NMCC to offer Maine’s first community paramedicine program

    PRESQUE ISLE — Beginning this fall, Northern Maine Community College will offer a community paramedicine program that will allow for expanded career choices for experienced, licensed paramedics. It is the first of its kind in Maine, and one of only eight such programs nationwide.
    The program is designed to educate licensed paramedics who are primarily employed in the pre-hospital emergency environment to become competent community paramedics. Community paramedics work collaboratively with public health, home care and primary care professionals in non-emergency settings, filling gaps in the health care workforce.
    “This program is intended for paramedics already licensed and working in underserved areas who are looking to expand their role,” said Daryl Boucher, coordinator of NMCC’s EMS program. “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 high risk patients with chronic diseases to make sure they are OK, as well as play an expanded role in public health by helping with activities such as immunization and blood pressure clinics.”
    Community paramedicine is a relatively new concept nationally and in Maine. In order to allow paramedics from across the state to take advantage of this additional training, the program has been designed to be offered primarily online. All of the career training courses will be offered exclusively online. Students may then opt to take the 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 Maine,” 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.”
    The NMCC admissions office is presently accepting applicants into the program for the fall 2012 semester.