EMS5684 Paramedic 4
12 Credit Hours
Student Level:
This course is open to students on the college level in either the freshman or sophomore year.
Catalog Description:
EMS5684 - Paramedic 4 (12 hrs)
This is the fourth and final course of the paramedic technical curriculum and prepares the student for program completion. The student will continue to develop more complex depth and comprehensive breadth in the principles and practice of paramedic-level patient care, and will attain entry-level competence as a paramedic by the end of this course.
The student will be scheduled to perform in the pre-hospital environment with an organization which provides advanced life support ambulance treatment and transportation (Type I license with the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Service). Students will perform under the direct supervision of Kansas Certified Paramedics for a total of 500‑750 hours, depending upon the student’s needs and abilities. Emphasis will be placed on the proper performance of all pre-hospital patient care and clinical decision-making abilities. Students will also prepare to pass the national registry certification examination.
Course Classification:
Lecture/Lab Combo
Prerequisite:
EMS5683 Paramedic 3
Controlling Purpose:
The purpose of Paramedic 4 is to provide students with the opportunity to apply the principles of patient assessment, ECG interpretation, pharmacology, airway management, and patient treatment modalities in the pre‑hospital setting. It reinforces the academic and functional knowledge of the principles and concepts presented during the Paramedic Program. Students will also prepare to pass the National Registry examination.
Learner Outcomes:
The student will develop competencies in the application of the principles and management techniques used in emergency medicine. Competencies will be further developed in patient assessment skills, ECG interpretation, pharmacology use, airway skills, and patient treatment modalities. Competencies will also be developed in the application of cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains necessary to pass the National Registry examination.
Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:
The following defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other content as time allows.
FIELD INTERNSHIP PHASE 1: Introduction and Orientation to the Field Internship Service
Outcomes: At the completion of phase 1 of the field internship experience the paramedic student will be able to identify his/her preceptors, understand departmental rules as they apply to the station, the vehicle, safety, documentation, and QA/QI policies, and become familiar with the individual locations of emergency equipment both in the station and the ambulance.
- This phase of internship should last at least 5 ambulance calls or 36 hours:
- Describe the three basic types of ambulance calls: medical emergencies, trauma emergencies, and transfers.
- Identify his/her role responsibility during calls.
- Determine what equipment is to be brought to the patient on each call.
- Understand how to approach a call-in terms of patient care.
- Demonstrate scene safety awareness and appropriate precautions.
- Understand service policy on infection control, safety, documentation, medical protocols and QA/QI policies.
- Understand the documentation expectations of each ambulance call.
- Accurately perform a complete unit check at the beginning of each shift.
FIELD INTERNSHIP PHASE 2: Task Responsibilities/Team Activities
Outcomes: At the completion of phase 2 of the field internship experience the paramedic student will be able to practice team cooperation in patient care delivery to include communication with co-workers, appropriate equipment operation, obtaining accurate vital signs, successful initiation of IVs on any patient requiring this therapy and reciting the dosages, indications and contraindications for all medications carried by the field internship site.
- This phase of internship should last at least 10 ambulance calls or 60 hours. Continue to perform all skills acquired during phase 1 while also:
- Successful communication between the student and preceptors.
- Demonstration of appropriate and accurate operation, location, maintenance and various uses of equipment.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform BCLS consistent with the American Heart Association guidelines.
- Demonstrate the ability to obtain a full and accurate set of vital signs to include respirations, heart rate, blood pressure, pupil status and skin condition.
- Perform a thorough patient assessment appropriate to patient’s presentation and chief complaint.
- Formulate an accurate working impression utilizing information gathered to include age, physical exam and patient history, and communicate to the preceptor a triage consistent with the patient’s condition.
- Decide upon a course of action and implement a team approach to carrying out a treatment plan.
- Given the opportunity, demonstrate knowledge of proper skill techniques and utilize all equipment to include IV initiation, ECG interpretation, ET intubation, medication administration and any other intervention appropriate to the patient’s condition and the service protocol.
- Recite all dosages, indications and contraindications for any of the medications carried by the field internship site.
- Demonstrate a knowledge base consistent with information presented to the student to this point in the field internship experience.
FIELD INTERNSHIP PHASE 3: Team Leader Responsibilities/Team Coordination
Outcomes: At the conclusion of phase 3 of the students’ field internship experience, the student will be able to coordinate patient care and assign tasks to be able to comprehend, apply and evaluate clinical information while demonstrating technical proficiency in all skills and behavior necessary to fulfill the role as an entry level paramedic, and in a simulated patient care scenario.
- Continue to perform all skills acquired during phases 1 and 2 while also:
- Demonstrate appropriate scene management of any situation and function competently under stressful situations to include appropriate assessment, treatment and transportation priorities when multiple patients are encountered.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform a thorough patient interview and physical assessment.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop a treatment management plan and perform the necessary skills, or delegation of tasks when appropriate, related to emergency management of the patient.
- Demonstrate effective communication between the student and preceptors, patients, family members, bystanders, public service personnel and other health care providers either orally, in writing or by radio.
- Demonstrate the ability to accurately complete all the necessary reports associated with the patient contact.
- Demonstrate integrity, self-motivation, self-confidence, appropriate appearance and personal hygiene, teamwork, diplomacy, appropriate communication, time management, respect, empathy, patient advocacy and careful delivery of service consistent with affective objectives outlined in the Cowley affective evaluation.
Capstone Project
Introduction Students must complete a capstone project during the Paramedic 4 class. This project is based on developing an “EMS Service Improvement” idea and presenting that idea to the paramedic program faculty and external experts, such as local EMS service administrators.
You should select an EMS topic that interests you, and wide latitude will be granted in this area, though each topic must have instructor approval. Seek instructor guidance whenever required. You must follow HIPAA and program confidentiality requirements. Format A 10-minute presentation will be given to the paramedic program faculty and outside EMS experts. The student is graded on the professionalism of the presentation, as well as the thoroughness of the research undertaken to develop the presentation. The full grading rubric is given to the students during the Paramedic 4 class.
The project is worth 100 points.
Standardized Testing Preparation
Outcomes: At the completion of this unit the paramedic student will have shown mastery of skills and knowledge necessary to pass a standardized national registry test in order to attain paramedic certification.
- Display knowledge consistent with an entry-level paramedic.
- Actively participate in a guided review of cognitive material.
- Satisfactorily complete a cognitive test preparation session.
- Correctly perform skills specific to each national registry testing station.
- Display behaviors consistent with an entry-level paramedic.
Projects Required:
As assigned.
Textbook:
Contact Bookstore for current textbook.
Materials/Equipment Required:
None.
Attendance Policy:
Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Grading Policy:
The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Maximum class size:
Based on classroom occupancy
Course Timeframe:
The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.
Refer to the following policies:
402.00 Academic Code of Conduct
263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades
403.00 Student Code of Conduct
Disability Services Program:
Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability. If a student has a disability which may impact work in this class and which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator.
DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.
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