Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (Certificate)

Heartland Community College's Paramedic program leads to a certificate that prepares students to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or the Illinois State EMT-Paramedic examination for licensure. This certificate is a 37-credit hour, three-semester program, inclusive of general education course(s), EMT courses, and clinical and field experiences.

Enrollment Requirements

To register for the EMT-245 Paramedic I, the first course in the program sequence, students must fulfill the following requirements:

• Age 17 or older*
• High school diploma or equivalent**
• Show proof of an active Illinois EMT-Basic or EMT-Intermediate license or be currently enrolled in EMT 101 with plans to achieve licensure before classes begin
• Completion of BIOL 121 with a "C" or higher OR concurrent enrollment
• OR completion of BIOL 181 & BIOL 182 with a "C" or higher or be currently enrolled
• OR completion of BIOL 181 with a "C" or higher AND concurrent enrollment in BIOL 182
• Have current CPR Certification at the Healthcare Provider Level (American Heart Association) or Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (American Red Cross) CPR courses are offered at Heartland Community College through our Continuing Education department and at area hospitals.

*Per Illinois law, students who complete the program prior to turning 18 years of age will be eligible to test but will not be eligible for licensure until their 18th birthday.

**Students must possess a high school diploma or equivalent at the time of licensure application.

Enrollment Considerations

EMT-Paramedic Curriculum

View the EMT Paramedic Curriculum

EMT-Paramedic Courses

The EMT-Paramedic certificate program consists of general education course(s) and three EMT-Paramedic courses (EMT 245, EMT 246 & EMT 247). EMT 245, the first course in the sequence, begins each fall semester. Students must pass each course with a "C "or higher to enroll in the next course in the sequence. Students must have taken all courses consecutively, within a continuous three-semester sequence, and have earned a final average of a "B" or higher to be considered passing and eligible for licensure.

The EMT-Paramedic curriculum consists of classroom lecture, lab, and clinical & field experience. Clinical experiences occur in the hospital setting (e.g. Emergency Department, Cardiac Cath Lab, Intensive Care Unit, Operating Room) and field experiences occur on an ALS ambulance.

Time Commitment

EMT-Paramedic courses meet for a total of 10 hours per week over two days, typically 9:00-2:00pm.  Meeting time includes lecture and lab content. In addition, students will complete an average of 200 hours of clinical time outside of each class, with the time split between hospital clinical areas and an ambulance.

Review the Essential Functions of the Job

Students enrolled in the EMT program must be able to perform the essential functions (PDF) of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. Any applicants or enrolled students are encouraged to contact Student Access and Accommodation Services to discuss any concerns associated with the program.

Program Cost

The cost sheet (PDF)  is a reference to provide information related to potential expenses incurred by the prospective HCC EMT paramedic student. The totals may vary depending on previous completion of general education courses and immunizations.

Clinical Requirements

Criminal Background Check

Criminal background checks are required to participate in the clinical experience portion of the course. Students will be required to complete an Authorization to Conduct Background Check form during the first week of class. Students with questions regarding background checks or questions on eligibility for EMT licensure may contact the McLean County Area EMS Office at 309-827-4348. A list of potentially disqualifying convictions and information on a waiver process can be found here.

Students with results triggering disqualification will be referred to the waiver process. Students will not be allowed into the clinical environment until their waiver has been approved.

Health Requirements & Immunizations

Proof of the following current immunizations are required prior to being allowed into the clinical environment:

• TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) within the last 10 years
• MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• TB skin test or negative chest x-ray (within the last 12 months)
• Hepatitis B series
• Influenza (current year)
• All students must provide a COVID vaccination card documenting completion of the vaccine within two weeks of the first day of clinical.  No exemptions are allowed per Illinois Department of Public Health regulations.

Insurance

All enrolled students are required to submit proof of current health insurance coverage or sign a statement acknowledging personal responsibility for medical bills that may arise from participation in the course or its clinical component.