Emergency Medical Services

Start: Fall, Spring, or Summer.

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About the Program

The goal of the Emergency Medical Services program is 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.

The Century College Emergency Medical Service (EMS) program began in 1972 with Minnesota’s first state-approved EMT program, and the following year, we offered one of the region’s first paramedic program. Today, we continue to be a leader in EMS and public safety education in the area. Students will:

  • Perform in a critical role as a health care provider during challenging situations
  • Experience the thrill of saving lives in high-tech simulations and real-world emergency situations
  • Perform detailed medical and trauma patient assessments using advanced medical and diagnostic equipment
  • Work alongside professionals in clinical experiences including ambulance ride-along, emergency rooms, and hospitals

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Program Highlights

  • Faculty are well-credentialed, experienced experts in the field of EMS and are all currently working in the field. Review full-time faculty bios.
  • State-of-the-art skills lab including 2 full-scale ambulance simulators, a motor vehicle simulator, a wide range of manikins including Sim-Man™, Sim-Baby™, Mega-code Kid™, and industry-current equipment;
  • Medical direction is provided by Charles Lick, MD, Kacia Engel, MD, and Joey Duren, MD;
  • Partnerships with 916 and OEC allow a smooth transition from High School to College;
  • Interdisciplinary opportunities with Century’s Public Safety, Criminal Justice, and Law Enforcement career programs;
  • Articulation agreements with area four-year institutions, including Bethel University, St. Mary’s University, and Metropolitan State University.
  • Clinical placement at the metro’s high-acuity healthcare organization.

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Cost & Financial Aid

As a two-year public community and technical college, Century College receives funding from the State of Minnesota, keeping tuition rates significantly lower than private colleges and universities. With affordable tuition rates and financial aid and scholarship opportunities, our students avoid student loan debt.

Financial Aid

Century College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and our programs qualify for financial aid including grants, loans, and college work-study. Eligibility for financial aid is determined annually based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Century College’s Federal School Code is 010546.

Scholarship Opportunities

Each year, the Century College Foundation awards more than $300,000 in scholarships to Century College students involved in several areas of study. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.

Tuition Cost per Credit Comparison: Century College $212.29, UMN-TC $555.13, Private Colleges

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Accreditation

Since 1987, the Century College Paramedic program has been 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 Street North
Suite 7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 727-210-2350

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

Transfer

Five paramedics working on a CPR manikin.

Related Programs

Paramedic Program 

    Program Faculty

  • Lynda Goerisch
    Faculty/EMS & EMT Program Director
    Emergency Medical Services
  • Experience: Kim has been a full-time instructor since 1997, with extensive experience in clinical education, remediation, and assessment. In addition, she has been in EMS since 1987, with volunteer and work experiences in both rural and metro ambulance services, a police department, and a fire department. Kim continues to work as a paramedic for Healtheast Medical Transportation.
    Education: MA, Organizational Leadership, Bethel University
    Hobbies: photography, travel
    Kim Schmitzer
    Faculty/Paramedic Program Director/Clinical Coordinator
    Bio
    Emergency Medical Services
  • Experience: Dr. Caulkins has been teaching at Century for over 26 years and has been a practicing paramedic for that same length of time. With experience in firefighting, leadership, public health, education, research, and public safety, Dr. Caulkins is well-equipped to educate students on a wide variety of topics. Dr. Caulkins meets the MinnState qualification standards to teach in emergency medical services, health, health sciences, education, public safety, and anthropology.
    Teaching Approach: My personal philosophy of education is fairly eclectic and crosses several teaching philosophies. I believe that it is helpful, if not essential, that the teacher is a master/expert. I believe the teacher’s role is to cultivate knowledge and wisdom. The teacher is also a guide to lead the student through the educational process. Sometimes leading requires the teacher to be flexible in becoming a facilitator by establishing guidelines and boundaries. Sometimes the role is of a mediator. A teacher is also a learner and learning is reciprocal between the student and teacher. Learners are there to listen, observe, and receive knowledge but are also active participants.
    Education: Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration, St. Cloud State; Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Metropolitan State University; Master of Public Health, American Military University; Graduate Certificate in Career and Technical Education, University of Minnesota; Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies with a Focus on the Anthropology of Disaster, Metropolitan State University; Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services, American College of Prehospital Medicine; Associate of Arts, Inver Hills Community College; Associate of Applied Science in Paramedic Technology, Century College; Diploma, Paramedic Technician, Northeast Metro Technical College; Certificate, Community Paramedic Clinician, Hennepin Technical College
    Notable: Co-developed an emergency response plan that was used at the 35W bridge collapse and later adopted statewide.Traveled across the U.S. as an accreditation site visitor to review paramedic education programs.Participated in writing questions for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians credentialling test bank.Developed three two-year degree programs and dozens of courses.Internationally recognized suicidologist and researcher.Numerous publications including research papers, articles, books, and book chapters.Owner of a private consulting business, Caulkins Consulting, LLC.One of only six people nationwide accepted into the Emergency Medical Services for Children Scholars Program, which is led by the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.
    Hobbies: Travel, Reading, Learning
    Chris Caulkins
    Faculty
    Bio
    Emergency Medical Services
  • Brian Erickson
    Faculty
    Emergency Medical Services
  • Chad Mueller
    Faculty
    Emergency Medical Services
  • David Pierce
    Faculty
    Emergency Medical Services