graduation Year, Class of	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014
Graduates	20	23	22	21	21
Attrition	16.5%	11.5%	1.1%	4.5%	12.5%
Retention	83.3%	88.5%	98.9%	95.5%	87.5%
Positive Placement	95%	100%	95%	90.5%	76.2%
National Registry Written - % of grads Attempting	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
National Registry Written- Pass Rate - Success	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
National Registry Practical - % of grads Attempting	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
National Registry Practical - Pass Rate - Success	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
Comprehensive Final Written - % of grads Attempting	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
Comprehensive Final Written - Pass Rate - Success	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
Comprehensive Final Practical - % of grads Attempting	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
Comprehensive Final Practical - Pass Rate - Success	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%

Questions?

For information about either program, please email us.

EMT Program Paramedic Program

Other Healthcare Programs at TCC

There are a variety of ways to work in the health care industry. TCC is fortunate to offer a number of educational programs in Health Sciences that might be of interest. In order to assist prospective students in fully understanding their training options, we encourage your review of the electronic version of our Health Careers Program Overview Information Session.

Get Started!

Health Science Program Overview – Narrative (PDF)

After watching the online version of our information session, please join us via Zoom Lobby for an upcoming question/answer opportunity. Please note: You will be admitted to the conversation in the order you arrive. Please consider joining us anytime within the scheduled hour. You are also welcome to contact our Advising office with specific questions at 253-566-6091 or advising@tacomacc.edu.

Zoom Lobby Sessions

Date	Time	Zoom Link
Wednesday, March 3	6 – 7 pm	Join the zoom session
Thursday, March 18	4 – 5 pm	Join the zoom session
Wednesday, April 7	6 – 7 pm	Join the zoom session
Thursday, April 22	4 – 5 pm	Join the zoom session
Wednesday, May 5	6 – 7 pm	Join the zoom session
Thursday, May 20	4 – 5 pm	Join the zoom session
Wednesday, June 2	6 – 7 pm	Join the zoom session
Thursday, June 17	4 – 5 pm	Join the zoom session

Welcome to Spring Quarter.