In Iowa, there is no state examination for paramedic certification. Therefore, once you graduate from a paramedic program and successfully pass the NREMT-P examinations, you will be eligible to apply for state certification, which will allow you to work in the state of Iowa.
Paramedic Training in Iowa
Below, please click on a school to get admissions information on their healthcare programs:
Des Moines Area Community College – Ankeny, IA
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
2006 S Ankeny Blvd
Bldg #24, Room 113B
Ankeny, IA 50023
Eastern Iowa Community College – Davenport, IA
306 West River Drive
Davenport, IA – 52801
Hawkeye Community College – Waterloo, IA
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
1501 East Orange Rd
Waterloo, IA 50704
Indian Hills Community College – Ottumwa, IA
655 Indian Hills Drive
Bldg. 21
Ottumwa, IA – 52501
Iowa Central Community College – Fort Dodge, IA
One Triton Circle
Fort Dodge, IA – 50501
Iowa Western Community College – Council Bluffs, IA
2700 College Rd
Council Bluffs, IA – 51503
Kirkwood Community College – Cedar Rapids, IA
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA – 52404
Mercy College of Health Sciences – Des Moines, IA
928 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA – 50309-1239
Northeast Iowa Community College – Peosta, IA
8342 NICC Drive
Peosta, IA – 52068
Southeastern Community College – West Burlington, IA
1500 West Agency Road
West Burlington, IA – 52655
Western Iowa Tech Community College – Sioux City, IA
EMS Learning Resources Center
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA – 52242
Western Iowa Tech Community College – Sioux City, IA
Box 5199
Sioux City, IA – 51102
Paramedic Program Requirements in Iowa
· In Iowa, like most states, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED to apply to a paramedic program.
· You will also need to hold a valid EMT certificate. Most states, like Iowa, recognize national certification, and will grant you state certification (likely with more paperwork to fill out) without any further testing.
For more on becoming nationally certified with the NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians), which is a non-governmental agency that registers and maintains a database of certified EMTs, visit nremt.org.
· You will need to have CPR certification. Depending on the program, an ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification is required, as well.
· Some programs may also require prospective students to pass a Paramedic Entrance Exam. You may also need to complete the COMPASS placement test, as well. This is a computer adaptive test, and it helps educators better evaluate students’ skill levels in Reading, Writing Skills, Writing Essay, Math, and English as a Second Language.
Sample questions from the COMPASS placement test can be found here.
· Any paramedic program you apply to will also require proof of immunizations (TB skin test, Hepatitis B vaccination, MMR vaccination and Chicken Pox titer or vaccination). This is required because you’ll be participating in clinical rotations as part of the course.
· You’ll likely need to go through a criminal background check and drug screening, too. Written references may or may not be required, so check with the college or paramedic program you’re interested in to learn what is explicitly required.
PARAMEDIC TRAINING PROGRAM DETAILS
Paramedic training courses can typically be found at community colleges. An EMT-P course often provides students with a mixture of classroom and in-hospital clinical experience, as well as some field experience.
You will want to make sure that whichever paramedic training program in Iowa you select is an accredited program.
Where can I find an accredited paramedic training program in Iowa?
In general, make sure you visit the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) to find an accredited paramedic training program. This is important, because as of January 1, 2013, all students will need to complete paramedic education at an accredited school in order to take the paramedic NREMT exam.
Do I need EMT experience to apply to a paramedic training program?
This varies from school to school, so check be sure to check around for a program that fits you best. Typically, experience is not required (though it is recommended) because proper experience can takes years to acquire.
At Southeastern Community College, for example, students are actually moved into an area ambulance service early in their second semester for the purposes helping them gain field experience.
How long will it take me to become a paramedic?
This really depends on the college and training program you select. Typically, a paramedic program can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete.
How much will a paramedic training program cost?
All paramedic courses are a bit different and vary college to college. But, typically, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000 for a quality and thorough paramedic training course. Some programs can most certainly exceed that cost, however.
TAKING THE PARAMEDIC NREMT EXAM
After you successfully complete the required paramedic training course, you will need to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. This is both a computer adaptive test (cognitive examination) as well as a skills test (psychomotor examination).
Cognitive Examination
The cognitive examination will cover the entire spectrum of EMS care. This includes Airway, Ventilation, Oxygenation, Trauma, Cardiology, Medical, and EMS Operations. The maximum amount of time you will be given to pass this portion of the exam is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Psychomotor Examination
The psychomotor examination consists of 12 separate skills laid out in a scenario-type format to approximate the abilities of the EMT-Paramedic to function in the out-of-hospital setting. Those taking the test are actually allowed to bring their own equipment to the exam provided it is approved for testing by the National Registry Representative in attendance at the examination.
The psychomotor exam portion of the paramedic NREMT exam will test your knowledge and competency in each of the following skills: Patient Assessment-Trauma, Ventilatory Management, Cardiac Management Skills, IV and Medication Skills, Oral Station, Pediatric Skills, and Random Basic Skills.
PRACTICING AS A PARAMEDIC
Once you take and graduate from a paramedic program in Iowa, and successfully pass the NREMT, you are able to apply for Iowa certification. State certification is required to practice in Iowa.
If you currently have your NREMT, but are certified or licensed to practice in another state, you’ll have to apply for reciprocity with the Iowa Department of Health before you enroll in a paramedic class.
How much money does a paramedic make annually?
An average paramedic salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011, is about $34,030 per year.
For those in need of paramedic training courses, please make sure you bookmark Paramedic Training Spot for the latest information.
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