Program Overview
Beyond EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate is Paramedic. Paramedic requires substantially more training than EMT-B and represents the advanced life support (ALS) side of EMS. Paramedic is approximately 18-24 months in duration and equips the student with the skills necessary to provide advanced life-saving care in the out-of-hospital setting. Entrance in to the Paramedic program is contingent upon successful completion of all following prerequisites, application, and an oral interview.

Applicants to both the Certificate and/or AAS program must meet the following criteria of the Paramedic program entrance requirements:

• Attendance of one Paramedic Information Session
• Current EMT-Basic Certification for at least one year
• Current Health Care Provider CPR card for adult, child, and infant
• Successful waiver or completion of the PreParamedic Short Term Certificate
• COMPASS test results
• Application to the CBC Paramedic program and completion of acceptance interview
• Completion of the following classes with a minimum 2.0 GPA:
  • BIOL& 241/BIOL& 241L (Human A & P 1)
  • BIOL& 242/BIOL& 242L (Human A & P 2)

PreParamedic Short-Term Certificate
(maximum of four quarters for completion)
PMD 100...............PreParamedic Lecture.............2 cr
PMD 1002.............PreParamedic Practicum..........1-6 cr
(this course can be repeated for a maximum of six credits)
These courses are intended to be taken concurrently with other technical support courses.

The Paramedic program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). The goal of the Paramedic program is to prepare graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary for entry level Paramedic positions in agencies providing pre-hospital emergency services. The program follows the 1998 DOT Washington State Revised - National Standard Paramedic Curriculum.

Paramedic Courses
Program Application
Program Outcomes

Continuing Education Opportunities
The EMS department also provides various continuing education opportunities for certified paramedics in the Southeastern Washington region and Oregon. A National Registry 48-hour Paramedic Refresher course is offered annually during the fall, per the requirements for National Registry Paramedic Certification. The department also offers ALS OTEP for certified paramedics working in Benton and Franklin counties, to include ACLS, PALS, and a specialized Advanced Airway course. Contact the Paramedic program coordinator for more information on these offerings.

Faculty/Program Staff

• Eric Nilson
  Paramedic Program Coordinator
  Location: Richland Campus, E Building
  Phone: (509) 544-8307
  Email: enilson@columbiabasin.edu
  Education: A.A.S., University of Alaska, Anchorage; Paramedic Certificate, Columbia Basin College

Courses taught at CBC:
Initial Paramedic Courses, ACLS, PALS, Advanced Airway, ALS OTEP, Paramedic Refresher

• Sheryl Snyder, D.O.
  Paramedic Program Medical Director
  Location: Richland Campus, E Building
  Phone: (509) 544-8307
  Education: D.O., College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific; Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate, California State University; B.S.N., California State University; A.S., Cypress College

Courses taught at CBC:
Initial Paramedic Courses

• Troy Stratford
  Paramedic Program Director
  Location: Richland Campus, E Building
  Phone: (509) 544-8320
  Email: tstratford@columbiabasin.edu
  Education: B.S., University of Idaho; Paramedic Certificate, Columbia Basin College

Courses taught at CBC:
Initial Paramedic Courses, ACLS, Advanced Airway, ALS OTEP, Paramedic Refresher