JCC-UPMC Paramedic Agreement

1. Apply to JCC. For your program of interest, select Individual Studies A.A.S.
2. When you meet with an advisor to register for classes, let them know that you are interested in the JCC-UPMC paramedic agreement. Your advisor will help you schedule courses to meet JCC degree requirements. Review full agreement details and course recommendations »
3. Earn 30 credits at JCC and 30 credits through UPMC training to complete your degree.

Your UPMC training is completed in 15 consecutive months. Your additional JCC credits can be earned before or after the UPMC training. The only prerequisite for the paramedic training is to complete the EMT training and certification at JCC before starting at UPMC.

• If you already have paramedic certification, you can also earn your associate’s degree at JCC.
• If you already have your EMT certification, you can earn both your JCC associate’s degree and paramedic certification.

UPMC training can be completed:

• Chautauqua County: ALSTAR EMS training center, Jamestown
• Cattaraugus County: Southern Tier Health Care Systems training center, Olean
• Allegany County: Allegany Sheriff’s Office training center, Belmont

A paramedic is the highest level provider of medical care in the emergency response field. Paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are the frontline care providers for injured and ill persons in emergency situations. Their goal is to stabilize a patient, and then transport the patient to a medical facility for further care.

Paramedics and EMTs learn a large variety of procedures including how to clear airways, administer CPR/AED, treat wounds and burns, intervene in overdoses, and assist with childbirth. Because emergency medical problems often are life and death, paramedics and EMTs learn to assess and respond quickly. The work is fast-paced and sometimes stressful but those challenges make these careers exciting and rewarding.

In Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties, paramedics make a median annual salary of $46,500. Emergency medical technicians make a median annual salary of $29,300.

Brian Wilcox, UPMC Regional Paramedic Program director: I have been the program director for the UPMC Chautauqua Regional Paramedic Program since 2019. I have been in Emergency Medical Services for over 20 years. This agreement is a great opportunity for students to advance in this career field while earning an associate’s degree without having to travel far.

Robert Smith, certified EMT and JCC EMT instructor: I have been assisting teaching JCC’s EMT course since 2016 and have since transitioned to the lead instructor. I enjoy giving our students the tools they need to, quite literally, go out the door and save lives. There is a tremendous amount of responsibility in becoming an EMT and I’m honored to be part of that foundation.

Kathleen Whitmore, JCC instructor: I have been teaching for 30 years, and I have been teaching Personal Health and Safety for over 25 years. I am very passionate about helping others learn lifesaving skills to help themselves and others. Personal Health and Safety is a great way to be introduced to these skills whether or not you pursue the medical field.

The UPMC Chautauqua Paramedic program has been issued a Letter of Review by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). This letter is NOT a CAAHEP accreditation status, it is a status signifying that a program seeking initial accreditation has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the accreditation standards through the Letter of Review Self Study Report (LSSR) and other documentation. Letter of Review is recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for eligibility to take the National Registry's Paramedic credentialing examination(s). However, it is NOT a guarantee of eventual accreditation. To contact CoAEMSP: 214.703.8445 or coaemsp.org.

CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic educational programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Paramedic educational programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
 
The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2022.

No graduates during the 2023 reporting year.