Paramedic

The Paramedic technical certificate program is designed to prepare competent entry level graduates in emergency medical care to serve in emergency care settings such as an ambulance service. Using the most current U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum, discussions include the application of advanced patient assessment, problem recognition, and advanced treatment modalities. Clinical exposures in local hospitals assure appropriate experience in dealing with emergencies for all age groups including pediatrics and geriatrics.

The Paramedic program involves 43 course hours and takes three concurrent semesters (approximately 1 full yearafter completion of the Advanced EMT curriculum. The summer term includes 12 credit hours of clinical training in the field

Those considering the Paramedic Technical Certificate program must be licensed as an AEMT in the state of Tennessee. Students are admitted to the Paramedic technical certificate program through a competitive selection process. The program is not open to general enrollment. Individuals wishing to be selected must complete the following application process:

  • Tennessee-licensed AEMT applicants must complete this letter of interest Paramedic Application
  • Apply to the College submitted
  • Proof of immunity is required for MMR, Varicella Zoster (Chicken Pox), and Hepatitis B
  • Meet the reading requirement of a 12th grade reading level by either:
    • ACT
    • SAT
    • Compass or Accuplacer Test Score
    • Successful completion of ENGL 1010
  • Submit all transcripts from previous college-level courses to Admissions (as applicable)
  • Complete an Advanced EMT Knowledge Examination
  • Personal Interview
  • Meet program-specific requirements

Important Dates and Application

Gallatin Campus

Next class starts May 2025 (Summer Semester); all future classes start the Summer Semester of that year.

Application Deadline: January 31st of that year.
Entrance Exams: February 1st - 16th
Interviews: March 6th & 7th
Selection: Last Week of March
These dates are subject to change based on the State EMS and VSCC Faculty schedules.

Cookeville Campus

Next class starts August 2025 (Fall Semester); all future classes start the Fall Semester of that year.

Application Deadline: April 30th of that year
Entrance Exams: Third week of May
Interviews: Fourth Week of May
Selection: First week of June

Montgomery County

Next class starts August 2025 (Fall Semester); all future classes start the Fall Semester of that year.

Application Deadline: April 30th of that year
Entrance Exams: Third week of May
Interviews: Fourth Week of May
Selection: First week of June

Apply Today

For questions, please reach out to the Program Director (615-230-3351) or Clinical Coordinator (615-230-3215).

Program Breakdown

First Semester (15 Hours)

EMSP 1801*Fundamentals of Paramedic I8
EMSP 1401*Paramedic Skills Lab I4
EMSP 1311*Paramedic Clinical I3

Second Semester (16 Hours)

EMSP 2802*Fundamentals of Paramedic II8
EMSP 2402*Paramedic Skills Lab II4
EMSP 2412*Paramedic Clinical Lab II4

Third Semester (12 hours)

EMSP 2403*Paramedic Capstone4
EMSP 2303*Paramedic Practicum3
EMSP 2513*Paramedic Field Internship5

CAAHEP Accredited Paramedic Programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Accreditation

Volunteer State Community College 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).  

The program goals are:

To prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic educational programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Paramedic educational programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2022.

Outcome202220212020
Retention (%)10092.395.2
NREMT or State Cognitive exam (%)10097.289.7
Placement (%)10010097.5

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

To contact CoAEMSP:
214-703-8445
www.coaemsp.org