Paramedic

Paramedic: CE: Monday/Thursday Shift Friendly Schedule 2025-2026

paramedic banner

Thank you for your interest in the Emergency Medical Science – Paramedic Program. This shift-friendly course allows you to choose from the available days on which day you want to come to class. This unique program will allow both certificate and curriculum Paramedic students to meet together in one cohesive learning environment.

Students may apply to JCC and enroll into the curriculum Paramedic pathway and complete Paramedic level classes while simultaneously completing general education classes needed to complete their Associate’s Degree in Emergency Medical Science; OR they may enroll in the certificate Paramedic pathway and complete only the needed education to obtain their Paramedic certification.

As you continue reading, please pay special attention to the pathway instructions of your choosing!

The 2025-2026 Paramedic Program will start online on Monday, January 6th, 2025. The seated portion of the course begins on Tuesday, January 7th / Wednesday, January 8th. Certificate students must show up the first day for the day in the section they signed up for (03U: Tuesday / 04U: Wednesday). Curriculum students may attend either Tuesday or Wednesday beginning the first week.

This course will include:

  • Online coursework
  • Campus classroom work
  • Psychomotor lab (hands-on) sessions
  • Hospital clinical
  • Field internship and evaluations.

This program meets the NCOEMS and National EMS Education Standards and AHA Guidelines. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will qualify to take the NC Office of EMS Paramedic credentialing exam and National Registry Paramedic exam. After reviewing this packet, if you have any questions, please contact Brittany Baker, CE Program Coordinator, at 919-464-2299 or bjbaker@johnstoncc.edu ,

Program Information

The Paramedic is the highest level of credential in the pre-hospital setting. Student training includes the use of complex medical equipment, such as manual monitors/defibrillators, the administer on various medications and the performance of skills per State and National standards.

JCC students receive certifications in numerous additional practices such as

  • Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS)
  • Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)

Students learn the necessary skills needed in today's ever evolving medical field to recognize, treat, and reverse life threatening conditions.

Course Information

This Paramedic Program is a 16-month program divided into three parts. The student will complete approximately 460 didactic (lecture) hours, 390 psychomotor lab (hands-on) hours and 504 clinical (field/hospital) hours within the class. Students will meet in person on a shift-friendly schedule, either Tuesday or Wednesday 9:00am-4:00pm each week per the course schedule. The course includes occasional weekend and Friday classes per the course schedule.

Entry Test for the Paramedic Course

DON’T WAIT if you have to complete an entry test. Testing can be completed before the application is submitted. If you need instruction in English or Math, you will need to allow time for completion and retesting before the paramedic course starts.

NC Office of EMS requires all applicants to have:

  • Successful completion of college-level English (ENG 111 at minimum), or within the previous 12 months complete a written assessment placing the individual into college-level English.

Successful completion of college-level Math (MAT 110 at minimum), or within the previous 12 months complete a written assessment placing the individual into college-level Math.

Written Entry Test

Johnston Community College will offer the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) test for students requiring placement testing. If the applicant does not meet the required levels, the applicant can enter into remediation classes.

Once completed, the applicant will be required to complete the TABE test again; Completion of remediation classes will be confirmed by the testing department and a letter will be provided stating students meet the requirements for entry into the Paramedic course.

Applicant must pass the entry test or complete remediation before they can be accepted in the Paramedic course. Remediation will be offered in the Fall semester until November 26th.

How to Register for the Entry Test

TABE testing will be held on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, September 25th at 2pm
  • Friday, October 4th at 9am
  • Wednesday, October 16th at 2pm
  • Friday, November 1st at 9am
  • Wednesday, November 13th at 2pm
  • Wednesday, December 18th at 9am

Students in need of placement testing should email Brittany Baker at bjbaker@johnstoncc.edu  with the date that they are available for testing and include their full name, phone number, address, email address and date of birth. Photo ID is required to be presented the day of testing at Basic Skills Department in the Elsee Building on the JCC campus. Students should arrive 15 minutes early for testing to complete registration.

Applicants do not have to take the entry test if they meet the State requirement by holding a college degree, taken college English (ENG 111 at minimum) and Math (MAT 110 at minimum).

Paramedic Program Admission Process

***** Entry testing is recommended before completing the admission process. *****

Step One: Pre-Admission Process

    • ALL STUDENTS Complete Paramedic Certificate Program Application.
    • Submit with program application: (Applications are considered incomplete without the following)
      • A copy of valid state driver’s license.
      • A copy of EMT credential or proof of successful completion of an EMT course (valid/active NC credential is required prior to entry into clinicals).
      • Documentation of high school graduation or GED.
      • A copy of valid AHA Health provider BLS/CPR card.
      • A copy of medical insurance, if applicable.
      • If applicable, documentation to be exempt from entry testing. Must be official documentation. 
    • Application may be delivered to:
      Johnston Community College
      Public Safety Services Building (Building J)
      245 College Road
      Smithfield, NC 27577
      Attn: Brittany Baker, Paramedic Program Coordinator
    • Applications may be emailed to Brittany Baker at bjbaker@johnstoncc.edu
    • CURRICULUM PATHWAY STUDENTS ONLY: Complete application to JCC to be admitted as a Curriculum student. Once accepted, please email Brittany Baker at bjbaker@johnstoncc.edu for the next steps.

    Submit applications as soon as they are completed to Brittany Baker, CE Program Coordinator. This will allow time for entry testing (if applicable) and completion of the application process. The application deadline for the 2025-2026 Paramedic Certificate Pathway is Friday December 15th, 2024. The JCC Curriculum Pathway application deadline for the Spring Semester is Monday, December 20th, 2024. (Students who require placement testing, must complete testing and any required remediation and retesting by December 5th to be eligible to enroll.)

Step Two: Attend Orientation Session

  • Attend a program orientation session located in the Public Safety Building, Room J1360. Orientation sessions usually last an hour. Sessions are scheduled for:
    • Tuesday, December 17th and Wednesday, December 18th – both at 10am (students need only to attend one orientation session)
  • Certificate Pathway Students will complete a JCC Continuing Education Registration Form or at orientation
    • Pay Fees: Curriculum students must register and pay for classes by January 6th, 2025. Certificate students must make Division I registration payment & clinical insurance payment by January 6th. You may be asked to pay for registration online through JCC Self-Service or contact the JCC Cashiers Office at 919-464-2165. 
    • Certificate Pathway Students: For fee exemption, student must be on a NC primary emergency response provider that is approved by NC Community College System. When you complete your registration form you MUST indicate the provider, your position (i.e. EMT, firefighter, etc.) and must sign the registration form. 
  • All students must purchase $19 Liability insurance coverage policy through Johnston Community College. Students must have coverage per contracts with clinical agencies. Coverage will be included with registration payment on line. Liability insurance is not covered by provides or State Community College if you are granted fee exemption; Meaning even if you are fee waived with affiliation, you must still pay this $19 fee.

If you have any questions about the admission process, please contact Brittany Baker, CE Program Coordinator, at 919-464-2299 or bjbaker@johnstoncc.edu  

Before Course Begins: 

(Discussed in detail at orientation)

  • Purchase access to Platinum Planner and EMS Testing. Purchase instructions will be provided at orientation.
  • Purchase class resource materials:
    • Textbook: Sanders' Paramedic Textbook, Sixth Edition, ISBN: 978-1284277531. Resources can be purchase at Johnston Community College Book store or online at jblearning.com
    • Additional resources are required for specialty certification classes offered during the course (ACLS, PALS, PEPP, PHTLS, AMLS, and GEMS). Prices vary depending on where you make your purchase.

A & P Requirement (Co-Requisite)

If a student has previously taken an A&P course that meets NC OEMS requirements, documentation must be submitted for verification. Courses that meet the requirement include:

  • EMS 3163
  • BIO 163
  • BIO 165 AND BIO 166
  • BIO 168 AND BIO 169

EMS 3163 will be offered twice during the paramedic course as a co-requisite. Completion of A&P prior to start of the clinical phase on April 1st, 2025 is a requirement by NC OEMS. Students may register for EMS 3163 as a pre-requisite from August 2024-December 2024 – course begins August 19th, 2024. EMS 3163 will be offered as co-requisite from January 2025-March 2025.

Viewpoint Screening

Must be completed prior to clinical phase:

  • Complete a background check, urine drug screen and submit immunizations records through Viewpoint Screening (purchase information will be provided at orientation).

Students must purchase access and upload all documentation to their profile.

More information provided at orientation.

  • Immunizations required are: Influenza Vaccine (after September 1st, 2023); Tdap (with tetanus booster within last ten years); TB Skin Test (2 injections) [no less than 8 days but no more than 21 days apart] or CXR within 6 months or TB Quantitative Blood Draw; Hepatitis B Vaccine Series, positive Titer, or Declination Form; Varicella Vaccine (2 injections) or Positive Titer; and MMR Vaccine (2 injections) or Positive Titer; COVID Vaccination or declination form.
    • Currently, there is only one hospital agency (Duke Medical Center) requiring COVID Vaccination
  • Complete a physical exam with a physician and complete a medical history form.

Breakdown of Course Cost

This is just a rough estimate. All prices for items from vendors are subject to change. Prices vary per vendor.

Clinical Uniform Requirements

Students in the JCC EMS Paramedic program will be required to attend clinical internships
wearing their approved uniform. Students are required to wear uniforms to class. The uniform will consist of the following:

  • JCC Clinical Uniform Polo Shirt * $35.00
  • JCC Clinical Uniform T-shirt (optional) * $10.00
  • EMS Style Uniform Pants $30.00 and up 
  • Black Leather or Nylon Duty Belt $15.00 and up
  • Black Public Safety Shoes or Boots $50.00 and up
  • All Weather Jacket $30.00 and up
  • Reflective Traffic Vest $10.00
    Total Uniform Cost: $180.00
    * Items required to be purchased through the approved vendor by JCC EMS Program

Specialty Resources (Book and certification card cost estimate)

  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) $71.25
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) $56.25
  • Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC) $75.00
  • Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) $85.00
  • Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) $80.00
  • Geriatric Education for EMS (GEMS) $15.00

Total Specialty Book Cost: $382.50

Prices of specialty books vary depending on the vendor. Student are allowed to borrow books for class. Certification cards are optional, but successful completion of the specific courses is required to complete the Paramedic program.  

Summary of Additional Costs for Paramedic Program

  • Viewpoint Screening $122.00
  • EMS Testing & Platinum Planner $183.00
  • Textbook & Workbook $470.00 and up
  • Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance $19.00

Total (Does not include registration or course fees) $794.00

Paramedic Certificate Program Application (PDF)
Brittany Jackson Baker – Paramedic, B.S., MHS
Paramedic Program Coordinator
Johnston Community College
245 College Rd., Smithfield NC 27577
bjbaker@johnstoncc.edu  
919-564-2299 (Office)
919-820-5300 (Cell)