Ridgewater/HCMC
Paramedic Training Program
PARAMEDIC PROGRAM INFORMATION
ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE
2014 - 2015
Thank you for your interest in the Ridgewater College/Hennepin County Medical Center Paramedic program.
Please read the following information carefully and let us know if you have any questions.
Overview
The Ridgewater College/Hennepin County Medical Center Paramedic program is committed to providing the
highest quality Emergency Medical Paramedic program with rigorous and comprehensive didactic instruction,
extensive hands-on educational/training labs, and broad clinical experiences. In addition to maintaining the
standards established by CAAHEP, our program outcomes include academic and professional standards
designed to meet the expectations of Health Care Organizations and ensure that graduates are prepared to
provide safe and effective patient care.
Paramedic classes are currently held Tuesday and Thursday from 6-10pm and approximately one Saturday a
month from 8-4:30pm. In addition, ambulance and hospital clinicals will require approximately 600 hours
scheduled at ambulance/healthcare facilities at multiple locations. Note, clinical assignments include both
hours and patient contacts, and the hours required to complete the patient contacts may impact the total
clinical hours.
The Ridgewater College/HCMC Paramedic program offers two program options that are designed for two
distinct populations of students.
1. The AAS degree is designed for traditional students.
2. The diploma is designed for individuals with extensive EMT experiences and who meet additional
admission requirements.
Ridgewater/HCMC Paramedic Program
Paramedic AAS Degree Admission Requirements
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Complete the paper Paramedic application – available to print on the Paramedic page of
www.ridgewater.edu
Graduate from an accredited high school or GED certification
$20 Application Fee
Current driver’s license
Accuplacer assessment scores as follows:
Admission Criteria Table: Required Assessment Test Scores or Course Equivalents
ACCUPLACER Score
Developmental Coursework
College-Level Coursework
Reading
78 or higher on Reading Comprehension
Test
OR
"C" or higher in English 99 or equivalent
OR
"C" or higher in a college-level reading
course
English
86 or higher on Sentence Skills Test AND
78 on Reading Comprehension Test
OR
"C" or higher in ENGL 94 AND
OR
"C" or higher in ENGL 121 or
equivalent
56 or higher on Elementary Algebra
Test
OR
OR
"C" or higher in college-level math
course
Math
ENGL 99
"C" or higher in MATH 97 or equivalent
Note: If you would like to take the ACCUPLACER test at Ridgewater College, please call Alicia Just in
Hutchinson or Jane Friedrich in Willmar at 1-800-722-1151 or contact any of the MNSCU two-year colleges. If
you have already taken the ACCUPLACER elsewhere – please let us know.
If you have taken courses at another MNSCU college/university – please list them on your application and we
can get your official transcripts. You do not need to request them. If you have college transcripts from a
private or out of state college/ university – you will need to request that official copies be sent directly to the
Admissions Office – Attention: Stacey Kohn
If you have any questions regarding admission please contact Sally Kerfeld, Director of Admissions
at 1-800-722-1151 or sally.kerfeld@ridgewater.edu
ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS – application, high school transcript/GED, application fee and any other required
documentation must be mailed or FAXED to:
Stacey Kohn
Ridgewater College
2 Century Avenue SE
Hutchinson, MN 55350
Fax 320-234-8506
After Application/Acceptance
In addition to the admissions requirements, completion of background study and immunizations are
mandatory. Accepted students who do not fulfill these requirements will lose their space in the program.
 MN Human Services Background Study is required prior to all clinical experiences. Minnesota Human
Services requires any individual having contact with patients to complete a background study prior to
starting clinical experiences. An individual may be disqualified from having patient contact and would
not be permitted to participate in the clinical experience.
o Note, the background study is completed by the college when student enroll. Individuals with
concerns or questions should discuss with the Paramedic Advisor.
 Completion of the Health Information Packet which includes documentation of current immunizations
for rubella, chicken pox and mumps (Hepatitis B and a Mantoux test is also required), and a physical
examination.
o The Physical Examination and Health Information Packet should be completed prior to the
Paramedic Orientation session. . Individuals with concerns or questions should discuss with the
Paramedic Advisor.
Paramedic AAS Degree Program Course Planner
Fall Semester 1
Emergency Medical Technician 1
Emergency Medical Technician 2
General Education Courses
Subtotal Credits
Cr
4
3
6
13
Spring Semester 1
BLS Internship
Cr
2
General Education Courses
Subtotal Credits
10
12
Summer Term
Cr
Fall Semester 2
Introduction to Emergency Care
1 Pharmacology for the Paramedic
Anatomy & Phys for the Paramedic
2 ACLS Provider
Ambulance Operations I
1 Cardiology
Airway and Patient Assessment
2 Medical Emergencies
Field Clinical
2 Clinical I
Pulmonology
1 Field Clinical II
Subtotal Credits
9 Subtotal Credits
Total Credits Required: 64 (Pending MnSCU approval)
Cr
2
1
4
4
2
2
15
Spring Semester 2
Ambulance Operations II
Shock and Trauma
Special Populations
Clinical II
Field Internship
PALS Provider
Subtotal Credits
Cr
2
3
3
3
3
1
15
Prior to beginning courses, all previous
transcripts should be evaluated for transfer
credits.
All students must complete the EMT training before taking the BLS internship. Both EMT certification and
successful completion of the BLS internship are required prior to taking any Paramedic courses.
Ridgewater College/Hennepin County Medical Center
Acute Care Paramedic AAS Degree
2014-2015 Educational Plan (64 credits)
Paramedic Courses (48 Credits Required)
General Education (16 Credits Required)
EMS 1116
EMS 1118
EMSP 1096
EMSP 1502
EMSP 1504
EMSP 1506
EMSP 1510
EMSP 1530
EMSP 1540
EMSP 1552
EMSP 1554
EMSP 1560
EMSP 1570
EMSP 1580
EMSP 1582
EMSP 1590
EMSP 1592
EMSP 1596
EMSP 1512
EMSP 1600
EMSP 1602
Choose at least one course from the following list:
ENGL 121 College Composition I............................... 3
CMST 121 Intro to Communications ........................... 3
CMST 226 Interpersonal Communications .................. 3
Emergency Medical Technician 1 ............ 4
Emergency Medical Technician 2 ............ 3
BLS Internship ......................................... 2
Introduction to Emergency Care .............. 1
Anatomy & Phys for the Paramedic ......... 2
Pharmacology for the Paramedic ............. 2
Ambulance Operations I .......................... 1
Airway and Patient Assessment .............. 2
Shock and Trauma ................................... 3
Pulmonology ............................................ 1
Cardiology ................................................ 4
Medical Emergencies ............................... 4
Special Populations .................................. 3
Clinical I ................................................... 2
Clinical II ................................................. 3
Field Clinical ............................................ 2
Field Clinical II ........................................ 2
Field Internship ........................................ 3
Ambulance Operations II ......................... 2
ACLS Provider ......................................... 1
PALS Provider ......................................... 1
Choose at least one course from the following list;
BIOL 108 Human Biology ......................................... 4
BIOL 210 Human Anatomy ....................................... 4
BIOL 211* Human Physiology .................................... 4
Choose at least one course from the following list:
PSYC 131 Introduction to Psychology........................ 4
SOC 105
Introduction to Sociology .......................... 3
SOC 106
General Social Problems ........................... 3
SOC 242
Racial and Cultural Minorities .................. 3
PSYC 263** Developmental Psychology ....................... 3
General Education Electives:
A minimum of 16 credits of general education courses
are required for this degree. General education elective
courses may be selected from any MNTC goal area.
Elective courses should be selected with
recommendation from advisor.
Notes:
*BIOL 210 and CHEM 101 or higher are prerequisites for BIOL 211
**PSYC 131 is a prerequisite for PSYC 263
(Note, Pending MnSCU Approval)
Ridgewater/HCMC Paramedic Program Application
Name (Last, First, Middle)
Date of Application
Name used in high school records or in other educational records and transcripts, if different from above
(optional) (Last, First, Middle) _________________________________________________________________
ADMISSIONS INFORMATION
Are you applying for *Paramedic Diploma Option (for current EMT only) _____or Paramedic AAS Option? _____
*If applying for the Diploma option - submission of additional information is required for approval
Which site? Hennepin County Medical Center _____
Ridgewater - Hutchinson/Willmar ______
Social Security Number ______________________________________________________________________
Current Mailing Address
(Street, Rural Route, House/Apartment Number, P.O. Box)
(City, State, ZIP, County)
Permanent Mailing Address
(Street, Rural Route, House/Apartment Number, P.O. Box)
Home Phone ______________________
(City, State, ZIP, County)
Cell Phone ________________________
E-mail Address ________________________________________
Are you a resident of Minnesota? ___Yes ___No If yes, how long? ____Years ____Months
If no, of which state are you a resident? _______________ How long? ____Years ____Months
Are you a U.S. citizen? ____Yes ____No If no, do you have status as:
____Resident alien ____Refugee/asylee ____Temporary protected status ____None of these
If you answered none of these, do you have or intend to apply for a visa? ____Yes ____No
(If you answered yes, you must contact the Admissions Office at Ridgewater College to determine whether a separate application is required.)
What is the highest level of education for your parent(s)/guardian(s)? Please respond for the parent(s), stepparent(s),
adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s) who raised you. Check only one box for each parent/guardian.
Parent/Guardian #1
____ No high school diploma
____High school diploma
____Some college
____2-year college degree/diploma
____Bachelor’s degree or higher
____Not sure/don’t know
Parent/Guardian #2
____ No high school diploma
____2-year college degree/diploma
____High school diploma
____Bachelor’s degree or higher
____Some college
____Not sure/don’t know
ADMISSIONS INFORMATION
What term do you intend to begin taking Paramedic courses? Summer Semester of _______
Have you attended this college/university before? ____Yes ____No
If yes, last date attended? ______________________
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION
Do you have a high school diploma? ____Yes ____No
High school graduation date ________________ If no, do you have a GED? ____Yes ____
Are you currently in high school? ____Yes ____No
High school attended ________________________________________________________________________________
(City, State, Dates of Attendance, Degrees Earned)
List ALL other post-secondary institutions attended. Official transcripts from each institution attended must be sent
directly to the Admissions Office of Ridgewater College. (We can electronically obtain MnSCU college transcripts)
1.___________________________________
2.___________________________________
3.___________________________________
Are you a high school student planning to take college courses under the Minnesota Post-Secondary Enrollment Options
program (PSEO)? ____Yes ____No
If yes, please contact your high school counselor and also the Admissions Office of Ridgewater College.
DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: The following information will help Ridgewater College evaluate student recruitment
and retention policies; it will not be used as a basis for admission. Providing this information is voluntary.
Gender: ____Male ____Female
Are you Hispanic or Latino (a person of Cuban, Mexican, Chicano, Puerto Rican, South or Central American or other Spanish culture,
regardless of race)? ____Yes ____No
Race and ethnic background (select any that apply):
____American Indian or Alaska native (A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North, Central or South American & who
maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment)
____Asian (A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian subcontinent)
____Black or African American (A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa)
____Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other
Pacific Islands)
____White (A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa)
Notice to Students Regarding Possible Impact of Criminal Records: If you have been arrested, charged or convicted of any criminal offense, you
should investigate the impact that the arrest, charge or conviction may have on your chances of employment in the field you intend to study or on
your chances to obtain federal, state, and other higher education financial aid.
SIGNATURE REQUIRED BY ALL APPLICANTS
All of the information included is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand if I am pursuing the
DIPLOMA option as an experienced EMT, approval from the Ridgewater/HCMC Paramedic Operations Council is
required.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Applicant’s Signature
Date
Application and all supporting documents must be mailed to:
Ridgewater College
Attn: Stacey Kohn - Admissions
2 Century Avenue SW
Hutchinson MN 55350