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Course Description

The Paramedic course is designed to develop the advanced knowledge and clinical skills necessary to provide high-level emergency care to ill and injured patients. Students are trained as future clinicians, learning cutting-edge interventions and medical practices at the forefront of modern paramedicine.

Upon completion, paramedic candidates will be prepared to:

  • Deliver the highest level of prehospital emergency care
  • Perform advanced, life-saving procedures
  • Successfully challenge the North Carolina State and/or National Registry Paramedic Exam

Graduates who obtain credentialing will begin their careers as entry-level paramedics, with opportunities in:

  • EMS agencies
  • Hospitals and healthcare systems
  • Specialized medical transport services across the state and nation

Program Structure

This is an 11-month blended/hybrid program that combines flexible learning with hands-on experience. The instructional model includes:

  • Classroom lectures
  • Instructor demonstrations
  • Near real-life skills evaluations
  • Hospital clinical rotations
  • Field internships with EMS agencies

Students are also required to complete monthly minimum clinical rotations, which may take place outside of scheduled class times.

Core Training Areas

The program emphasizes advanced patient care and critical thinking in high-acuity situations. Key training areas include:

  • Compassionate, patient-centered care
  • Advanced patient assessment
  • Peripheral IV access and vascular devices
  • Advanced airway management
  • Cardiac monitoring and interventions, including:
    • Defibrillation
    • Cardioversion
    • Cardiac pacing
  • Administration of prehospital Advanced Life Support (ALS) medications

Physical Readiness - ETEMS

The course also integrates Endurance Training for EMS (ETEMS), a structured physical training component designed to prepare students for the physical and mental demands of the paramedic profession.

  • Physical training sessions (PT) are conducted at the end of each class day
  • Focus on strength, endurance, and resilience under stress

Curriculum Standards and Approval

This program is approved by the North Carolina Office of EMS (NCOEMS) and adheres to:

  • The National EMS Educational Standards
  • The 2021 (or most current) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Paramedic National Standard Curriculum

This course represents the highest level of EMS education, preparing students to become highly skilled, decision-making clinicians capable of managing complex and critical emergencies in the prehospital setting.

The Paramedic program offers two Career Pathway options: Degree or Credential

Emergency Medical Science Degree
AAS Bridge Program
Paramedic Credential
Non-Degree
  1. Have an active EMT credential
  2. Have a High School Diploma or Equivalency
  3. Complete:
    1. BIO 168 Anatomy & Physiology I and
    2. BIO 169 Anatomy & Physiology II
  4. Complete
    1. EMS 4400 Paramedic Initial
  5. Successfully Pass the NC State Paramedic Exam or National Registry Paramedic Exam
  6. *Complete the following courses:
    1. ACA 111 College Student Success
    2. ENG 111 Expository Writing
    3. ENG 112 Writing/Res in Discipline
    4. PSY 150 General Psychology
    5. HUM 115 Critical Thinking
  7. Complete
    1. EMT 280 EMS Bridging Course
  1. Have an active EMT credential
  2. Have a High School Diploma or Equivalency
  3. Complete one of three A&P Options:
    1. EMS 2163 Basic Anatomy & Physiology (CE Course)
    2. BIO 163 Basic Anatomy & Physiology
    3. BIO 168 Anatomy & Physiology I and
      BIO 169 Anatomy & Physiology II
    4. BIO 2168 & BIO 2169
    5. Complete
      1. EMS 4400 Paramedic Initial
    6. Successfully Pass the NC State Paramedic Exam or National Registry Paramedic Exam
Emergency Medical Science, AAS Degree Conferred Paramedic Credential Conferred

Prerequisites:

Both pathway options have the following prerequisites that must be successfully completed prior to the first day of Paramedic class:

  • High School Diploma or Equivalency
  • Active EMT Credential (SCC EMT Program)
    • (NC or National Registry or other state)
  • Completed Physical and Immunization Forms (Physical must be the provided SCC Program Form)
  • Completion of an Anatomy and Physiology course
    • EMS 2163, or
    • BIO 163, or
    • BIO 168 and BIO 169 or
    • BIO 2168 and BIO 2169

The following prerequisites will be administered at the Public Safety Complex on two different dates prior to Paramedic Course orientation.

  • Written Assessment of Candidate Education level
    • Candidate must score at a college level English and Math
  • Paramedic Candidate Entrance Exam
    • The entrance exam will consist of factual, scenario, and critical thinking questions to assess your knowledge of EMT, Anatomy & Physiology – knowledge candidates should know by pre-requisites and are expected of an entry-level Paramedic student.

Upcoming Classes

EMS 

4400-01

Paramedic

8/18/2027

6/13/2028

PSC

Tues/Thurs

9 am - 4:30 pm

All scheduled EMS courses and dates are subject to change or cancellation.

Find all available EMS courses and Apply as a Candidate at: www.surry.edu/ems-courses

Updates

Please visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/surryems for updates and more information about our Emergency Medical Programs.

If no events are listed, you may email one of the contacts below for additional information.

Locations

Public Safety Complex
1220 State Street
Mount Airy, NC

Yadkin Campus
1001 College Drive
Yadkinville, NC

This course is approved by and will follow the guidelines established by the NC Office EMS. The curriculum for the Paramedic educational program shall be the National EMS Educational Standards in conjunction with the 2021 or most current release of the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Paramedic Course: National Standard Curriculum.

Accreditation

The Surry Community College Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
To contact CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
FAX 214-703-8992
www.coaemsp.org

Surry Community College Paramedic Program Outcomes

Year Retention NC State Exam Pass Rate
(within three attempts)
First-Time Pass Rate
(State & National Registry)
Job Placement
2022 79% 83% 60% (9 of 15) 100%
2023 88% 100% 86% (6 of 7) 100%
2024 73% 100% 100% (8 of 8) 100%
2025 74% 93% 93% (13 of 14) 100%
2026 In Progress

Advanced Education Pathway

Actively credentialed Paramedics may further their healthcare provider education with

Medical symbol caduceus snake with stick icon isolated with long shadow.

AAS Emergency Medical Science Degree

Alternative Healthcare Provider Courses

SCC EMR Program
SCC EMT Program
SCC Advanced EMT Program

Program Contacts:

Christy Ridgill

Director of Emergency Medical Program

(336) 386-3633

ridgillcj@surry.edu

Scarlett Camacho

Coordinator/Instructor - Emergency Medical Services

(336) 386-3389

voglersl@surry.edu

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

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Christy Ridgill

Director of Emergency Medical Program

(336) 386-3633

ridgillcj@surry.edu

Scarlett Vogler

Coordinator/Instructor - Emergency Medical Services

(336) 386-3389

voglersl@surry.edu

Thank you for your interest in this course. Unfortunately, the course you have selected is currently not open for enrollment. Please complete a Course Inquiry so that we may promptly notify you when enrollment opens.
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