The paramedic program at the Emergency Medicine Institute of Lehigh Valley Health Network was founded by Dr. George E. Moerkirk in 1976. Since that time, the program has become more advanced with didactic classroom lectures, workshops, and hands on practical labs using human patient simulators. This program will provide ACLS, PALS, and PHTLS certifications as well as 12 lead EKG interpretation training. In addition, clinical and field rotations are required.
Clinical Rotations:
Enhanced clinical rotations at Lehigh Valley Health Network and Sacred Heart Hospital allow for education and practice in patient assessments, medication administration, and airway management.
Field Internships:
Opportunities to put clinical practice and didactic education into action under the close supervision of experienced paramedics.
Requirements:
- Current PA EMT certification (1 year of active experience preferred)
- High School Diploma or GED
- Anatomy and Physiology is a prerequisite (class is held in September of each year)
- If you have a college level A&P, semester 1 & 2, within the last 5 years and had a “C” or better, you can “test out” of this class
- Completed Paramedic Application
- Complete pre-entrance exams
- 30-40 spare hours to devote to the program
Class hours:
The paramedic program runs from January to December of each year. Class is Monday and Wednesday evenings from 1830-2200 hrs with one or two Saturdays or Sundays per month. The Anatomy and Physiology class starts in September each year.
Accreditation:
The Lehigh Valley Health Network Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).”
To contact CAAHEP or COAEMSP:
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354
www.caahep.org
COAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway
Rowlett, TX 75088
Phone: 214.703.8445
Fax: 214.703.8992
www.coaemsp.org"
Disclosures: Following information is required by COAEMSP to be disclosed.
National Registry Outcomes: (as of 12/31/15)
2015 Class:
Written: 14 out of 16 have successfully passed the written on the first attempt; one has not tested
Practical: 13 out of 16 have successfully passed the practical; three need to retest one or two stations; one student did not take the practical at this time
2014 Class:
Written: 15 out of 15 passed on the first attempt
Practical: 14 out of 15 passed on the first attempt; 1 passed on subsequent attempt
2013 Class:
Written: 15 out of 17 passed on the first attempt, 2 passed on the second attempt
Practical: 16 out of 17 passed on the first attempt, 1 passed on the second attempt
2012 Class:
Written: 14 out of 14 passed on the first attempt
Practical: 13 out of 13 passed on the first attempt, one person did not take the written
Retention:
2015 class: 17 of 21 completed the course 81%; 1 dropped for personal reasons, 3 failed
2014 class: 15 of 25 completed the course 60%; 6 dropped for personal reasons, 4 failed
2013 class: 17 of 27 completed the course 63%; 10 dropped for personal reasons, 0 failed
2012 class: 14 of 22 completed the course 77.8%; 4 dropped for personal reasons, 4 failed
Positive Placement:
2015 class: So far the 13 who are totally finished have jobs, the remaining 4 students have to complete the national registry testing.
2012-2014 Classes (All who completed were employed as paramedics)