NMCC EMS Program Accredited
NMCC Emergency Medical Services students (left to right) Marina Feltis, Leigha Langley, and Leanne Fitzpatrick, practice how to safely move and transition a patient down stairs using a device called a “stair chair.”
Aroostook County – Northern Maine Community College has succeeded in earning national reaccreditation for its Emergency Medical Services program. After a two-year process of preparation and thorough examination, College officials were notified about the designation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org).
The Commission accredits a variety of health educational programs in order to ensure that instruction is meeting national industry standards. Accreditation helps to secure a supply of qualified health care professionals.
“The accreditation team was meticulous in its examination of the program and we’re very proud of the program’s continued accreditation,” said NMCC President Timothy Crowley. “It is extremely important to the College to have nationally-accredited programs because the endorsement indicates the level of quality available for our students and prospective students, as well as community partners and health-industry employers.”
The process of accreditation includes a self-study and an on-site visit by an accreditation team. It was determined that the EMS program meet the educational standards and guidelines established by the profession. The curriculum for the two-year Associate in Applied Science degree includes classroom instruction, skills labs and about 600 hours of off-campus externship. Upon graduation, NMCC students are eligible to sit for the National Registry of EMT-Paramedic Licensure exam.
According to Andrew Gagnon, EMS department chair, “Accreditation ensures that our students are comparable to their peers across the nation, making a more marketable graduate and enhancing the overall level of the EMS profession. Graduating students from accredited programs are allowed opportunities to practice across the country.”
The accreditation is effective for five years and is renewable subject to further review and audit in order to keep the program up to date with national industry standards.
To learn more about the emergency medical service program at NMCC visit nmcc.edu.