Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 20 : Spring 2014 | Page 71

munity paramedics are employed by acute-care
hospitals, long-term care facilities, assisted-living
organizations, public-health entities, and municipalities.
Community paramedicine is a relatively
new concept nationally. In order to allow paramedics to take advantage of this additional
training, the program has been designed to be
offered primarily online. The majority of the
career training courses will be offered exclusively
online. Students may then opt to take any required general education classes at NMCC or at
a college closer to home.
“We are excited about the opportunity to
provide this training not only to EMS personnel
in Aroostook County but throughout New England,” said Dr. Dottie Martin, NMCC academic
dean. “Community paramedics are a valuable
resource in their local community, playing an
important role in preventing unnecessary hospitalization and readmission to the hospital.”
Paramedics already holding an associate
degree can enroll in the advanced certificate level
of the program, which entails five career courses
totaling 16 credits. Paramedics who do not have
an associate degree can enter the Associate in
Science degree level of the program or the Community Paramedic certificate program, taking
the same five career courses, as well as additional
credits in math, science and other general education courses.

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