Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 20 : Spring 2014 | Page 70

Northern Maine Community College Offers
New England’s Only Community Paramedicine Program
Access to healthcare is becoming increasingly challenging for many individuals in rural
America. The Community Paramedicine program at Northern Maine Community College is
designed to educate licensed paramedics who are
primarily employed in the pre-hospital emergency environment to become competent community paramedics. The program is the first college
based program in Maine, and one of only eight
such programs nationwide.
Community paramedics help patients meet
critical health needs by establishing health systems that promote wellness, while serving as
advocates, educators, facilitators, liaisons, and
resource coordinators. The Community Paramedicine program has been designed to allow
paramedics in rural areas to perform needs assessments and assist in the development of community paramedicine initiatives that meet very
specific and individualized community needs.
The role assumed by the community paramedic
upon graduation will vary significantly based on
the needs of the community served. The minimum required credential for community paramedics is a current paramedic certificate license.
“This program is intended for paramedics already licensed and working in underserved

areas who are looking to expand their role,” said
Kim Esquibel, RN, PhD, chair of NMCC’s
nursing & allied
health department.
“In rural areas, paramedics may be one
of the only health
care providers in the
community.
With this additional
training, a community paramedic
can check on highrisk patients with
chronic diseases to
make sure they are
okay, as well as play
an expanded role
in public health by
helping with activities such as immunization and blood
pressure clinics.”
In addition to
serving communities in the traditional roles, com-

“The training that NMCC provides for
our Community Paramedics has
given them an outstanding foundation,
assisting them in adapting to the
specific needs of each patient and
working as part of the healthcare
team.”

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SPRING 2014

Jim McKenney, Vice President
Diagnostic/Support Services
The Aroostook Medical Center