Make an Impact as a First Responder
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program at Maricopa Community Colleges provides the necessary education and training to embark on a high-impact career as either an emergency medical technician (EMT) or a highly trained paramedic.
The major difference between EMTs and paramedics is the amount of education required and the scope of practice.
Pathways to a Career in Emergency Care
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Often the first medical professionals on the scene, EMTs possess the foundational skills needed to help in a variety of emergencies and life-threatening situations. Their education forms the foundation for all other levels of emergency care providers including paramedics. Successful completion of Maricopa Community Colleges’ 16-week long entry-level emergency response training program qualifies you for state EMT-B certification as sanctioned by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Paramedicine
Paramedics are advanced-level providers of emergency care educated through a nationally-accredited program that is approximately 1,500 to 2,000 hours in length. Considered an extension of the hospital emergency department, paramedics receive a formal education in anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, cardiology, pulmonology, pharmacology, pediatrics, geriatrics, hematology, toxicology and many other topics in emergency medicine, and continue their professional development through prescribed continuing education.
Resources
Prior to applying to the program, review the step by step application and interview selection process information.
Below are very important documents that must be reviewed prior to completing the paramedic application. Review and should you have further questions, contact the district Healthcare Education department at paramedic@domail.maricopa.edu or 480-731-8264.
Paramedicine Selection Process
- Civilian—Nonsponsored Students (general public)
- Civilian—Employer-sponsored Students (EMS transport/hospital organizations)
- Sworn—Public Safety Personnel-sponsored Students (fire departments and law enforcement)
- Ste-by-step Application Instructions
Computer-based Entrance Exam
- Preparing for the Paramedicine Computer-based Entrance Exam
- Paramedicine Computer-based Entrance Exam
- Next Steps for Students Who Passed the Paramedicine Computer-Based Entrance Examination
- Next Steps for Students Who Failed the Paramedicine Computer-Based Entrance Examination
- Maricopa Community Colleges Paramedic Candidate Entrance Examination Item Assignments to Domains of the NREMT
- Maricopa Community Colleges Paramedic Candidate Entrance Examination Competencies
Interview Process
- Accreditation
- Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS)
- National Registry of EMTs
- Paramedic Program Outcomes
- Maricopa Community Colleges Paramedic Candidate Entrance Examination Item Assignments to Domains of the National Registry of EMTS
- Maricopa Community Colleges Paramedic Candidate Entrance Examination Competencies
Paramedicine Preceptors
Paramedicine Preceptors
At Maricopa County Community Colleges, we value and take pride in our healthcare partners. A preceptor is a crucial part of the hands-on experiences for Health Science programs and contributes to training the next generations of healthcare professionals.