Training Opportunities

The paramedic program is a 1-year program, beginning each August and completing the following July. The paramedic class meets on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays of each week from 8-4:30.

Pre-requisites required:
High School Diploma or GED | Minimum Age 18 | Minimum ACT Score 16 | EMT Certification

Length of Program:
1 Year - Technical Certification

Summary of Program Requirements:
High School Diploma or GED | Minimum Age 18 | Minimum ACT Score 16 | EMT Certification

Skills Needed
Problem Solving | Mathematics | Communicator | Flexibility | Critical Thinking | Attention to Detail

Nationally-registered Emergency Medical Technicians may be eligible to participate in the Paramedic program at Ridgeland or Grenada. A new paramedic program begins annually on each campus and meets three nights per week for three semesters. Successful completion of the course leads to a certificate or an AAS degree. Paramedics provide direct patient care covering a broad range of injuries and illness. Although most paramedics work on ambulances, other career options, such as an off-shore paramedic, combat or swat medic, safety officer, or flight paramedic exist. Experienced paramedics may be eligible to enter the Critical Care Paramedic program, a program designed and first implemented by the EMS staff at Holmes. The required courses are offered in a two-semester format on the Ridgeland Campus. Successful completion of the coursework leads to an AAS degree. Critical Care Paramedics are prepared for a career in critical care transport.

Pre-requisites required:
Must meet HCC admissions requirements, Must have current national registration as an EMT-Basic, Must be a Mississippi-certified EMT in good standing prior to clinical. Must successfully pass a re-test of basic EMT skill and knowledge. Must provide past academic records for review by an admissions committee (may or may not be faculty members.) Must have completed 4 of the required 8 semester hours of Anatomy and Physiology with lab from an accredited post-secondary school (A & P I-BIO 2514 or BIO 2513 & BIO 2511 or equivalent) prior to enrollment with a grade of C or better; A & P II is in the curriculum for any students who have completed only A & P I prior to enrollment; A & P I & II must each be completed with a grade of C or better. Must successfully pass a Criminal Background Check as required by Mississippi State Law. (Students will be responsible for the fee for the background check which will be paid to the agency conducting the check. HCC will not handle the fee for the background check.)

Length of Program:
3 semesters

Summary of Program Requirements:
Must meet HCC admissions requirements, Must have current national registration as an EMT-Basic, Must be a Mississippi-certified EMT in good standing prior to clinical. Must successfully pass a re-test of basic EMT skill and knowledge. Must provide past academic records for review by an admissions committee (may or may not be faculty members.) Must have completed 4 of the required 8 semester hours of Anatomy and Physiology with lab from an accredited post-secondary school (A & P I-BIO 2514 or BIO 2513 & BIO 2511 or equivalent) prior to enrollment with a grade of C or better; A & P II is in the curriculum for any students who have completed only A & P I prior to enrollment; A & P I & II must each be completed with a grade of C or better. Must successfully pass a Criminal Background Check as required by Mississippi State Law. (Students will be responsible for the fee for the background check which will be paid to the agency conducting the check. HCC will not handle the fee for the background check.)

Skills Needed
Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation Judgment and Decision Making, Active Learning, Coordination, Persuasion, Science, Operation Monitoring

The Paramedic education program is three semesters beyond the EMT-Basic course. The program draws its students from individuals already possessing a valid EMT state certification and having completed Anatomy & Physiology I with a grade of C or better. Students must complete Anatomy and Physiology II with a grade of C or better to be eligible to continue past the first semester of the paramedic core curriculum. Each student must be 18 years or older and possess a high school diploma or GED certificate.  Paramedic classes are admitted each spring on a competitive entrance basis and may include an interview by the instructor and/or committee.

Pre-requisites required:
High School Diploma or GED | Minimum Age 18 | Minimum ACT Score 16 | EMT Certification

Length of Program:
3 Semesters - Technical Certification

Summary of Program Requirements:
High School Diploma or GED | Minimum Age 18 | Minimum ACT Score 16 | EMT Certification

Skills Needed
Problem Solving | Mathematics | Communicator | Flexibility | Critical Thinking | Attention to Detail