Programs Offered
BMCC’s Paramedic program will prepare you for an exciting career as a medical professional, helping people in emergency situations. Picture yourself cruising through the busy city streets with a roaring ambulance siren as you race to help save a life. You’re the first responder to the scene of an accident, a heart attack, or a serious injury, and you know just what to do. With the help of BMCC’s Paramedic program, you will be ready.
Learn to Save Lives
Your training will prepare you to perform advanced life support skills, from administering life-saving medication to performing complex medical procedures. You’ll learn how to assess the severity of a situation, stabilize a patient and transport them safely to a hospital. At BMCC, it’s not just about what you learn in the classroom. The Paramedic program includes clinical training and internships in a hospital. You’ll gain hands-on experience working with other medical professionals, treating patients and handling medical procedures.
Train on State of the Art Equipment
- Ambulance Driving Simulator – Whether or not you have ever driven before, you can practice without leaving the paramedic classroom. Our driving simulator will allow you to practice in a safe environment, while improving your awareness and building techniques that can be used in your job as a paramedic. In fact, BMCC is the only paramedic program in the state of New York with an ambulance driving simulator.
- Diverse Complexion Manikins – BMCC paramedic students can practice on manikins that represent different cultures. We also have manikins that represent people of different age groups — not only adults, but also infants — so you can be prepared to help these very young patients in the future. These newer manikins are very life-like; you can practice giving them injections, setting up intravenous lines and even assist them in giving birth!
Frequently Asked Questions
EMT vs. Paramedic: What's the difference?
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) learn basic life support skills, including stabilizing and transporting patients to a medical facility. EMTs can perform interventions with basic equipment found on an ambulance. Paramedics are the most advanced of all first responders, who are trained in advanced life support skills, including intravenous therapy, intubation, and the administration of lifesaving medications.
Paramedics have more complex skills and are trained to use all basic as well as advanced equipment on the ambulance. Besides working on an ambulance, other exciting options for Paramedics include working as a Firefighter-Paramedic or a Helicopter Flight Medic.
Learn more about EMT vs. Paramedic careers.
What if I start the program and don't like it—will I be out a lot of money?
No—you will not lose any money as the course, textbooks and supplies (including a stethoscope, lab coat and paramedic uniform) is completely covered. Plus, if you just complete the first course in the program—EMC 100 (Emergency Medical Care)—you will have the background to take the EMT Certification exam and work as an EMT.
If I have been working in the field, can I get credit towards the degree?
Advanced standing status will be considered on a case by case basis. New York State certified Paramedics are granted advanced academic standing and have the opportunity to complete the liberal arts and sciences sequence and earn the A.A.S. degree.
Is the paramedic credential only good in New York State?
Not at all. After you complete the program, you will take an exam to get certified as a paramedic. This certification is good anywhere in the United States. As there is always a need for paramedics, your future will be secure where ever you choose to live.
How do I get paramedic certification?
Upon successful completion of the two-year curriculum, you will be awarded the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. Upon completion of the Paramedic portion of the program, you will be eligible to take the New York State Paramedic Certification Examination, the New York City Regional Medical Advisory Committee (REMAC) Certification Examination, the National Registry of EMT/Paramedics Certification Examination, and will receive:
- Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification,
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification,
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification, and
- Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support Certification.
Learn more about the role of the paramedic: Technical Standards (pdf)
Accreditation
Accreditation
The Borough of Manhattan Community College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CoAEMSP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CAAHEP).
Program Policies, Data and Goals
Program Policies
Prospective students must meet the following criteria:
- In order to maintain eligibility in the program, students must attain an average of 75% or better in all EMC-courses. Students seeking entry to the EMC 100 course must have an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher to enroll. Students who, upon admission, are NYS certified Emergency Medical Technicians, and who maintain active certification, are exempt from EMC 100 and will receive credit.
- No waiver of any other required course will be granted with the exception of transfer credit from another accredited college program that is the equivalent of a BMCC course. Transfer students should contact the Admissions Office for further information.
- Admission to the upper level Paramedic sequence occurs in the Fall semester only. All students must complete any remedial requirements prior to admission to the Paramedic sequence and must have completed all prerequisite coursework with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students who fail any EMC course in the upper level paramedic sequence must repeat the entire EMC sequence.
- All students in EMC classes are required to show proof of physical examination, per New York State Department of Health requirements for hospital personnel. Students entering EMC 101 must also successfully pass a criminal background check and a forensic drug screen.
- All students entering EMC 101 must currently be a certified New York State EMT and must maintain certification for the duration of the paramedic sequence. Students who have been previously academically dismissed from the program must attain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or better in order to re-enter the Paramedic Program.
Program Data
Program Goal: Program’s minimum expectation
The program’s goals are to prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.
Transfer Options
BMCC has articulation agreements with several four year colleges to allow you to seamlessly continue your education there without any loss of credits. These colleges that offer health administration or emergency services degrees that will ensure full academic credit for the BMCC A.A.S. degree.
Explore Careers
BMCC is committed to students’ long-term success and will help you explore professional opportunities. Undecided? No problem. The college offers Career Coach for salary and employment information, job postings and a self-discovery assessment to help students find their academic and career paths. Visit Career Express to make an appointment with a career advisor, search for jobs or sign-up for professional development activities with the Center for Career Development. Students can also visit the Office of Internships and Experiential Learning to gain real world experience in preparation for a four-year degree and beyond. These opportunities are available to help BMCC students build a foundation for future success.
Contact
Professor Meghan Williams
Program Coordinator
EMTMedic@bmcc.cuny.edu
Related Communities
Information Sessions
Join one of our Zoom Information Sessions to learn more about becoming a Paramedic.
Requirements
Paramedic Academic Program Maps
Required Common Core
Flexible Core
Curriculum Requirements
- This two-semester course explores the human body as an integrated, functional complex of systems. Terminology, structure and function of each organ-system, with emphasis on their interrelationships, are explained. Required of students in the health services technologies; available to all other students for elective credit.
Prerequisite for BIO 426 is BIO 425. Two terms required. Prerequisite: CHE 118 or CHE 121, or departmental approval NOTE: BIO 425 and BIO 426 do not meet the science requirements in the liberal arts curriculum.
Course Syllabus - This course is a training program to provide the students with the necessary basic skills and knowledge to deal with a broad spectrum of illness and injuries in the pre-hospital care phase of emergency medicine. Upon successful completion of the course, students will take the New York State Emergency Medical Technical Certification Examination. Once certified, and upon completion of certain fundamental core courses, the student will be eligible to take the advanced paramedic level courses of the program. The course will be offered in the fall and spring semesters only.
- This course provides students with the knowledge of human anatomy and physiology as required for the understanding of assessing and treating victims of sudden illness or injury. Pathophysiology and management of problems, patient assessment, and techniques of management of the cardiovascular system and respiratory system, as well as all other systems, are introduced. Prerequisite: New York State Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician Corequisites: EMC 102, EMC 301
- This course provides students with the knowledge of assessing victims of sudden illness or injury with the understanding of the underlying anatomy and physiology of the affected tissue, organ, or system. Students will also be given an understanding of appropriate treatment modalities for certain disease entities and injuries. Students will also be provided with the knowledge and skills required for treating victims of sudden illness or injury as pre-hospital care givers.Corequisites: EMC 101, EMC 301
- This course provides students with the knowledge of appropriate assessment of the cardiac patient, the knowledge and skill to read normal electrocardiograms, recognize cardiac arrhythmias on same, operate and interpret electrocardiograms. It also provides students with the skills to use a defibrillator, and to perform defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion. Students are also provided with knowledge of local, general, and systemic effects of specific drugs, as well as the absorption rates via intravenous, subcutaneous, oral, transtracheal, and intramuscular routes of administration. Students are provided with the knowledge of the effects of alpha and beta receptors in the heart, lungs, and arteries, as well as beta blockers. Students are also provided with the knowledge of dose, dilution, action, indications and use, precautions, incompatibility, contraindications, side effects, antidotes of specific drugs, and skills of administering drugs. Prerequisites: EMC 101, EMC 102 Corequisites: EMC 202, EMC 302
- This course provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform physical examination on patients with suspected injury to the head, spinal cord, cervical spine, neurologic problems, and general seizures. It also provides students with the knowledge and skills to recognize symptoms of diabetes mellitus, insulin shock, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and treatment of same. In addition, students are provided with the knowledge of appropriate treatment of a patient who has ingested poison. Students are provided with the knowledge and skill required to catheterize both male and female urinary bladders. Students are also provided with the knowledge and skills required to arrive at a decision to transport patients in labor or to prepare for delivery, as well as functioning in all childbirth possibilities. Students are provided with the knowledge and skills of management in mass casualty situations, situations involving a battered or sexually abused child, and situations involving emotionally disturbed patients who are combative. Prerequisites: EMC 101, EMC 102 Corequisites: EMC 201, EMC 302
- Students are provided with clinical training experience at the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, City Morgue, and with the Hospital Phlebotomy team. Students will also perform clinical service in the Emergency Department, Operating Room, and with the Paramedic Ambulance. Students will acquire further experience in the Labor and Delivery Suite, Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department, and Psychiatric Emergency Department. Corequisites: EMC 101, EMC 102
- In this second EMC/Paramedical clinical rotation course students continue their work in the hospital emergency room. In addition, clinical rotations are provided for experiences on the paramedical (advance life support) ambulance, in the operating room, and in the New York City Medical Examiner's Office.Prerequisites: EMC 101, EMC 102, EMC 301 Corequisites: EMC 201, EMC 202
- In this final EMC/Paramedic clinical rotation course students complete their required hours in the hospital emergency room and on the Paramedic (A.L.S.) ambulance. Additional development of knowledge and skills is provided in the labor and delivery rooms, psychiatric facilities, ICU/CCU, Cardiac Catheterization laboratory, pediatric neonatal clinic and well baby clinic. Prerequisites: EMC 201, EMC 202, EMC 302
Footnote
- For students whose first language is not English, SPE 102 will satisfy this requirement.
