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Paramedic Program

Sauk Valley Community College is excited to add a Paramedic program to its offerings in 2025. Paramedics receive the most advanced level of EMS training. Paramedics are trained to assess and provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) prehospital treatment to patients who are critically ill or injured. This includes advance cardiac life support, medication administration, IV therapy and advanced airway management.

This extensive Paramedic course combines reading, lecture, computer-based and online learning, significant study time, and practical labs. Skills taught include all areas of patient assessment (medical, cardiac, pediatric and trauma), airway management, splinting and appropriate ALS interventions.

The program schedule will consist of approximately 35-week didactic portions (to include: classroom, skill lab, and simulation lab). Students will be given ample lead time on additional scheduled sessions for breakout sessions and skills validation. Clinical I and Field I hours may be completed during the didactic portion on the non-scheduled classroom/lab days. Once the core content of the program is complete the student will participate in the Clinical II and Field II portion of the course. This course also includes ACLS, PALS and ITLS.

Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-Paramedic (NREMT-P) exam. The course length will vary from student to student lasting approximately 12 – 14 months.

Program Requirements

  • Interested candidates need to have good physical stamina, endurance, and body conditions to handle significant lifting, stooping and walking. Candidates must balance items and patients in excess of a minimum of 125 pounds.
  • The candidate must be 18 years old and be certified as an EMT and as a CPR professional through the American Heart Association. Paramedic is the next step in career progression for an EMT.
  • Complete an online Mercyhealth Paramedic Program Application which includes; proof of licenses, two (2) letters of recommendation, one (1) reference letter from a present or past employer, official transcripts, and letter of intent.
  • Candidate will take an EMT cognitive exam, math exam, and participate in an oral interview before being accepted into the Paramedic Program.

Program Goals

The program goals are to prepare competent entry-level Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains, (with or without exit points at the Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate, and/or Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, and/or First Responder levels).

Graduate paramedic students that are prepared to successfully pass the NREMT-P Exam.

This program is designed for individuals interested in career opportunities with ambulance services, fire departments, hospitals, and rescue departments.

The Paramedic program will start at Sauk Valley Community College in August 2025. The tuition cost will be $3,500 and includes textbooks. An information session will be held during the spring 2025 semester. If you have any questions, please contact Brenda Helms at 815.835.6212 or brenda.helms@svcc.edu.