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Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Whether in the field of Emergency Services or other healthcare fields, Chemeketa offers training to build on your skill set and advance your career.

topics Health Sciences

Skills & InterestHelping People

CareersHealth Sciences

  • Students load a patient on a stretcher into the back of an ambulance during a practice drill.
  • An EMT student practices on a training dummy in a lab.
  • An EMS students treats a patient on a stretcher in the back of an ambulance during a practice drill.

Why choose Emergency Medical Services (EMS)?

Every day, hundreds of Chemeketa graduates are saving lives working on ambulances caring for critically ill patients, responding on fire engines, providing patient care in healthcare facilities or performing first responder aid as law enforcement officers throughout Oregon and around the nation. Are you ready to become one of them?

Program Goals - Paramedic

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. 

Chemeketa's 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).

Contact

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727.210.2350
www.caahep.org

CoAEMSP
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75008
214.703.8445
FAX 214.703.8992
www.coaemsp.org

Program Outcomes - Paramedic

CAAHEP Accredited Paramedic Programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2022.

The most recent success rate for the National Registry of EMT Paramedic/State Cognitive exam was 97%.

The most recent positive placement rate for graduates was 100%. Positive placement is defined by the CoAEMSP as ‘Employed full or part-time in a related field and/or continuing his/her education and/or serving in the military’. Positive placement is measured at completion of the program.

The most recent retention rate was 85.7%.

The most recent written pass rate was 90.0%.

The most recent practical pass rate was 100%.

The most positive placement rate was 96.7%.

What will you learn?

EMTs and Paramedics work in a demanding field. These professionals must work well with others, think and act quickly as well as maintain a strong commitment to training and education. Chemeketa's nationally accredited program will help you with that commitment as you embark or expand your career opportunities in the EMT, Paramedic field or other healthcare occupations. Program offerings include –

  • EMT course
  • AEMT course
  • Paramedic associates degree 
  • Paramedic/Firefighter dual degree

See Course Sequences for more information.

Chemeketa's diverse, experienced emergency medical services faculty will help you earn your EMT, advanced EMT or paramedic license and pass National Registry exams.

What will you do?

You will learn to –

  • Assess patients and apply treatments in emergency medical situations
  • Use oral and written skills to communicate effectively in high-stress situations with patients, families and members of the healthcare team
  • Perform basic and advanced life support skills in a safe and timely manner
  • Provide on-scene leadership in emergency medical care situations

Licensed EMTs are eligible for work at ambulance companies, fire departments, police departments, hospitals, medical clinics and in the industry as on-site first responders. EMTs can also gain required clinical hours and patient contact opportunities to start their career in other healthcare fields, such as nursing, physician's assistant, medical school or other related healthcare occupations. Obtaining your EMT license is also an excellent first step in working on your Paramedic associate degree prerequisites.

  • Basic EMT Certification

    Chemeketa's EMT program will prepare you for entry-level jobs as an EMT and equip you for passing state and/or national registry exams leading to a license.

    You will learn about the human anatomy, emergency medical science and medical terminology as you make your way through the program. You will also learn hands-on skills to allow you to practice medicine once you obtain your EMT license. These skills are learned through intense face to face labs, hospital clinical rotation and ambulance ride time.

    EMT Information Packet 2024-2025

    Apply to the Program 
    • Apply for admission – Complete the admissions process through the college
    • Take the placement assessment  – The EMT certification program requires a placement assessment and it is recommended that you place at or above the following levels and the EMT program also requires proof of High School completion –
      • WR080 for writing skills
      • MTH060 for math skills
    • Complete new student orientation and meet with an academic advisor (if applicable)
    • Register for courses during your designated registration period through My Chemeketa .
    Co-requisites Requirements

    CPR for Healthcare Provider is a co-requisite for the EMT151 and 153 courses. You will take CPR concurrently during your EMT coursework.

    The skills assessment course is a co-requisite for the EMT152 and EMT153 courses and is related to your state practical skills testing. The EMT open lab is a required co-requisite for EMT 151, 152, and 153. 

    Vaccinations are required for this program, please see the requirements in the EMT Information Packet.

    Email Kristene Jackson, clinical coordinator, for specific deadlines. 

    Options for Completing Your EMT Training
    • EMT151 and EMT152 – two terms, 6 credits each
    • EMT153 – one term, 12 credits

    Upon successful completion of the coursework, you will be eligible to test for the National/written exam and the Oregon/practical skills exam. Once you successfully pass both exams, you will earn two EMT licenses, one for the state of Oregon and one as a nationally licensed EMT.

    Chemeketa offers an EMT course every term. The course options vary depending on the term, the course may be a night/weekend class, off-site class, day class, two-term courses or a one-term course. Please check with EMS staff to see which class may fit your schedule. All EMT classes are now offered as a hybrid format and will require regular access to the online E-Learning portal.

  • ADVANCED EMT (AEMT)

    You must be licensed as an Oregon EMT before seeking the AEMT. In Chemeketa's one-term hybrid AEMT program, you will take your skills to the next level by learning to provide advanced life support to patients before they arrive at the hospital. This is done through a ten-week hybrid course with –

    • Intense face-to-face labs
    • Live online lectures
    • Hospital clinical
    • EMS field experience

    Upon successful completion, AEMTs are usually employed in ambulance services and work in partnership with EMTs and paramedics, but this licensure can assist you with employment in other healthcare-oriented disciplines, too. Chemeketa's program prepares you to take National Registry examinations for licensure in Oregon.

    Program Goals

    To prepare competent entry-level Advanced Emergency Medical Technician in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains.

    Apply to the Program

    The AEMT program is a limited entry course. You are required to have a current Oregon EMT license and a current AHA BLS CPR card for this course. 

    • Apply for admissions to Chemeketa if you are a new student, complete the admissions process through the college and then
    • Complete the program application for possible acceptance into this high demand limited-enrollment class
    • After acceptance, you will be notified via email and provided clearance for registration

    The AEMT program requires a placement test (for new Chemeketa students), proof of High School completion and it is recommended that you place at or above the following levels –

    • WR080 for writing skills
    • RD085 for reading skills
    • MTH060 for math skills

    Advanced EMT Information Packet

  • OREGON INTERMEDIATE EMT (OREGON EMT-I)

    Not offering at this time.

    Completing Chemeketa's Oregon EMT-I coursework will prepare you for taking state exams leading to licensure. AEMT licensure is required before pursuing an EMT-I license. Students will build on their knowledge in a hospital emergency department or medical clinic under supervision.

  • PARAMEDIC

    In Chemeketa's nationally-accredited paramedic program, you will take general education courses as well as technical courses devoted to emergency medical services. You will also perform clinical rotations in hospitals and with ambulance services to gain hands-on experience.

    Paramedics are able to work more independently and accept more responsibility in the field.

    You will earn an associate of applied science degree in emergency medical technology, which qualifies you to take the National Registry examinations for certification and to be licensed in the state of Oregon as a paramedic.

    If you are interested in pursuing the Paramedic Degree you must meet the prerequisites and have already completed your EMT Licensure. You must also apply to be admitted into the program. Applications will be accepted in the fall for the spring class and in the spring for the fall class.

    Paramedic Program Chair/Instructor,  Chris Arbuckle, 503.399.2663, chris.arbuckle@chemeketa.edu
    EMT/EMS Instructor,  Kiva Lyell, 503.399.2660, kiva.lyell@chemeketa.edu
    EMT/Paramedic Instructor/Clinical Coordinator, Kristene Jackson, 503.399.6062, kristene.jackson@chemeketa.edu
    General EMT Program Email:  EMTprogram@chemeketa.edu

    Important dates:
    Application due:  Friday, May 16, 2025, by midnight
    Application fee: $40.00 must be paid online by Friday, May 16, 2025 (Make your payment)
    Confirmation emails for interview sent: Friday, May 23, 2025 by 5 pm (sent ONLY to Chemeketa email address)
    Interviews:  Thursday or Friday, June 5-6, 2025. Please plan for an all-day event consisting of an essay, a panel interview, and an assessment center. (A second day may be required depending on the number of qualified applicants)
    Acceptance emails sent: Thursday, June 13, 2025
    $150 acceptance fee: Due Friday, July 25, 2025 (Fee must be paid online. Instructions will be included in acceptance email)
    Mandatory Orientation: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 9 am-4 pm
    Mandatory Paramedic Bootcamp: Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, 9 am-4 pm

     

  • CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK & DRUG TESTING

    Upon entry into all programs (EMT, AEMT, EMT-Intermediate or Paramedic), you will be required to pass a criminal background check provided by a college approved vendor. If you do not pass the criminal background check, continuation in the program will not be possible. If you are arrested during the time you're enrolled in the program, you must notify the program chair of the arrest. Your status in the program will be reviewed by the program chair and the dean to determine your continuation in the program. You are also required to submit to a drug screen.

  • PROGRAM OUTCOMES - PARAMEDIC

    CAAHEP Accredited Paramedic Programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

    The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2022.

    The most recent success rate for the National Registry of EMT Paramedic/State Cognitive exam was 97%.

    The most recent positive placement rate for graduates was 100%. Positive placement is defined by the CoAEMSP as ‘Employed full or part-time in a related field and/or continuing his/her education and/or serving in the military’. Positive placement is measured at completion of the program.

    The most recent retention rate was 85.7%.

    The most recent written pass rate was 90.0%.

    The most recent practical pass rate was 100%.

    The most positive placement rate was 96.7%.