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)-Basic
With the EMT-Basic Certificate, you'll provide basic life support and transportation for victims of illness and injury. The EMT-Basic 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-Basic 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.
Launch Your Health Career 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 attendance at a free Health Careers Program Overview Information Session.
Bring your questions with you!
| Date | Time | Building | Room |
| Oct. 1, 2019 | 3:30 - 5 p.m. | 13 | 222 |
| Oct. 22, 2019 | 3:30 - 5 p.m. | 13 | 222 |
| Nov. 12, 2019 | 3:30 - 5 p.m. | 13 | 222 |
| Dec. 3, 2019 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | 13 | 222 |
| Jan. 9, 2020 | 3:30 - 5 p.m. | 13 | 222 |
| Jan. 30, 2020 | 3:30 - 5 p.m. | 13 | 222 |
| Feb. 20, 2020 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | 13 | 222 |
| March 19, 2020 | 3:30 - 5 p.m. | 13 | 222 |
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
Program applications for the 2019-2020 academic year are currently being accepted through April 5, 2019.
Accreditation
The TCC Paramedic Education Program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. Telephone: 727-210-2350.
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.
Outcomes Assessments
| Graduation Year, Class of | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
| Graduates | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 |
| Attrition | 11.5% | 1.1% | 4.5% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 4.2% |
| Retention | 88.5% | 98.9% | 95.5% | 87.5% | 87.5% | 95.8% |
| Positive Placement | 100% | 95% | 90.5% | 76.2% | 76.2% | 52.2% |
| National Registry Written - % of grads Attempting | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| National Registry Written- Pass Rate - Success | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| National Registry Practical - % of grads Attempting | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| National Registry Practical - Pass Rate - Success | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Comprehensive Final Written - % of grads Attempting | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Comprehensive Final Written - Pass Rate - Success | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Comprehensive Final Practical - % of grads Attempting | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Comprehensive Final Practical - Pass Rate - Success | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Learn More About EMS
Questions?
For information about either program, please email us.
Resources
- American Academy of Emergency Medicine
- American Heart Association (AHA)
- Department of Emergency Management, Pierce County EMS
- drugwatch.com
- National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT)
- National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE)
- NREMT- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
- National Trauma Data Bank
- Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
- The RALE Repositor