Paramedic Technical Certificate

For more information, contact the Health Sciences division at 615-230-3330.

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 National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards, discussions include the application of advanced patient assessment, problem recognition, and advanced treatment modalities for medical, trauma, and environmental emergencies. Clinical exposures in local hospitals and EMS Services assure appropriate experience in dealing with emergencies for all age groups including pediatrics and geriatrics.

Students must have a current Tennessee Advanced EMT (AEMT) license.

The program is CLOSED to general enrollment, and students are competitively selected. Individuals wishing to be selected must complete the following application process:

  1. Application to the College submitted by April 30
  2. Application to the Paramedic Program by March 31
  3. ACT/SAT scores submitted (students under 21 years of age) or take the College Placement Examination (Compass)
  4. Basic EMT Knowledge Examination (see Paramedic Applicant Letter for important dates) 
  5. Psychological Profile (see Paramedic Applicant Letter for important dates)
  6. Personal Interview

Forms are on-line at http://www.volstate.edu/EMT/.

The Paramedic Technical Certificate is embedded within the Associate of Applied Science in Health Sciences, Paramedic concentration and within the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science, General Studies areas of emphasis.  Courses in this certificate may be used to award these degrees.

Program​ Learning Outcomes

  1. The student will integrate and synthesize the multiple determinants of professional roles and responsibilities of the emergency medical services system as well as emergency medical services system operations as a paramedic in the pre-hospital emergency care setting.
  2. The student will integrate and synthesize the multiple determinants of medical and legal considerations of operating as a paramedic in the pre-hospital emergency care setting.
  3. The student will integrate and synthesize the multiple determinants of the general pathophysiology of the human body relative to patient assessment, critical thinking and treatment.
  4. The student will integrate, synthesize, and evaluate the multiple determinants of the skills associated with advanced level management of age-related patient airway presentations as associated with respiratory emergencies for care as a paramedic in the pre-hospital emergency care setting.
  5. The student will integrate and synthesize the multiple determinants of pharmacological interventions available to treat patients as a paramedic in the pre-hospital emergency care setting.
  6. The student will recognize, classify and translate the multiple determinants of age-related patient cardiovascular emergencies associated with care as a paramedic in the pre-hospital emergency care setting.
  7. The student will recognize, classify and translate the multiple determinants of workforce safety and wellness as a paramedic in the pre-hospital emergency care setting.
  8. The student will recognize, classify and translate the multiple determinants of public health as a paramedic in the pre-hospital emergency care setting.
  9. The student will recognize, classify and translate the multiple determinants of emergency medical care communications associated with care as a paramedic in the pre-hospital emergency care setting.
  10. The student will recognize, classify and translate the multiple determinants of patient care documentation as a paramedic in the pre-hospital emergency care setting.
  11. The student will recognize, classify and translate the multiple determinants of age-related patient anatomy and physiology as associated with care as a paramedic in the pre-hospital emergency care setting.
  12. The student will recognize, classify and translate the multiple determinants of age-related patient care associated with life span development as a paramedic in the pre-hospital emergency care setting.

CIP Code: (31) 51.0904     SOC Code: 29-2041

Certificate Requirements - Credits (43)


  • EMSP 1311 - *Paramedic Clinical I Credits: (3)
  • EMSP 1401 - *Paramedic Skills Lab I Credits: (4)
  • EMSP 1801 - *Fundamentals of Paramedic I Credits: (8)
  • EMSP 2303 - *Paramedic Practicum Credits: (3)
  • EMSP 2402 - *Paramedic Skills Lab II Credits: (4)
  • EMSP 2403 - *Paramedic Capstone Credits: (4)
  • EMSP 2412 - *Paramedic Clinical II Credits: (4)
  • EMSP 2513 - *Paramedic Field Internship Credits: (5)
  • EMSP 2802 - *Fundamentals of Paramedic II Credits: (8)

Total Certificate Requirements - Credits (43)


Recommended Schedule


DegreeWorks, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning.  Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the DegreeWorks audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.

Fall Semester - Credits (15)


  • EMSP 1311 - *Paramedic Clinical I Credits: (3)
  • EMSP 1401 - *Paramedic Skills Lab I Credits: (4)
  • EMSP 1801 - *Fundamentals of Paramedic I Credits: (8)

Spring Semester - Credits (16)


  • EMSP 2402 - *Paramedic Skills Lab II Credits: (4)
  • EMSP 2412 - *Paramedic Clinical II Credits: (4)
  • EMSP 2802 - *Fundamentals of Paramedic II Credits: (8)

Summer Semester - Credits (12)


  • EMSP 2303 - *Paramedic Practicum Credits: (3)
  • EMSP 2403 - *Paramedic Capstone Credits: (4)
  • EMSP 2513 - *Paramedic Field Internship Credits: (5)