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Emergency Medical Services

Paramedics use their skills to treat acute illnesses and work in traumatic situations along side firefighters. You’ll learn all aspects of patient care in Hawkeye’s state-of-the-art simulation lab before gaining real world experience through our hospital and field internship program.

Courses Careers Admissions Requirements Advisor & Program Contacts All Programs >>

Program Overview

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program prepares you for entry-level emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic positions. You will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, assess, and manage medical emergencies and patients with acute traumatic and medical conditions in a pre-hospital setting. You'll be prepared to provide optimal response and care to victims of any emergency, disaster, or mass casualty event. Skills include but are not limited to:

  • Patient assessment and stabilization
  • Medication administration
  • Airway management and ventilation
  • Patient records and documentation
  • Wound care

EMS is a unique combination of public health, public safety, and acute patient care.

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

  • Patient Simulator Lab and Ambulance: Learn how to handle and react to a variety of patient scenarios in controlled environments.

  • Clinical Experience: Gain real-world work experience ensuring you have the skills you need to succeed in your future career.

  • EMS World Expo: Hawkeye EMS students have a unique opportunity to attend EMS World Expo every year. Our with EMS Expo allows students to experience the event behind the scenes and work the conference in addition to attending education sessions.

Technical Standards

Technical Standards will help you assess your ability to succeed in the EMS program and the EMS profession. These technical standards include personal and professional attributes, skills, knowledge, physical, medical, safety, and other requirements that an individual must meet in order to be eligible for admission to and retention in the EMS program. See the Emergency Medical Services Program Technical Standards.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the Paramedic Certification program, students are eligible to test for the National Paramedic Certification Examination with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).

Upon successful completion of the EMS Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program, students are eligible to take national certification exams through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).

Accreditation

The Emergency Services Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

To Contact CAAHEP

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

To Contact COAEMSP

8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett TX 75088
214-703-8445
214-703-8992 (fax)
www.coaemsp.org

The Emergency Medical Services program is authorized by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Mission Statements

Hawkeye Community College EMS education program’s mission is to provide high quality, relevant, and accurate EMS education and training opportunities for individuals, agencies, institutions, and organizations; both career and volunteer; in Hawkeye Community College’s service district.

Hawkeye Community College's paramedic program goal is to prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.

Paramedic Program Student Outcomes

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Graduates 8 9 14 6 10
Retention 80% 90% 93% 85% 83%
Certification 75% 75% 78% 66% 100%
Positive Placement 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Transfer Information

Articulation agreements with Columbia Southern University and Upper Iowa University allow you to transfer your Emergency Medical Services coursework to earn a Bachelor of Science degree.

If you plan to transfer, work closely with a program advisor to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.

At A Glance
Awards
  • Associate of Applied Science
  • Certificate
Length of Study 1½ – 2 years
Course Format Face-to-Face, Hybrid, Online
Class Meets
  • Paramedic Certificate classes are offered day or evening.
  • Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree classes are offered during the day.
Program Start Fall, Spring
Enrollment Full-time or part-time
 

Program Faculty

Gregory Helmuth

I was drawn to EMS for the excitement. I remained in the industry because I like helping people. Teaching gives me the opportunity to shape the next generation of first responders.

John Cockrell

My career in EMS started as a volunteer. As I gained experience and furthered my education I realized I wanted to make EMS my career focus. I have had an exciting career as a firefighter, paramedic, and critical care flight paramedic. I love helping others find their passion to serve others and provide excellent patient care.


Video Overview

EMS at Hawkeye Community College

The Emergency Medical Services program prepares students for a crucial industry through a hands-on approach and real-world experience. Plus, expert faculty and flexible hours make Hawkeye an ideal place to get professional and convenient training. Check out the EMS video to learn more!

See More Video

Your Criminal History Matters

As a future emergency services responder, students need to use good judgment in all areas of their personal, professional, and scholastic interactions and activities; and must keep their records clean. All hospitals, EMS, and fire agencies require background checks for internships, volunteer placements, and employment.

Be aware that character counts and your behavior can sabotage your ability to graduate from this program and your ability to work in the field. Consider what your actions and criminal history says about you….i.e. an OWI conviction indicates that you demonstrate poor judgment by drinking to excess and deciding to drive, which may kill or injure you or another person.

If you want to work in emergency services, avoid these issues:

  • Acquiring speeding tickets or safety violation citations.
  • Acquiring a suspended driver’s license or citations for driving with a suspended license.
  • Participating in underage drinking, using fake ID’s, or buying alcohol for underage persons.
  • Use or abuse of prescription drugs, street drugs, club drugs (ecstasy), marijuana, or synthetic drugs.
  • Engaging in theft of property, goods, or services.
  • Assault or battery related cases.

You will not be employable in emergency services if you have:

  • Felony convictions.
  • Domestic abuse convictions.
  • Placement on an abuse registry (sex offender, child/elder abuse).
  • Drug convictions, or history of drug use or abuse (methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, etc.) Each agency (city, county, state, or federal) sets their own limits on marijuana use from zero tolerance to a limited amount of use, and factors in how recent the use was.

Ultimately, potential employers will rationalize your behavior by this criteria: If you know or reasonably believe an action is illegal or will cause harm then the best candidate will take responsibility, demonstrate self-control, and not do it.

Lastly, employers will ask our faculty for references. Students need to know that full time faculty and adjunct faculty members are constantly formally and informally assessing students in terms of academic performance, attendance, honesty, professionalism, social skills, maturity, and appearance so that we can make objective assessments when asked. Your interactions count, and we are here to mentor you.

Program Pathways

Paramedic Certificate

The Paramedic certificate option is recommended for state-licensed emergency medical technicians (EMT) who would like to advance their career as a paramedic.

Prerequisite Courses Details

Credits 10
Enrollment Full-time, Part-time
Program Start Fall, Spring, Summer
Number of Terms 1
Time to Complete 4 months

Prerequisite Courses

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II
  • Medical Terminology

Prerequisite coursework must be completed before beginning Term 1 of the Paramedic Certificate program.

Program Details

Day Program Evening Hybrid
Award Certificate Certificate
Credits 38 38
Enrollment Full-time Part-time
Program Start Fall Spring
Number of Terms 3 6
Time to Complete 1 year 2 years
Course Format Face-to-Face Hybrid, Online
Class Meets Daytime Evening

Suggested Sequence of Study and cost

Evening Hybrid Suggested Sequence of Study and cost

Program Courses

  • Airway and Patient Assessment
  • Cardiology for the Paramedic
  • Clinical I
  • Clinical II
  • EMS Operations
  • Introduction to Paramedicine
  • Medical and Psychological Emergencies
  • Paramedic Pharmacology and Medication Administration
  • Special Populations for the Paramedic
  • Transition to Paramedic Practice
  • Traumatic Emergencies for the Paramedic

To participate in the Paramedic Certificate program course work you will be required to complete background screenings, including a criminal background check, sex offender registry, child abuse registry, and dependent adult registry before participating in clinicals. The outcome could possibly affect your opportunities to participate in the clinical setting.

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

Next step: Continue to Term 1 of the Emergency Medical Services Associate of Science (AAS) degree or graduate and enter the workforce. Students completing the Paramedic Certificate program only need to complete coursework in Term 1 and Term 2 of the Emergency Medical Services Associate of Science (AAS) degree to graduate with their AAS degree.

Emergency Medical Services Associate of Science (AAS) Degree

The Emergency Medical Services AAS degree is recommended for those who would like to become a paramedic and pursue a management position in emergency medical services.

Program Details

Award Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Credits 69
Enrollment Full-time
Program Start Fall, Spring, Summer
Number of Terms 5
Time to Complete 2 years
Course Format Face-to-Face
Class Meets Daytime

Suggested Sequence of Study and cost

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Emergency Medical Technician -OR-
    Emergency Medical Technician I -AND-
    Emergency Medical Technician II -AND-
    Emergency Medical Technician II Clinical
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • Medical Terminology
Term 2
  • Emergency Medical Responder -OR-
    Management of Emergency Medical Services -OR-
    Education in EMS -OR-
    Fire Fighter I -OR-
    Principles of Emergency Services -OR-
    Legal Aspects of Emergency Services -OR-
    Physical Conditioning for Public Services
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Term 3 — Fall
  • Airway and Patient Assessment
  • Cardiology for the Paramedic
  • Clinical I
  • Introduction to Paramedicine
  • Paramedic Pharmacology and Medication Administration
Term 4 — Spring
  • Clinical II
  • Medical and Psychological Emergencies
  • Special Populations for the Paramedic
  • Traumatic Emergencies for the Paramedic
Term 5 — Summer
  • EMS Operations
  • Transition to Paramedic Practice

To participate in the Emergency Medical Services Associate of Science (AAS) degree program course work you will be required to complete background screenings, including a criminal background check, sex offender registry, child abuse registry, and dependent adult registry before participating in clinicals. The outcome could possibly affect your opportunities to participate in the clinical setting.

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

You have completed the Emergency Medical Services Associate of Science (AAS) degree program. Check out the Health continuing education courses to keep up to date in your profession.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for Volunteers

Emergency medical responders (EMR) and emergency medical technicians (EMT) classes are available for those who would like to serve their communities on a volunteer basis.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for Volunteers Course Offerings

Careers

Positions

Graduates may find employment working as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or paramedics in fire departments, hospitals, private ambulance services, air medical services, federal agencies, and private corporations.

Example Careers and Average Wages
Entry Average Experienced
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics $26,000 $38,400 $44,600

Source: 2021 Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Workforce Development

Employers

The following is a partial list of employers who have hired graduates from this program:
Business Location
Area Ambulance Service Cedar Rapids
CARE Ambulance, LLC Iowa City
Davenport Fire Department Davenport
Mason City Fire Department Mason City
MEDIC EMS Davenport
Mercy Medical Center Cedar Rapids
MercyOne Waterloo
North Benton Ambulance Service Vinton
Waterloo Fire Rescue Waterloo
Waverly Health Center Waverly

Contact Us
Admissions Email Admissions 319-296-4000 Hawkeye Center 114
Academic/College Success Advisor Lisa Wright Email Lisa Wright
Schedule an appointment with Lisa Wright		 319-296-4014 ext.1068 Student Services
Hawkeye Center 208
Program Director Johnathan Cockrell Email Johnathan Cockrell 319-296-4428 Health Education and Services Center 223
Administrative Assistant Brenda Bartz Email Brenda Bartz 319-296-4010 Tama Hall 110

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