College of DuPage offers Paramedic Training, an A.A.S. Degree in E.M.S. and a Paramedic Certificate Program through affiliated area resource hospitals (Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Edward Hospital, Northwestern Central DuPage, and Loyola University Medical Center).
The Paramedic Programs offered by Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Edward Hospital, Northwestern Medicine at Central DuPage Hospital, and Loyola University Medical Center are 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 Profession (CoAEMSP).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 25400 US Highway 19
N., Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 210-2350
caahep.org
CoAEMSP
8301 Lakeview Parkway
Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX
75088
FAX 214-703-8992
coaemsp.org
Paramedic Program Outcomes
Paramedic Program Applications
Applications are now being accepted for the September 2020 Advocate Good Samaritan
Hospital and the January 2021 for Northwestern Central DuPage Hospital, Edward Hospital,
Loyola University Medical Center programs.
Applications for Advocate Good Samaritan are due by 5 p.m. local time on July 17, 2020. Applications for Northwestern Central DuPage, Edward, and Loyola University Medical Center are due at 3 p.m. local time on September 3, 2020.
Each program has their own application packet and required documents. All programs
require College of DuPage Anatomy 1500 or equivalent and Bio-Medical Terminology at
time of application. The Anatomy 1500 and Bio-Medical Terminology requirements may
be waived due to the COVID-19 Pandemic that caused course cancellations throughout
the country. Please refer to the individual application packets to see if the program
is waiving the requirements for this application period.
There will be an entrance exam for each program followed by interviews for qualified applicants. Each program is responsible for determining which applicants are selected for their 1 year training program. All training and education is completed at the hospital training site and each program has their own start and end dates, class dates and times, and approved providers for field training. Click on the program(s) above to view and download the application packet.
Paramedics receive more advanced training to perform more difficult pre-hospital medical procedures. Paramedics have advanced training in the administration of intravenous fluids, the use of manual defibrillators to give lifesaving shocks to a stopped heart, and the application of advanced airway techniques and equipment to assist patients experiencing respiratory emergencies. In addition, paramedics provide extensive pre-hospital care on the scene of an accident or other life-threatening situation. Paramedics also may administer drugs orally and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal intubations, and use monitors and other complex equipment.
Most fire departments prefer hiring candidates who have already met state certification requirements for firefighter, and licensing requirements for emergency medical technician and paramedic. Paramedics work for fire departments, ambulance services and hospital emergency units. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016 Occupational Outlook Handbook, job openings in these careers are expected to grow by as much as 15 percent between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than average. For more information on career outlook and salary information for paramedics, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
COD offers an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) A.A.S. degree.
Program Contact Information
Please visit the Program Contacts page for detailed information.