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)-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. 

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.

Get Started 

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 2015 2014 2013 2012
Graduates 21 21 21 23
Attrition 4.5% 12.5% 12.5% 4.2%
Retention 95.5% 87.5% 87.5% 95.8%
Positive Placement 90.5% 76.2% 76.2% 52.2%
National Registry Written - % of grads Attempting 100% 100% 100% 100%
National Registry Written- Pass Rate - Success 100% 100% 100% 100%
National Registry Practical - % of grads Attempting 100% 100% 100% 100%
National Registry Practical - Pass Rate - Success 100% 100% 100% 100%
Comprehensive Final Written - % of grads Attempting 100% 100% 100% 100%
Comprehensive Final Written - Pass Rate - Success 100% 100% 100% 100%
Comprehensive Final Practical - % of grads Attempting 100% 100% 100% 100%
Comprehensive Final Practical - Pass Rate - Success 100% 100% 100% 100%

Learn More About EMS

 
Image of two male ems student putting a cervical collar on a female ems studentEMT Basic PacketParamedic Application PacketEMHS AAS DegreeEMT Basic CertificateParamedic PrerequisitesParamedic Curriculum & Costs

 

Questions?

For information about either program, please email us at EMT@tacomacc.edu or Paramedicprogram@tacomacc.edu.

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