UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY
PARAMEDIC SCHOOL STANDARDS
I.
STUDENT STANDARDS
A. Grooming
1. Uniform is appropriate for classroom lecture. Shirt and shoes must be worn at all
times.
2. If specific dress is required for a laboratory class, the student will be told in advance.
3. Immaculate grooming and daily personal hygiene are essential because of close
proximity to patients and others.
4. In all clinical and rescue settings, proper attire will be worn, to include scrubs for
clinical rotations and program approved shirt for the rescue settings. Levis are not
acceptable during either clinical or rescue rotations. Program badges are to be worn
at all times during clinical and rescue rotations. Hats are not permitted.
5. If a difference exists between paramedic program grooming standards and policies for
clinical areas, paramedic students will conform to the clinical policies. Remember,
you represent the Utah Valley University Paramedic Training Program. Act and
dress accordingly!
B. Personal/Ethical Conduct
As a member of the medical community, with the privilege of caring for the sick, you are
obligated to adhere to certain basic principles of conduct which have governed medicine
for thousands of years.
These principles act as a guide to ensure every patient is treated with respect, dignity,
and confidentiality. Although the job of caring for the patient on the freeway or in the
local pub takes place under conditions very different from those in which other health
care providers function, the principles must still be applied. Anyone who calls for help –
regardless of the time or the injury – is entitled to dignity, patience, and confidentiality
regarding his/her problem. Unethical behavior is a serious offense, and may be grounds
for dismissal from the program.
1. Paramedic students must offer patients every benefit and appropriateness of their
knowledge and skills. To do otherwise is to practice “selectivity” in patient care and
is unacceptable.
2. It is expected that students will not seek out or accept unauthorized help during
testing or evaluations. Lack of integrity is not acceptable and may be grounds for
dismissal from the program.
3. Behavior should be of a professional nature at all times during the program.
4. ANY STUDENT WHO IS FOUND TO BE CHEATING ON ANY PORTION
OF WRITTEN OR PRACTICAL TESTING WILL BE DISMISSED FROM
THE PROGRAM WITHOUT PROBATION. ANY STUDENT WHO IS
FOUND TO BE FALSIFYING STUDENT CLINICAL EVALUATIONS,
PATIENTS SEEN IN CLINICAL ROTATIONS, SKILLS PERFORMED IN
CLINICAL ROTATIONS, OR CLINICAL HOURS WILL BE DISMISSED
FROM THE PROGRAM WITHOUT PROBATION.
C. Testing and Evaluation
1. Examination score standards
a. The minimum passing score for all pharmacology and life threatening arrhythmia
exams is 85%.
b. The minimum passing score for all other course exams is 80%.
c. The passing score for all re-exams will be 5% above the mentioned minimum
scores.
2.
Re-exam standards
a. Students who receive a score of less than 80% on any weekly exam will be
given one opportunity to retest the exam.
b. All make-up exams will be given on Friday of the week the exam is failed.
c. Any student failing to appear at the scheduled retest will receive an automatic
failure for the exam.
d. A second failure of any weekly exam will mean automatic probation and may
be grounds for dismissal from the program.
e. Failure of three exams/re-exams will mean automatic probation and may be
grounds for dismissal from the program.
3.
Practical skills, mega and trauma codes
a. Students must pass all skill evaluations, mega codes, trauma codes and
pediatric codes prior to progressing into the clinical area.
b. Any student failing to successfully complete the initial skill evaluation, mega
code or trauma code will be given one opportunity to retake.
c. Failure to successfully complete the re-evaluation of the skill, mega code or
trauma code may be grounds for dismissal from the program.
4.
D.
Final Exam
a. In order to take the mid-term or final exams, or progress to clinical training or
be recommended for state certification, all course standards must be met.
b. Following successful completion of all course performance and testing
standards, the student will be recommended to the Utah Department of Health
for certification and will be eligible to take the state certifying examinations.
Clinical
1. Individual clinical time may be extended by the staff, due to lack of emergency calls
beyond the student’s control. This extension will last until such time as the student
receives sufficient calls to be evaluated.
2. Students who demonstrate argumentative or inappropriate behavior while in the
clinical setting (rescue, hospital, etc.) will be issued a written warning and placed on
probation. A second occurrence of such behavior may be grounds for dismissal from
the program.
E. Attendance and Absenteeism
1. Classroom Students are expected to meet all class and clinical requirements. Since the
acquisition of knowledge and skills in paramedic training is cumulative, both in the
theory and clinical areas, classroom attendance and participation are required.
Unexcused absences from theory and clinical will be cause for review by the faculty
with possible dismissal from the program. The student with an extended medical
problem will be reviewed by the staff, and recommendations for retention or
dismissal will be made by the staff.
2. Clinical –
Paramedic students must attend each clinical experience. In case of unavoidable
absence on the assigned day, the staff must be notified at least one hour prior to
student’s scheduled time. Calling the clinical area is not sufficient notice. Two or
more unexcused absences from either classroom or clinical will be grounds for
dismissal from the program. Failure to remain for the entire classroom or clinical
constitutes an unexcused absence.
3. Tardiness Unexcused tardiness in either theory or clinical is unacceptable. Tardiness
necessitates counsel with staff. Continued tardiness may be grounds for dismissal
from the program.
II.
PROBATION/DISMISSAL
A. In order to successfully complete the paramedic program, students must meet the criteria
outline. A student who falls below any of the criteria will discuss the situation in a
personal interview with staff. Suggestions for meeting the criteria will be made and any
special help which seems appropriate will be arranged.
B. If a student is unable to meet the criteria or has repeated problems in certain areas or with
make-up, or is falling behind due to inability to meet criteria, the student will be given a
formal letter of warning and placed on probation. Dates will be set for the criteria to be
completed.
C. A student unable to meet any course evaluation or testing criteria will not be able to
progress in the program or be recommended for certification by the state. The student
will meet with program staff, and a letter which outlines the areas of deficiency and the
staff recommendation will be given to the student. Guidance will be provided as to
withdrawal from the program. A plan to correct the problem(s) will be provided.
D. A student who, at any time during the course, is deemed to be unprofessional or outside
the paramedic school standards, may be placed on probation or dismissed from the
program.
III.
STATE CERTIFICATION
A. Utah Valley University Paramedic Program will provide the Utah Department of Health
with evidence of successful completion of the Paramedic Program. Successful
completion includes achieving all course criteria both in didactic and clinical areas.
B. The student must comply with Utah State requirements for certification.
IV.
STUDENT RECORDS
A cumulative record is kept on each student. This record contains scores, evaluation and
other pertinent information.
Records of individual student conferences will be read and signed by the student and staff
member prior to becoming a part of the student’s cumulative record.
Following each clinical rotation, the student and clinical instructor/preceptor will review and
sign the appropriate evaluation forms. These forms then become a part of the permanent
record.
Individuals seeking access to the cumulative file are referred to the General Education
Provision Act, Section 438, Privacy Rights of Parents and Students. Further information can
be obtained from program staff.
The learning experience in which you are about to participate is a most exciting and rewarding
one. We want you to succeed. We are here as a resource to help you be successful. Remember,
destiny and success is the result of choice, not chance. May you meet the challenge with the
right choices, hard work, study, and success.
Good Luck!
Steven Allred
Program Director/Coordinator
I, the undersigned student agree to the terms and conditions as outlined above.
_______________________________
Student
______________ _____________________________
Date
Witness