CSI PARAMEDIC PROGRAM

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CSI PARAMEDIC PROGRAM

• Interactive Advising Tutorial

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Welcome!

• This interactive advising tutorial has been
  designed to help you gain a better understanding
  of the CSI paramedic program.
• Topics such as prerequisites, the application
  process and what to expect during the program are
  all covered.
• Please take your time in the tutorial, visit the
  many hyperlinks that are provided, and watch it
  as many times as you like.
• Enjoy and let us know if you have questions!

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What is the difference between an EMT and a
Paramedic?

• An EMT-B course is approximately 140 hours after
  which the EMT-B provides basic life support to
  sick or injured patients.
• A Paramedic course is approximately 1,400 hours
  after which the paramedic provides advanced life
  support to sick or injured patients.
• To learn more, visit http//www.nremt.org/about/
  ems_learn.asp

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Do I have to become an EMT prior to enrolling in
the paramedic program?

• Yes. You must be at least an EMT-B to enter the
  paramedic program.
• CSI offers EMT-B and Advanced EMT courses every
  fall and spring semesters.
• For more information, contact Dennis Patterson,
  CSI EMT Program Manager at [phone] or
  dpatterson_at_csi.edu

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How do I begin my path of study?

• The first step is to complete this tutorial and
  then apply to CSI. For more information, click
  on http//www.csi.edu/level2.asp?id2
• The second step is to take the COMPASS Test at
  the CSI Testing Center in the Meyerhoeffer
  Building.
• The third step is to complete the prerequisite
  courses.
• The fourth step is to apply to the paramedic
  program.

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What are the prerequisite courses for the
paramedic program?

• EMT-B
• Biology 127 Human Anatomy and Physiology with a
  lab (4 credits)
• English 101 English Composition (3 credits)
• Math 123 Math in Modern Society (3 credits)
• Note These are the minimal prerequisite
  courses. Students who have completed higher
  level courses may have the above prerequisites
  waived.

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If I have taken prerequisites at another school,
can I transfer them to CSI?

• Yes, as long as you attended an accredited
  college and earned at least a C grade or higher
  in each of the courses.
• To do this, have an Official Transcript from each
  school attended sent to
• CSI Admissions Office
• PO Box 1238
• Twin Falls, ID 83303
  

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If my COMPASS Scores are high enough, do I still
need to take the prerequisite courses?

• If you score higher than the level of the
  required class, you may qualify to have certain
  course(s) waived.
• If you score high enough, you can have the
  required course(s) transcripted for an additional
  per-credit cost.
• For more information, contact the CSI Advising
  Center at [phone].

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Can CLEP exams meet the prerequisite requirements?

• Absolutely. Successful CLEP (College Level
  Entrance Placement) tests count as credit for
  courses.
• For more information on available CLEP tests,
  contact the CSI testing center. [phone]

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How do I apply to the paramedic program?

• After you complete the prerequisites, call (208)
  732-6701 to request an application or click on
  the program application link to download an
  application online.
• http//www.csi.edu/ip/nursing/paramedic/PDF/parame
  dicapplication.pdf

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How long is the CSI program?

• The CSI paramedic program is three semesters
  Spring, Fall, and Spring. Students have the
  summer off to work in the field, spend time with
  family or take courses towards their degree. The
  clock hour total of the program is approximately
  1,400 hours.

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Why should I attend the college based paramedic
program at CSI?

• The reasons for attending a college based program
  are many. Unlike other programs, CSI has a
  tremendous training facility, state of the art
  equipment, highly qualified and experienced
  faculty, financial aid, several computer labs, a
  simulation lab, human cadaver lab, student
  malpractice insurance, an extensive library, and
  students receive college credit for all classes!

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Is the CSI paramedic program state approved and
nationally accredited?

• Yes! The State of Idaho Bureau of EMS has
  approved all courses since the programs
  inception and the program is fully accredited by
  the prestigious national Committee on
  Accreditation of Education Programs for the
  Emergency Medical Services Professions/Commission
  on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
  Programs. CSI is also accredited by the
  Northwest Commission on Colleges and
  Universities.

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Is national accreditation important?

• Yes!
• Accreditation assures the program meets the
  highest standards of paramedic education in the
  country. Because of our commitment to the
  highest quality of education, accreditation is of
  utmost importance to the CSI paramedic program.
• For more information on accreditation visit
  http//www.coaemsp.org

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What is the class schedule?

• During the first semester Lecture is MWF
  10am-1pm, Lab MW or MF 2-5pm, and Clinical TTH by
  schedule for 100hrs.
• During the second semester Lecture is MWF
  10am-1pm, Lab MW or MF 2-6pm, and Clinical TTH by
  schedule for 200hrs.
• During the third semester Lecture/Lab is TTH
  9am-12pm for the first 4 and last 3 weeks. The
  remainder of the time is spent in internship at
  an agreed upon location.

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If I am a certified EMT in another state, can I
begin the CSI program?

• Yes, although you must keep your certification
  current throughout the program. (Coursework in
  the paramedic program applies towards continuing
  education in most states).
• For students interested in Idaho certification,
  visit http//www.idahoems.org

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What are the job markets and pay scales across
the nation for Paramedics?

• The job forecast for paramedics for the next 10
  years shows a national shortage of paramedics
  across the country. This will mean more jobs and
  higher pay.
• To see where current openings are, visit
  http//www.jems.com/careerpath/
• To see a salary survey, visit http//www.jems.com
  /jems/pdf/salary_survey02.pdf

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Where am I allowed to do my internship?

• Internships are based on student competencies and
  are conducted in metropolitan areas with high
  call volumes. This allows students to experience
  many types of calls in an adequate time frame
  during the third semester. A portion of the
  internship may be completed locally, but all
  students are required to participate in a busy
  metropolitan system.
• Current internships are offered in the Las Vegas,
  Galveston, and New Orleans areas at the following
  links
• Southwest Ambulance Las Vegas http//www.swalv.com
  /
• AMR Las Vegas http//www.amr-inc.com
• Acadian Ambulance http//www.acadian.com

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Do I pay for Internship?

• Yes and No.
• Many services do not charge for internship as
  long as you think you might want to work for them
  after you are certified. Others charge nominal
  fees.
• Students are responsible for housing, meals, and
  personal expenses while on internship.
• Many students choose to live with former students
  who are now employees of the respective services
  while on internship.

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Do I need health insurance while enrolled in the
program?

• Yes. Students are exposed to many illnesses and
  dangers and personal health insurance is a
  requirement.
• Several plans are available for purchase on your
  own or by inquiring at the Health Science and
  Human Services office.

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What are the physical and mental requirements of
a paramedic?

• The physical and mental requirements are set
  forth by the US Department of Transportation. To
  view them visit http//www.csi.edu/ip/nursing/pa
  ramedic/qualifications.html

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Can I work full time while in the program?

• Because of the demanding nature of the program,
  students are strongly discouraged from working
  fulltime. Few students have successfully
  completed the program while working full time.
  Many students do however, work part time, based
  on time available.
• Complete the following link to see how much time
  you have! How Much Time Do You Have?

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What is the cost of the program?

• The estimated cost of the program is
  approximately 4,000.00. Depending on various
  factors, it may be substantially less.
• Because the tuition cost at CSI is the same for
  20 credits as it is for 10, the cost is
  substantially less than other public and private
  programs.

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Can paramedic students qualify for financial aid
and scholarships?

• Absolutely. Students usually receive the most
  aid based economic need and academic performance.
• All students are encouraged to apply!
• For financial aid information, visit
  http//www.csi.edu/level3.asp?id7level3
• For scholarship information, visit
  http//www.csi.edu/level3.asp?id6level3

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What are the differences between the Technical
Certificate and the Associate of Applied Science
Degree?

• The TC is the paramedic curriculum with the
  minimum pre-requisites.
• The AAS includes all of the TC courses, plus a
  full year of AP (BIO 227 and 228) and additional
  courses in Communications, Bioethics,
  Pharmacology, and Medical Terminology.
• Note The state of Oregon requires all new
  paramedics who practice in the state have an
  Associate Degree. Many ambulance services and
  fire departments are beginning to award salary
  bonuses to employees with degrees.

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If I complete a TC, can I complete my AAS at a
later date?

• Yes. Once the remaining AAS courses are
  successfully completed a student can be awarded
  the AAS degree.

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Is there a form I can use to track my progress
towards my TC or AAS?

• Sure.
• For the TC (Technical Certificate), click on
• TCchkoff.pdf
• For the AAS (Associate of Applied Science
  Degree), click on
• AASchkoff.pdf
• Note These forms are used are to be used as
  references, not official documents.

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Upon graduation, will I qualify to work in any
state?

• CSI graduates qualify to take the National
  Registry of Emergency Medical Technician
  paramedic exam. Successfully completing the
  Registry certification enables individuals to
  apply for certification in most states.
• Occasionally states require individuals to take
  an additional state-specific test. For a
  complete list of state certification
  requirements, visit http//www.nremt.org/EMTServi
  ces/emt_cand_state_offices.asp

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How have CSI paramedic students performed on the
National Registry exam?

• Since the programs beginning, 100 of all
  graduates who have taken the difficult National
  Registry exam have passed. Over 90 of graduates
  have passed the exam on the first attempt, which
  is 26 higher than the national average and the
  best paramedic exam performance in the state of
  Idaho.

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What certifications do I earn while I am in the
CSI paramedic program?

• Students complete the American Heart
  Associations Advanced Cardiac Life Support
  (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  courses http//www.americanheart.org and the
  NAEMT Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
  course http//www.phtls.org All of these
  courses verify graduates have the latest
  knowledge and enhance their employability.

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Where are CSI graduates currently employed?

• Graduates of the program are employed in Idaho,
  Oregon, Louisiana, and Nevada working in Fire
  Rescue, Ambulance, Emergency Department, Tertiary
  and Home Healthcare settings.

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Upon graduation, will CSI assist me in securing
employment?

• Yes. The Center for New Directions offers
  assistance in resume preparation, interviewing
  skills, and placement assistance. To learn more,
  click on
• http//www.csi.edu/level3.asp?id49level2Servic
  es

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What can I do if I get tired of being a field
paramedic?

• Because the CSI paramedic program is
  college-based, the courses are all worth college
  credit. Many of these credits apply toward many
  other paths of study.
• Many former paramedics have gone on to study
  medicine, nursing, physician assistant studies,
  and law. Field paramedics also often move into
  professional positions as managers, educators,
  and non-traditional paramedic roles in
  occupational and/or industrial medicine, critical
  care settings, flight medicine, and emergency
  department settings.

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In review, what must I do to become a paramedic?

• First, you must feel a strong desire to help
  people at their time of utmost need.
• Second, you must complete EMT-B certification and
  show competence in Math, English and Anatomy
  Physiology. (Competence is usually met by
  completing pre-requisite courses which are all
  offered at CSI. Math and English are even
  available online. For course schedules visit
  http//www.csi.edu)
• Third, you must apply, be accepted, and complete
  an approved paramedic program.
• Fourth, you must pass a state or national
  certification exam.

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Remember!

• You can achieve everything you need to become a
  paramedic with CSI and the nationally accredited
  CSI paramedic program!

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More questions?

• Contact Gordon Kokx, CSI Paramedic Program
  Manager by email gkokx_at_csi.edu or by calling
  [phone].

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Thank you for watching!

• Did you enjoy the tutorial?
• Was it helpful?
• Is there information you would like to see added?
• Let us know your thoughts!
• Email us at gkokx_at_csi.edu