Paramedic Program

EmergyCare - UPMC - CEM Paramedic Training Consortium

This unique partnership offers high-quality training leading to testing and certification as a National Registry Paramedic (EMT-P). The goal of the program is to prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession. For more information, contact Program Director Nolan Beardsley at 814-870-1040 or  nbeardsley@emergycare.org.

The EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Consortium 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.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions
214-703-8445
www.coaemsp.org

The program is accredited as an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Education Institute by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of EMS.

Paramedic Classes 

The Consortium Distance Learning Paramedic Program is a comprehensive training program for individuals 18 or older with a current Commonwealth of Pennsylvania-issued EMT certification. Advanced placement is available for AEMTS who meet the requirements of the advanced placement policy.

The program is 1,052 hours long, consisting of 20 to 28 hours per week (depending on clinical/field scheduling) for approximately one year. It uses a progression of didactic and laboratory sessions, followed by in-hospital clinical and field internship, to provide a comprehensive, integrated education.

Instructional methods include lectures, group discussions, demonstrations, practice sessions, role-playing, audio-visual media, scenarios, and guest lecturers. Quizzes, formative, and summative exams assess student progress in didactic, psychomotor, and affective domains.

Participants who complete this program become eligible to take the National Registry Paramedic certification exams to earn their Pennsylvania and National Registry Paramedic Certifications.

Admissions Process

Once your application has been received and reviewed, you will be contacted via email with instructions to complete the program's pre-admission testing and schedule an interview. Additional documentation required for admission must be submitted to the Program Director prior to, or at the time of, your interview. Applicants will receive detailed instructions regarding testing, interview scheduling, and required documentation throughout the admissions process.

Requirements to Apply

To apply for admission into the EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Program, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess a valid EMT or AEMT certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of EMS.
• Possess a valid PA DOH BEMS-approved Healthcare Provider-level CPR card.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Be able to pass the following criminal history background checks:
  • Act 34 PA State Criminal History Record Check
  • Act 114 PA FBI Fingerprinting / FBI Criminal History Check
  • Act 151 PA Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Check

Application Process

1. Application for the EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Program, with the accompanying $50.00 NON-REFUNDABLE application fee, can be made via the EmergyCare website.
2. You will receive an email with a link to EMS Testing to complete an “Entry Assessment” and a “Math Assessment”.  The email will also explain how to set up the In-Person interview.
3.  Attend your In-Person interview.
   1. During your interview, a Rubric System will be used to score the interview. The score will be based on your responses to the interview questions, your two assessment scores, and your responses to several scenarios.
   2. If accepted into the program, an acceptance email will be sent with instructions on completing items before the first class.
   3. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.
      1. The EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Consortium reserves the right to select applicants based on a holistic review of qualifications, assessments, and interview performance. Admission to the program is competitive and not guaranteed. Due to the volume of applicants and the confidential nature of the admissions process, the Consortium is not obligated to provide specific feedback or reasoning for non-selection.

Required Documentation

The following is required for an applicant to be considered for admission into the EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Program.

• Completed Application for Admission, Math and Entry Assessments, and In-Person interview. 
• Copies of the following:
  • Current PA DOH EMT or AEMT card. (Front and back)
  • Current Healthcare Provider Level CPR card. (Front and back)
  • Current Driver’s License (Front and Back)

Cost of the Program/Tuition

Tuition to attend the EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Program is $9,950.00.  The full tuition fee is due no later than five business days before the first class, or via payments in accordance with the tuition payment schedule. The student is responsible for transportation, food, ancillary books, personal medical expenses, personal equipment (e.g., stethoscope), and parking. Students are also responsible for the costs associated with any additional documentation, clearances, testing, evaluations, certifications, or other requirements imposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of EMS, or any other applicable regulatory authority, as described under Course Corequisites. Costs charged by outside providers are not included in tuition and are subject to change. Eligible advanced-placement students receive a $1,000 tuition reduction, resulting in total tuition and fees of $8,950.00.

No financial aid is available through the EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Program.

Tuition Payment

Tuition payments are due in accordance with the individual's signed Tuition Agreement. Please contact the Program's Director for more information regarding tuition and/or specific payment arrangements.

Course Cancellation

The Program may cancel or postpone a scheduled course due to insufficient enrollment or other circumstances that prevent it from offering the course as scheduled. Students will be notified as soon as reasonably possible and, for an enrollment-based cancellation, at least five business days before the course start date. If the Program cancels the course, all Program tuition and fees paid for the course will be refunded within eight weeks after the cancellation notice. The nonrefundable application fee and payments made directly to outside providers are excluded.

Advanced Placement Policy

Purpose

To provide an advanced placement pathway into the Paramedic program for AEMTs who completed their AEMT certification through the EmergyCare Training Institute, based on prior learning, competency, and program alignment, thus ensuring all standards outlined within the National EMS Education Standards are met.

Eligibility Requirements for Advanced Placement

AEMTs seeking advanced placement must:

1. Hold a current and unrestricted AEMT certification (state-level).
2. Have attended and successfully completed the EmergyCare AEMT education program on or after January 23, 2023.
3. Meet all general admissions requirements as set forth in the Student Handbook.
4. Submit a formal written request with their application stating that they are seeking advanced placement. This request must include the dates of their AEMT certification course and a copy of their current AEMT certifications. 

Advanced Placement Competency Verification

Because advanced placement is limited to applicants who successfully completed the EmergyCare AEMT education program on or after January 23, 2023, the Program evaluates prior learning using its own AEMT curriculum, competency mapping, and retained student evaluation records.

Students seeking advanced placement based on AEMT certification must submit a written request to the Program Director. Requests will be reviewed to determine eligibility in accordance with the program’s advanced placement policy.

Before advanced placement is awarded, the Program reviews the applicant's AEMT education record to verify documented competency in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains applicable to the Paramedic Program content for which advanced placement is being granted. Evidence may include academic and examination records, psychomotor competency evaluations, affective evaluations, course-completion records, and the Program's documented curriculum alignment with the National EMS Education Standards.

Successful completion of the EmergyCare AEMT Program does not, by itself, guarantee advanced placement. Advanced placement will be awarded only when the Program can verify, from its records, that the applicant successfully completed and demonstrated the applicable competencies in the portion of the Paramedic curriculum for which advanced placement is requested. When the Program cannot verify the required competency documentation, advanced placement will not be granted.

Because competency is verified through the Program's existing AEMT educational and evaluation records, no separate advanced-placement challenge examination is required unless the Program determines that additional assessment is necessary to verify an applicant's competency. Documentation supporting the advanced placement decision will be maintained in the student's Program record.

Decision Process

Acceptance with advanced placement is not guaranteed and will be based on meeting the outlined requirements. The Program Director and the Program Dean will make the ultimate decision. If advanced placement is not granted, the applicants will start at the beginning of the first module. The advanced-placement decision will be communicated to the applicant as part of the Program’s written admission decision. The total tuition and fees for an applicant approved for AEMT advanced placement are $8,950.00, as stated in the Cost of the Program/Tuition section of this Handbook.

Credit Awarding and Curriculum Placement: If the AEMT candidate has been granted advanced placement, they will be enrolled in the Paramedic program at the beginning of Module 3. For progression purposes, approved advanced placement satisfies the Module 1 and Module 2 prerequisite requirements.

Once enrolled, the student will be subject to all academic, clinical, and behavioral standards required of paramedic students. They will be eligible to continue through the program in sequence, including clinical internships and capstone experiences, and must meet all standard graduation and certification requirements to complete the program.

Refund Policy

The EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Consortium is committed to fair and transparent financial practices. For purposes of this policy, Program tuition means the total tuition and fees charged to the student: $9,950.00 for the full Program or $8,950.00 for an eligible advanced-placement student. Refund percentages are applied to tuition payments that the Program receives. A refund will not exceed the amount the student has paid.

• Withdrawal Before the Program Start: Students who withdraw before the first day of the Paramedic Program will receive a refund of all tuition paid, less a $500 non-refundable administrative fee.
• Withdrawal After the Program Start:
• A student who withdraws after the Program begins but before the start of the fourth scheduled class session will receive a refund equal to 75% of tuition payments received by the Program.
• A student who withdraws on or after the start of the fourth scheduled class session but before the start of the sixth scheduled class session will receive a refund equal to 50% of tuition payments received by the Program.
• A student who withdraws on or after the start of the sixth scheduled class session will not receive a tuition refund.
• Non-Refundable Costs: Application fees and expenses paid directly by the student to outside providers are not part of Program tuition and are not refundable by the Program.
• Withdrawal Process: The student must submit a signed written withdrawal to the Program Director. Refund eligibility will be determined by the date and time the Program Director receives the withdrawal.
• Dismissal: Students dismissed from the program for academic, behavioral, or other violations are not eligible for a refund.
• Refund Timing: Any refund due under this policy will be processed within eight weeks after the Program Director receives the student’s signed, written withdrawal.

Non-Discrimination Policy

EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Consortium is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

 This policy applies to all aspects of enrollment, education, employment, training, and participation in programs, services, or activities conducted by EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Consortium.

EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Consortium strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination or harassment and expects all students, instructors, employees, volunteers, contractors, and participants to adhere to these standards.

Anyone who believes they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment violating this policy is encouraged to report the incident promptly to the appropriate contact (such as Program staff, Program Director, or Program Dean).

We are committed to responding to complaints seriously, investigating them promptly and thoroughly, and taking appropriate corrective action when warranted.

Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

Harassment, including sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, is strictly prohibited. Any student who experiences or witnesses harassment or misconduct is encouraged to report the concern promptly.

Reports may be made to the Program Director or designee. Complaints will be addressed promptly, impartially, and confidentially to the extent possible.

Non-Retaliation

Retaliation against any individual who reports a concern, participates in an investigation, or exercises rights under this policy is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.

ADA Statement and Policy

The EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Consortium is committed to complying fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensuring equal opportunity for all qualified individuals with disabilities. We are dedicated to providing an inclusive learning and working environment where students, employees, and participants with disabilities can thrive.

The Program will consider requests for reasonable accommodations on an individualized basis and in accordance with applicable federal and Pennsylvania law. The Program is not required to waive an essential academic, clinical, psychomotor, patient-safety, certification, or technical requirement or provide an accommodation that would fundamentally alter the nature of the Program. Applicable Pennsylvania Department of Health and National Registry accommodation procedures will also be followed. All documentation and communication related to accommodation requests will remain confidential and only be shared with individuals directly responsible for implementing approved accommodations.

Accommodation Requests
Individuals requesting accommodation should contact the Program Director:

• Name/Title: Nolan Beardsley, Program Director
• Email: nbeardsley@Emergycare.org
• Phone: 814-870-1040

Requests will be acknowledged within three business days of receipt. The Program Director will provide a written decision within ten business days after receiving the information reasonably needed to evaluate the request. If additional time is needed, the student will receive written notice of the reason and expected decision date.

At EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Consortium, we believe that diversity, accessibility, and inclusion are critical to the strength and success of our educational programs.

For more information or questions about future course offerings, please contact our Education Department at education@emergycare.org