Las Positas College Paramedic Program Awarded Accreditation

From Las Positas College: Las Positas College's new Emergency Medical Services Paramedic Program has been awarded initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

"This formal validation of our Paramedic Program reflects the high quality of our academic standards and training of our students," said Las Positas College President Barry A. Russell, Ph.D. "These students go on to provide critical services in this region and help save lives throughout the community." Initial accreditation marks the beginning of the first accreditation cycle, which is conducted every five years.

The Paramedic Program also recently stepped up to help paramedic students at the recently shuttered Fast Response School of Health Care Education in Berkeley. The school reached out to Las Positas College, requesting support for their 21 paramedic students who could not complete the program because of the school's closure. Faculty, staff and administrators from Las Positas College and the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District responded by working together to transition these students into the college's program.

Launched in August 2012, the Paramedic Program is among Las Positas College's three Emergency Medical Services Programs, which also include Emergency Medical Responder and Emergency Medical Technician. "Programs are based on the most progressive and most successful medical and nursing schools," said Instructor Sebastian E. Wong. "Students learn with industry-standard educational tools, preparing them to work in the field upon graduation."

Upon completion of the Paramedic Program, a student is eligible to participate in the National Registry Examination Process. A successful student will be eligible for licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) in the state of California. Wong notes that there are 31 accredited paramedic training programs in the state and 20 of those programs are offered by community colleges.

The Emergency Medical Services Programs are among three distinct Public Safety offerings at Las Positas College, which also include Administration of Justice and Fire Service Technology. All programs have strong connections with area organizations and agencies.

For more information about the programs, please visit the Las Positas College website at www.laspositascollege.edu.

Photo courtesy of Las Positas College