The Jersey City Medical Center/Hudson County Community College Program for Pre-Hospital Medicine is committed to being a leader in Emergency Medical Services education. Dedicated to educating students in the service of humanity, the Program for Pre-Hospital Medicine strives to produce competent, confident and compassionate Paramedics who recognize the dignity of all persons, and work always to be patient advocates. Through its educational endeavors, the Program for Pre-Hospital Medicine, in partnership with its students, faculty and staff, seeks to decrease suffering, improve health, and save lives within the many communities that our students will serve as Paramedics. These principles challenge students to strive for excellence, to become men and women in service to others, to integrate classroom and out-of-classroom learning, to develop their talents through discovery and social reflection, and to be concerned for the health and well-being of all persons. To achieve these ideals, all students are expected to contribute, through their words, actions and commitments, to the development and sustenance of a community characterized by respect, caring, responsibility, and honesty. These characteristics are essential to ensure the rights and privileges of all students, and to preserve the integrity of our educational community. Working together, students, faculty and staff help foster an atmosphere that furthers the mission of the Program for Pre-Hospital Medicine by:

1. Valuing all persons we come into contact with, especially our patients
2. Maintaining and promoting the highest standards of the EMS profession
3. Being persons of high moral and ethical character, worthy of the trust and confidence of those we serve
4. Supporting community health and accident prevention
5. Dedicating ourselves to being life-long learners; and
6. Working collaboratively with other healthcare educators and professionals

The Program for Pre-Hospital Medicine at Jersey City Medical Center enables students to gain a unique and in-depth experience in the emergency health services. Through a rigorous process of academic and clinical applications, students are prepared to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) as they pertain to the care and transportation of the sick and injured.

This paramedic program stresses that students demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, sound moral and ethical character, critical thinking abilities, and the capacity for making quick and appropriate decisions regarding patient care. As professional healthcare providers, JCMC/HCCC paramedic graduates are taught how to interact effectively with other emergency services personnel, to be dynamic leaders, to value life-long learning and personal development, to be of service within their communities, and above all to respect and sustain human life.

Upon successful completion of the Program for Pre-Hospital Medicine at Jersey City Medical Center, students are well prepared to assume their duties as a patient advocate - working always to act on behalf of those in need. Successful completion of the program, and all other academic requirements, will qualify students to take the National Registry Paramedic examination towards certification as a Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic (MICP) in the State of New Jersey.

In cooperation with Hudson County Community College, students who successfully complete the requirements for the JCMC Program for Pre-hospital Medicine can receive up to 66 college credits. These credits will be applicable towards earning an Associates degree in Applied Science through the College.

Tuition and fees are established on a yearly basis according to the fee schedule of Hudson County Community College. In addition to tuition, students are required to assume the cost of books, uniforms and testing fees for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

The Program for Pre-hospital Medicine at Jersey City Medical Center is a two-year course of study, leading to an Associates Degree in Applied Science from Hudson County Community College. Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for paramedic instruction and the academic requirements of Hudson County Community College, this program is designed to provide the student with the cognitive and psychomotor skills that are essential in performing the duties of an EMT-P. The JCMC/HCCC program offers a broad-based and comprehensive educational experience in some of the best clinical settings in the Northeast. The course is comprised of formal classroom instruction, a variety of clinical rotations, and a comprehensive field internship. The JCMC/HCCC EMT-P program, because of its academic setting, demands student commitment, excellent instruction, and dedication to life-long learning. For these reasons, the EMT-P course incorporates a variety of teaching methods - including lecture, small group activities, student teaching sessions, and skills laboratories. Students are encouraged and supported by their instructors to take responsibility for their learning, and to develop a knowledge base that will make them leaders in the Emergency Medical Services field.

The total number of General Education and Science courses equals 33 credits. Prior to the first Paramedic course, students must complete the HOBET Exam and 17 credits of college education, which includes BIO 111 MAT 102, ENG 101, and PSY 101. In addition, it is expected that students complete College Survival Skills within their first year of enrollment.

		Credits	Prerequisite	Corequisite
FIRST SEMESTER
BIO 111	Anatomy & Physiology I	4
ENG 101	College Composition I	3
CSS 100	College Survival Skills	1
MAT 102	Mathematics for the Health Sciences	3
CSC 100	Intro to Computers & Computing	3
Total		14
SECOND SEMESTER
BIO 211	Anatomy & Physiology II	4	BIO 111
PSY 101	Intro to Psychology	3
ENG 112	Speech	3	ENG 101
ENG 102	College Composition II	3	ENG 101
Total		13
THIRD SEMESTER
****	Multicultural Elective	3
EMT 101	Intro to Pre-Hospital Emergency Care	3	BIO 111, MAT 102; ENG 101, PSY 101	EMT 110, EMT 120
EMT 110	Pre-Hospital Medical Emergencies	4		EMT 101, 120
EMT 120	Pharmacological Intervention	4	EMT 101, 110
Total		14
FOURTH SEMESTER
ART ***	Fine Arts Elective	3
EMT 220	Emergency Cardiac Care	5	BIO 211, EMT 101,110,120	EMT 230
EMT 230	Special Populations in Pre-Hosp Care	4	EMT 101, 110, 120	EMT 220
Total		12
FIFTH SEMESTER
EMT 240	Pre-Hospital Shock/Trauma Mgmt.	3	EMT 220, 230	EMT 245, 250
EMT 245	Pre-Hospital Special Operations	2	EMT 220, 230	EMT 240, 250
EMT 250	Field Internship	5	EMT 220, 230	EMT 240, 245
Total		10
TOTAL CREDITS		63

To be eligible for the Certificate Program, a student must have earned a prior Bachelors Degree (or higher), and must be sponsored by the JCMC. A maximum of 15 college credits can be transferred into this program. The program consists of 17 credits in general education and basic sciences at Hudson County Community College and 30 credits in the professional component of Paramedic Science at JCMC.

		Credits	Prerequisite	Corequisite
PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
BIO 111	Anatomy & Physiology I	4	Students with college degrees may apply for (up to) 15 transfer credits. Science courses may not exceed five years from the time of completion to program admission. Courses descriptions must be equal to those of HCCC. A letter grade of C or better must be achieved.
PSY 101	Intro to Psychology	3
ENG 101	College Composition I	3
MAT 102	Mathematics for the Health Sciences	3
Total		13
FIRST SEMESTER
BIO 211	Anatomy & Physiology II	4	BIO 111
EMT 101	Intro to Pre-Hospital Emergency Care	3	BIO III, ENG 101
EMT 110	Pre-Hospital Medical Emergencies	4	Program Admission
EMT 120	Pharmacological Intervention	4	Program Admission
Total		15
SECOND SEMESTER
EMT 220	Emergency Cardiac Care	5	EMT 101, 110, 120	EMT 230
EMT 230	Special Populations in Pre-Hosp Care	4	EMT 101, 110, 120	EMT 220
Total		9
THIRD SEMESTER
EMT 240	Pre-Hospital Shock/Trauma Mgmt.	3	EMT 220, 230	EMT 245, 250
EMT 245	Pre-Hospital Special Operations	2	EMT 220, 230	EMT 250, 250
EMT 250	Field Internship	5	EMT 220, 230	EMT 240, 245
Total		10
FIFTH SEMESTER
		3	EMT 220, 230	EMT 245, 250
		2	EMT 220, 230	EMT 240, 250
		5	EMT 220, 230	EMT 240, 245
Total		10
TOTAL CREDITS		47

The Program for Pre-Hospital Medicine curriculum also includes instruction in the following specialty courses geared towards creating well-trained, well-rounded paramedics:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support (PALS)
• International Trauma Life Support (ITLS)
• HAZMAT EMS Operations & CBRNE Operations

Upon successful completion of their course of studies, all JCMC/HCCC paramedic candidates are expected to challenge the National Registry examination for Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedics. A passing score on this examination will lead to certification as a paramedic by the State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

EMT101- Introduction to Pre-Hospital Emergency Care

This course is designed as a comprehensive introduction to the paramedic profession and the practice of advanced medical skills in the pre-hospital treatment of the sick and injured. Through a variety of didactic and clinical experiences, students will grow in their understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a paramedic within the larger context of the emergency medical services profession. The history and development of EMS, the well-being of pre-hospital care providers, medical-legal considerations, ethics, therapeutic communications, personal and scene safety, patient assessment and other topics will be discussed. Clinically, a strong emphasis is placed on developing an assessment-based approach to patient care that leads to timely and appropriate treatment regimens and the support and sustaining of human life.

EMT110- Pre-Hospital Medical Emergencies

The major objective of this course is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the predominant medical emergencies encountered in the pre-hospital setting. A thorough review of the human body systems, cellular biology and the principles of pathophysiology provides a foundation for recognizing and treating the signs and symptoms of acute and exacerbated chronic medical illness. Pulmonology, airway management/intubation, neurology, urology, endocrinology, toxicology and substance abuse are among the many topics that will be addressed in this course.

EMT120- Pharmacological Intervention

This course is meant to provide students with a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of action, indications, contraindications, precautions, side effects and interactions of drugs administered in the pre-hospital setting. In order to accomplish this objective, students will employ a methodology that includes an in-depth study of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, methods of medication administration, and drug classifications. Students will also be introduced to the concepts of cellular physiology, acid/base balance and fluid and electrolyte derangements as they pertain to IV medication administration. Through a variety of didactic and clinical experiences, students will grow in their understanding of medication administration in the pre-hospital setting, and must exhibit an understanding of which drugs to use in treating specific pathologies and medical emergencies.

EMT220- Emergency Cardiac Care

This course is intended to teach emergency service personnel the epidemiology, assessment and treatment of cardiac related illness and sudden cardiac death. The anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, electrophysiology, cardiac pathology, ECG interpretation, cardiac arrest management and post-resuscitation care are all covered in-depth. Students will also complete the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) class as part of the requirements for completion of this course.

EMT230- Special Populations in Pre-Hospital Care

This course will introduce the paramedic student to the unique assessment and treatment challenges encountered within the neonatal, pediatric, geriatric and psychiatric patient populations. Given that patients from these populations often present with medical illness and traumatic injuries that are different from the average adult population, students will be taught to modify their assessment and treatment modalities to accommodate the size, anatomical differences and developmental needs of these individuals. Students will also complete the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Geriatric Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) classes during this course.

EMT240- Pre-Hospital Shock/Trauma Management

This course will introduce students to the assessment and treatment of shock/trauma in the pre-hospital environment. Students are taught to view trauma, which is the leading cause of death in persons age 1-44, as a preventable disease rather than an accidental occurrence. Consequently, emphasis is placed upon learning to identify and minimize many of the common factors that promote traumatic injuries (e.g. drinking and driving). In this regard, students are expected to take on the role of educating the community and being advocates for safer standards of living that promote health and reduce the risk of trauma-related injury and death. Topics to be discussed will include: kinematics of trauma, mechanisms of injury, blunt and penetrating trauma, shock/trauma resuscitation and Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS) or Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS).

EMT245- Pre-Hospital Special Operations

In this course students will learn the fundamentals of ambulance and pre-hospital special operations. Consideration is given to situations and circumstances that require specialized responses based on the location, size, nature, cause, effect and/or impact of the incident. Students will interact with Special Operations Division personnel to increase their awareness of scene safety issues, medical incident command, rescue operations, response to weapons of mass destruction incidents, crime scene awareness, etc.

EMT250- Pre-Hospital Field Internship

The Pre-hospital Field Internship offers students the opportunity to put their didactic skills into practice in a fast-paced, progressive EMS system that is dedicated to high-quality pre-hospital care. Students will be exposed to all aspects of pre-hospital care under the direct supervision of highly qualified preceptors. It is expected that students assume a leadership role in assessing and formulating prompt and appropriate treatment regimens with each patient contact. Throughout the Field Internship, students will participate bi-weekly in an Integrative Seminar. This aspect of the Field Internship serves to bring students and educators together to discuss and review calls from medical, social, socioeconomic, political and other perspectives. Successful completion of this course requires the submission of a research paper. Students may also choose to participate in a community service project during this course.