Earn a Paramedic Certificate or Degree and Prepare for National Registry Exam and Colorado Certification

Paramedic COP and AAS - Starts August and lasts 3 semesters till graduation in August

> 1,200 hours of learning, clinical rotations, and field internships. The flexible hybrid format allows students to attend lectures either in person or online, with required hands-on labs conducted at CMC Vail Valley.

Semester 1 - Fall

   EMS 2025 - Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice

   EMS 2026 - Fundamentals Paramedic Practice Lab

   EMS 2035 - Paramedic Trauma Emergencies

   EMS 2036 - Paramedic Trauma Emergencies Lab

   EMS 2029 - Paramedic Pharmacology

   EMS 2030 - Paramedic Pharmacology Lab

     EMS 2073 - Paramedic Clinical

Semester 2 - Spring

   EMS 2031 - Paramedic Cardiology

   EMS 2032 - Paramedic Cardiology Lab

   EMS 2033 - Paramedic Medical Emergencies

   EMS 2034 - Paramedic Medical Emergencies Lab

    EMS 2027 - Paramedic Special Considerations

   EMS 2028 - Paramedic Special Considerations Lab

   EMS 2080 - Paramedic Internship I (2 credits required)

Semester 3 - Summer

   EMS 2037 - Paramedic Internship Preparatory

   EMS 2081 - Paramedic Internship II

Minimum Hours Required

• Minimum Credit Hours Required (48)
• Minimum Contact Hours Required (1305)

Locations:

For the 2025-2026 cohort, the Paramedic AAS and COP programs will be offered exclusively at CMC Vail Valley at Edwards.

Future cohorts may include alternate lab locations at additional CMC campuses. These locations are currently under review and will be announced as they are determined.

Clinical and Field Rotation Sites

Multiple clinical sites are available throughout the Western Slope, Central Mountains, Front Range, and Metro areas. Opportunities for out-of-state clinical placements are also available; please contact program direction for more information.

Application Deadline for the 2025-26 Cohort is June 13th.

The following prerequisites must be met before an application to the paramedic program will be considered:

• Be 18 years or older by the first day of class
• Provide Colorado EMT IV Therapy Certification
• Submit a Paramedic Program Application
  • Including essay, resume, and letters of recommendation
• Hold a current AHA CPR for Healthcare Providers Certification
• Provide proof of health insurance
• Demonstrate college-level proficiency in reading, writing, and math
  • ACT/SAT scores, Accuplacer results, or transcripts
• Submit transcripts with a grade of C or better in:
  • Anatomy & Physiology I
  • Anatomy & Physiology II
• Hold National Registry and Colorado EMT-Basic or EMT-Intermediate Certification
• Pass a background check and negative 10-panel drug screen (required within the first two weeks)
• Evidence of at least 6 months of patient care experience as a licensed EMT-Basic, providing direct patient care, with an EMT Basic scope of practice, in a clinical or pre-hospital setting.

• Highly Recommended *not required: Basic EKG Interpretation Certification

Required Immunizations

• MMR
• Varicella
• Current seasonal flu vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccination
• Hepatitis B
• Tetanus vaccination
• Two negative 2-step TB tests or a Quantiferon blood test

*Colorado residents can access vaccination records through the Colorado Immunization Information System (fees may apply).

*There are no exceptions to Drug screen or background check requirements. Contact program faculty for details. Failure to maintain certifications or meet any prerequisites—will result in removal from the program.

Please choose "Nursing and Health Science" as your Academic Pathway and "Paramedic (AAS) or (COP)" as your Academic Program.

Questions?

Grant Middlebrook

Lead Paramedic Faculty

gmiddlebrook@coloradomtn.edu

Program Learning Outcomes are what we expect each student will learn while earning a degree or certificate. Meeting these learning outcomes is how we assess our performance as a college. Our learning outcomes support both important career skills and future success as a student.

Upon completing the Paramedic (AAS) program, CMC students will be able to:

1. Operate as a competent entry level paramedic in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
2. Follow professional, ethical, and legal guidelines while implementing the roles of the paramedic.
3. Establish a therapeutic and culturally appropriate patient relationship using professional communication.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of Advanced Life Support equipment.
5. Use critical thinking skills and strategies necessary to provide quality, safe, patient-centered care, identifying importance of evidence-based emergency medicine to patients with well-defined alterations in health.
6. Practice emergency medicine under the scope of practice set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Program Learning Outcomes are what we expect each student will learn while earning a degree or certificate. Meeting these learning outcomes is how we assess our performance as a college. Our learning outcomes support both important career skills and future success as a student.

Upon completing the Paramedic Certificate program, CMC students will be able to:

1. Operate as a competent entry-level paramedic in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
2. Follow professional, ethical, and legal guidelines while implementing the roles of the Paramedic.
3. Establish a therapeutic and culturally appropriate patient relationship using professional communication.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of Advanced Life Support equipment.
5. Use critical thinking skills and strategies necessary to provide quality, safe, patient-centered care, identifying the importance of evidence-based emergency medicine to patients with well-defined alterations in health.
6. Practice emergency medicine under the scope of practice set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Colorado Mountain College Paramedic 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).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355-113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
727-210-2354, fax
www.caahep.org

Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett TX 75088
214-703-8445
214-703-8992, fax
www.coaemsp.org

Certified and registered paramedics have careers with ambulance and fire services, hospital emergency departments and clinics, ski patrols and search-and-rescue organizations. Many go on to complete academic degree programs in pre-medical studies, physician assistant careers, nursing and emergency medical management.

The demand for paramedics is growing fast, providing expanding career opportunities. Many rural areas are making use of expanded scope skills, and are using paramedics in increased capacities. Some graduates will choose to work in a clinical environment.

Fire departments also have an increasing demand for firefighter/medics. Colorado Mountain College offers a Fire Science degree that complements our paramedic training.

Your CMC advisor can help with your plan to become a certified for EMT or EMS service in Colorado.

Q: How do I become state certified in Colorado?
A: You must successfully complete our state/nationally approved EMT-B program (testing, practical skill stations, and clinical rotations) and then pass the National Registry CBT (computer based testing) test. There are other requirements such as a criminal background check, 18 years of age, and establishment of lawful presence in the US. So, you must first become a National Registry EMT-B before applying for State EMT-B certification. Ultimate approval of state and/or national certification is not managed by Colorado Mountain College, but from the National Registry of EMTs and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Q: Can I use a current out-of-state EMT certificate to get my Colorado certification?
A: NO! You are required to have certification from the National Registry

Q: Is there a grace period on expired certificates?
A: NO! Your certificate expires on the date it expires. You may not practice as an EMT during this time. The CDPHE (Colorado EMS office) allows up to 6 months after your expiration date to get your paperwork and skills testing complete. The National Registry of EMTs will also not allow you to practice as an EMT past your expiration date.

Q: Is there a re-entry program for Colorado State EMS?
A: NO! Any person whose Colorado EMT certificate is more than 6 months expired is not eligible for renewal and must complete first-time application requirements. The exception to the rule would be that you have a current National Registry EMT-B certification that you could submit to the CDPHE.

Q: How do I reinstate an expired National Registry certification?
A: The following info is from the National Registry of EMTs. To be reinstated once EMT-Basic national registration has lapsed, the candidates must:

• If lapsed within a two-year period, document successful completion of a state-approved DOT National Standard EMT-Basic refresher education program within the past two years; submit a new application and fee; and successfully complete the NREMT-Basic cognitive examination and state-approved practical examination (within the past 12 months) that meets or exceeds Registry standards.
• If lapsed beyond a two-year period and still currently state-certified at the EMT-Basic level, document successful completion of a state-approved DOT National Standard EMT-Basic refresher training course within the past two years; submit a new application and fee; and successfully complete the NREMT-Basic cognitive examination and state-approved practical examination (within the past 12 months) that meets or exceeds Registry standards.
• If lapsed beyond a two-year period and state certification at the EMT-Basic level has also lapsed, document successful completion of a new state-approved DOT National Standard EMT-Basic education program within the past two years; submit a new application and fee; and successfully complete the NREMT-Basic cognitive examination and state-approved practical examination (within the past 12 months) that meets or exceeds Registry standards.

Q: How long are my certifications good for before they expire?
A: As follows:

• American Heart Assoc. CPR: 2 yrs.
• EMT Basic National Registry: 2 yrs.
• Wilderness First Responder: 3 yrs.
• EMT Basic State of Colo.: 3 yrs.
• Community First Aid & CPR: 2 yrs.
• Outdoor Emergency Care: 3 yrs.

EMT certification and recertification is a complicated process. Please call the EMS Education Office at 970-453-6757 ext. 2621 with any questions or concerns.