Clinton County EMS has been approved by the Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professional (CoAEMSP) to train nationally certified paramedics.
Clinton County EMS Director Steven Deckard says it’s an important first step in reversing a nationwide shortage of paramedics. “Low wages, a lack of work-life balance, and burnout are driving emergency medical services personnel around the country to quit. Recent studies suggest we’ll need 40,000 more full-time emergency medical personnel nationwide by 2030.”
Clinton County’s paramedic program will work under a Letter of Review until it graduates its first class, at which time it can file for full accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
“The program takes an emergency medical technician (EMT) to a paramedic,” Deckard explains. “Paramedics hold all the responsibilities of an EMT but have the additional responsibility of leading the team in the field, giving oral and IV medication, providing advanced airway management, reading EKGs, providing advanced cardiac life support, and deciding where to take a patient for the best care.”
The first paramedic co-hort is scheduled to begin January 2024 and will meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for 15 months. Participants will undergo 1,200 hours of classroom learning and supervised field experience at IU Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette, IU Health Frankfort Hospital, and Clinton County’s EMS. To become a paramedic, one must have a high school diploma or GED, CPR and EMT certification.
“As far as we know we are the second county-based program nationally accredited in the State of Indiana,” Deckard adds. “Having our own program not only allows us to set our own standards, train our own people, and recruit new paramedics to Clinton County, but ensures our healthcare services are delivered by a highly qualified workforce.”
“This program is a testament to the dedication of Steven and his entire team and underscores their commitment to the community they serve,” says Jordan Brewer, president of the Clinton County Commissioners. “They are dedicated to delivering exceptional healthcare services and fostering a well-prepared workforce within the emergency medical services field.”
For further information about Clinton County EMS and to apply for its accreditation program, please contact: Steven Deckard at (765) 659-6310 or [email protected].
Tammy Sander contributed to this story.