School of Emergency Medical Technology

Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic -

MGHS School of EMT to offer a 16-month Paramedic Training Course
Course to be teleconferenced throughout U.P.



Beginning September 15, 2008, Marquette General Health System School of Emergency Medical Technology will offer an intensive, 16-month EMT-Paramedic training program. This program trains the individual at a higher level than Michigan and the National Standard Curriculum requires. Upon successfully completing this course, participants will be eligible to sit for the licensure exams. “At the School of Emergency Medical Technology, it is our vision to provide students high-quality EMS education that is accessible and affordable, particularly to the high-need rural communities of the Upper Peninsula,” said Dennis Karuzas, EMT-P I/C, Director of the School of Emergency Medical Technology. “We will teleconference our program from Marquette General to locations throughout the Upper Peninsula.”

The program (greater than 1250 hours) introduces students to the highest level of pre-hospital care. Students are trained to care for a variety of patients in many types of situations including motor vehicle accidents, chest pain to serious heart attacks, medical emergencies, multi-system traumas, disasters, respiratory difficulties, and pediatric emergencies to childbirth. The course will provide specialized training in areas such as emergency vehicle operations, responding to hazardous material situations, and scenes involving weapons of mass destruction. Participants will also learn advanced airway techniques such as endotracheal intubation and esophageal airway placement, intravenous therapy for the administration of medications and fluids, shock therapy, defibrillation, synchronized cardioversion, and external pacing. . The pharmacology portion will teach the administration routes, contraindications, indications, side effects and dosages of pre-hospital emergency drugs.

The program will also place special emphasis placed on becoming the team leader. This type of leadership requires the development of critical thinking through demonstration of scenarios and knowledge-based training.

Classes will be held Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 to 10 p.m. (EST), along with several Saturday sessions which will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday classes will consist of both six and eight-hour sessions. Classroom and homework will include lecture, hands-on practical, and computer-based quizzes and exams. Students are required to have access to a reliable computer and Internet throughout the course. Students will also be required to perform approximately 600 hours of clinical time in the pre-hospital and hospital setting.

The coursework will be divided into two sessions, with several breaks and will be completed in March of 2010. The tuition for the course is $5,000.00, which includes required books, uniform shirt, and equipment.   Full tuition for the course is due no later than, October 1, 2008. To assist students with their tuition costs, a financial aid package has been developed. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), National Registry and State License fees are not included in the tuition.

 “Upon successful completion of the course, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians will test the students in order to be eligible for Michigan licensure. The students will be tested on their didactic knowledge, as well as their practical skills. Once students complete these requirements, they will be issued a State of Michigan license. The National Registry certification is also valid in approximately 45 other states,” Karuzas added.

To print an application for the combined EMT-Paramedic training program, go to http://www.mgh.org/emt/recruitment.html for more information. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cheryl at (cjkoppinger@mgh.org) or Dennis at (djkaruzas@mgh.org) or call
(800) 562-9753, ext. 7590 or (906) 225-7590.

The deadline for applications is Friday, August 15, 2008.

Paramedic - Course Application