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Advanced Provider to Paramedic Bridge

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Paramedic

 

Advanced Provider (AdP) to Paramedic Bridge Program

paramedic students in the classroom at Crowder College

Accreditation

 This program is nationally accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Program Purpose

The AdP program is available for those individuals that currently possess an advanced practice license of the following: Registered Nurse (RN), Physician Assistant (PA), Nurse Practitioner (NP), or Physician (MD/DO).  The AdP-Paramedic bridge program is designed to address areas of the National Paramedic Curriculum that is absent or not clearly addressed in curricula from other advanced provider offerings. The program will prepare the AdP for the National Registry paramedic examination.

Based upon the AdP’s current skill level and background, the AdP will have to take one or 2 courses in order to complete the program and be eligible for testing with the National Registry.  The course offerings are outline below:

 

Advanced Provider to Paramedic (EMTP 277): An online course that consists of eight (8) weeks of online coursework completed through the Canvas system. Every AdP attending this program will take this course, with some being eligible to sit for the National Registry paramedic exam at the completion of this course.  This course is 6 credit hours of college credit.

Advanced Provider to Paramedic Clinical 1 (EMTP 278):  An in-person/on-site course taking place after the initial online EMTP 277 course.  This course is for AdP’s who do not possess a minimum of 250 documented hours worked in a pre-hospital setting (ground ambulance, air medical, etc.) at the Advanced Life Support (ALS) level and cannot perform the following skills in conjunction with their job duties:

  • Adult and Pediatric Intubation
  • Needle Decompression
  • Needle Cricothyrotomy

This course is 3 credit hours of college credit; with a commitment of the student to be on-site/in our region for ALS clinical ride time, simulation lab, and cadaver lab.  The on-site commitment lasts 12-14 days (depending upon if EMT testing is required). On-Site dates are listed in the EMS Programs Outline (located at the bottom of the page) under the Advanced Provider to Paramedic section.

Eligibility for an AdP to use work experience to bypass EMTP 278 means the candidate meets the following requirements:

The AdP must possess a minimum of 250 documented hours worked in a pre-hospital setting (ground ambulance, air medical, etc.) at the Advanced Life Support (ALS) level and CAN perform the following skills in conjunction with their job duties:

  • Adult and Pediatric Intubation
  • Needle Decompression
  • Needle Cricothyrotomy

This requirement is satisfied by:

  1. The Crowder College clinical waiver form + skills verification sheets being completed by a medical director, training officer, or medical manager that can attest to the hours and skills.
  2. Possessing a state-approved license verifying the student can perform certain skills as part of their job duties (e.g., prehospital intubation license) + the completed clinical waiver form attesting to ALS pre-hospital hours.

*Greater detail about using work experience is found in the EMS Programs Outline at the bottom of this page.

Minimum Entry for All Applicants

In order to be eligible for either course, each applicant must have the following requirements:

  1. AdP license must be in good standing with a minimum of 1000 hours of AdP work experience in the past two (2) years
  2. American Heart Association (AHA) BLS and ACLS provider (American Red Cross accepted, AHA preferred)
  3. Applicants must also meet oneof the following criteria:
    1. Two or more years of Emergency or Critical Care experience
    2. One year of RN experience in ER or Critical Care, and one year of pre-hospital experience (totaling two years of experience)
    3. One year of RN experience with a current BCEN (Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing) certification and is currently working in emergency or critical care nursing.
  • The Crowder College AdP-PM Work Verification Form (WVF) must be completed to show satisfactory entry into the program according to the criteria above. The WVF is found in the application packet.

 

Program Requirements

Physical Requirements: 
An EMS provider is faced with many physical demands and psychological challenges. Please refer to the EMS Education’s Policies and Procedure Manual for more information.

Academic Requirements: 
Students must make a 78% or better as a final grade in this program or is not eligible to take the NREMT-NRP examinations.

Clinical and Behavioral Requirements:
If supervised student experience is required to complete the program, the student is responsible for transportation to these facilities, as well as to any scheduled classes. Program preceptors will observe and evaluate the student’s suitability for the profession and communicate those observations to the designated instructor through evaluation instruments, electronic communication or by phone.

Other Requirements:
All applicants accepted to the program are required to submit documentation of:

  • Current AdP license
  • BLS card
  • ACLS card
  • Driver’s license
  • Hepatitis B inoculation or a declination form
  • Tuberculosis testing
  • Work Verification Form (found in application)

Individuals attending EMTP 278 (clinical rotations) require the following to participate in clinical rotations:

  • A criminal background check
  • 10-panel drug screen
  • Physical
  • Photo (for ID badge)

Individuals using their work experience in place of taking the EMTP 278 course will need to submit the following:

  • Clinical Experience Waiver Form (found in application)
  • Advanced skill forms (found in application)

*The purchase of items such as uniforms, housing, fuel, transportation, patches, stethoscopes, shears and other personal equipment and accessories is the financial responsibility of the individual student.


Program Deadlines and Important Dates

  1. Individuals that meet the requirements to use their work experience to count toward their clinical rotations, and do NOT have to take EMTP 278; completed applications and additional documents can be accepted 10 days prior to the start of the course.
  2. Individuals required to take EMTP 278 will follow the dates listed below:

Spring Semester (January class)

  • Application deadline: November 15th*
  • Acceptance notification: December 1st
  • Enrollment form return deadline: December 15th**
  • Notification to alternates (if applicable): December 16th
  • Alternate enrollment form return deadline: January 2nd

Fall Semester (August class)

  • Application deadline: July 1st *
  • Acceptance notification: July 15th
  • Enrollment form return deadline: July 31st**
  • Notification to alternates (if applicable): August 1st

*20 clinical slots are available, and if all 20 are not filled by the deadline the EMTP 278 class reverts to first come-first serve until the class is full

**All applications must be fully completed (no partial applications) prior to deadline to be considered for upcoming semester.

***All applicants that are required to take EMTP 278 will have their applications scored by a predetermined rubric, with the order of acceptance starting with the applicants with the highest scores. Alternates will also be accepted in priority order and will be notified should an individual withdraw from the program. No alternates will be registered after the first week of classes.

****If enrollment forms are not submitted by the assigned deadlines, the applicant forfeits the seat in the course.

For more information, contact the EMS department at EMSinq@crowder.edu or call 417-455-5429.

Getting Started

Course Outline
Application
  1. Submit a college admission application by going here: APPLY NOW
  2. Have any and allcollege transcripts sent to Crowder’s Records Department
  3. For an estimation of program expenditures, please click here: Tuition & Fees page
  4. Program Applications may be sent to EMSapps@crowder.edu

Purpose: This program is a self-directed (SDL) course designed to address areas of the National Paramedic Curriculum absent, or not clearly addressed in RN curricula. Concentration will be placed on advanced airway management, pre-hospital patient assessment, trauma and medical emergency management. Pediatrics, 12-Lead ECG’s, trauma and prehospital operations will also be covered. The program will prepare the RN for the National Registry paramedic examination. All didactic coursework will be completed online; psychomotor practice, review and competency checks may either be performed via live feed or through recorded video. Local students may opt to complete their hands-on training on-site at Crowder if desired. Students may engage in clinical rotations in their home state/region, given a contractual agreement has been signed with the respective agencies, and, an emergency physician to act as an associate medical director for that state. Currently, Tennessee, New Mexico, Iowa and Virginia do not allow out-of-state paramedic students to engage in clinical rotations within their state. If you live in one of these states, please contact Crowder EMS before applying to the program.

Students have up to 16 weeks to complete didactic, psychomotor, and clinical requirements.

Why should an RN get a paramedic license?

Employment Opportunities

Becoming well-versed in both fields can assist in expansion of employment opportunity. Companies in the private sector, and organizations in the public domain, desire highly educated people with a well-rounded scope of all around medical care knowledge. RN’s with EMS training and background can find professional specialties that include:

  • Flight Nurse
  • Intensive Care Nurse
  • Emergency Room Nurse
  • EMS Instructor
  • Local EMS Provider

Steve Cathers, RN, FP-C, 2009 Crowder College Paramedic graduate

The Exhilaration/Adrenalin Rush Influence

Some nurses are drawn to the hectic and often unpredictable world of trauma and emergency. It may be in their nature to take control of an emergency situation or play an intricate part of a quick moving crisis. Some may have witnessed paramedics/EMT’s rush into the hospital and provide the details of the patient event and present the case facts. Others were probably drawn into that “rush” without witnessing a scene like that at all. Regardless, those situations typically arise in an ER trauma unit or in the “field”. An on-the-scene ambulance work environment can provide that lifestyle and may be a better fit than in a slower paced hospital setting for some.

The Autonomy Factor

Some nurses may not like the strict rules and regulations that can apply to nursing. Restrictive guidelines, hospital protocols, and close supervision by a doctor(s) can all contribute to a feeling of not being an independent thinker or having the autonomy to make instant decisions. Even though paramedicine also has rules and guidelines, it may have a different “feel” when you are a first responder and it is YOUR actions and decisions that controls a scene. It can provide a sense of freedom from external control or influence, as well as, an impression of independence.

“ I never doubted my volition to take my paramedic course at Crowder College. The instructors were prudent and goal-oriented. The paramedic foundations they have instilled had directed me to pass both the FP-C and CCP-C exams.” – Brayle Lafasni

Program Goals: At the completion of the program the graduate will be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate the clinical information relative to his/her role as an
entry-level paramedic;
• Technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role of an entry-level paramedic; and
• Personal behaviors consistent with professional and employer expectations for the entry-level paramedic.

I have an RN license. Do I qualify, or do I need a specific type of nursing experience? In order to be eligible, you must have: 

Two or more years of Emergency/Critical Care (ICU, CVICU, CCU, etc) experience OR;

One year of emergency and one year of critical care experience OR;

One year of RN experience (ER/Critical Care) with a current EMT license and one year of pre-hospital experience OR;

One year of RN experience with current CFRN, CCRN, CEN or CTRN certification that is within good standing, and is actively working in emergency/critical care AND;

AHA BLS and ACLS Provider within good standing, and Registered Nurse (RN) license must be in good standing with 1000 hours of RN work experience in the last 2 years.
Accreditation: This program is accredited nationally by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP).

How do I get started?

1. Submit a college admission application by going here: College Application
2. Submit an application to the program by going here: Program Application
3. Submit proof of RN licensure
4. Have transcripts of previous college courses sent to the college records department

For an estimation of program expenditures for the Fall, 2019- Summer, 2020 semesters, please click here.

Program Requirements:

Physical Requirements: 
An EMS provider is faced with many physical demands and psychological challenges. Please refer to the EMS Education’s Policies and Procedure Manual for more information.

Academic Requirements: 
Students must make a 78% or better as a final grade in this program or is not eligible to take the NREMT-NRP examinations.

Clinical and Behavioral Requirements:
Selected and supervised student experience is required by the program and will be accomplished at selected, regional health care facilities and pre-hospital services. The student is responsible for transportation to these facilities, as well as to any scheduled classes. Program preceptors will observe and evaluate the student’s suitability for the profession and communicate those observations to the designated instructor through evaluation instruments, electronic communication or by phone.

Other Requirements:
Applicants accepted to the program are required to submit a health certificate signed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant or RNP and should include documentation of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and chicken pox exposure or inoculations; documentation of Hepatitis B inoculation; Tuberculosis testing; and overall general health of the applicant. A criminal background check is also required.

The purchase of items such as uniforms housing, fuel, transportation, patches, stethoscopes, shears and other personal equipment and accessories is the financial responsibility of the individual student.

Our first RN-Paramedic program begins fall, 2018. Apply Now!

For more information, contact Kyle Ritter, RN, FP-C, NRP, at 417-455-5416 or e-mail kyleritter@crowder.edu.