NMCC OK’d as EMS Advanced Life Support Training Center
PRESQUE ISLE — Following an intense year-long self-study and a review by outside experts, the Maine Emergency Medical Services Division of the State Department of Public Safety has authorized Northern Maine Community College as a Maine EMS Advanced Life Support Training Center.
The designation uniquely positions NMCC in northern Maine as the go-to organization approved by the state to conduct initial licensing courses and refresher courses at all Maine EMS license levels. The Aroostook County college is also authorized to approve continuing education programs in accordance with the Maine EMS Continuing Education Standards.
“We are one of just a handful of programs in the state approved at this level,” said Daryl Boucher, NMCC EMS program coordinator. “They looked at everything from the success of our graduates on the job, pass rate on licensure exams, to the credentialing of our faculty. This approval will allow NMCC to continue to provide both continuing education and licensure programs for years to come. The announcement is a tribute to the hardworking and dedicated faculty on our staff.”
In addition to training programs, the designation by Maine EMS authorizes NMCC to coordinate and conduct the required State of Maine Practical Skills Evaluations (PSE) at the First Responder, EMT-Basic and EMT Intermediate level and the National Registry of EMT (NREMT) practical examination.
The goal of the Emergency Medical Services program at NMCC is to produce competent, entry-level paramedics to serve in career and volunteer positions in Aroostook County, neighboring New Brunswick, statewide and nationwide. The associate of applied science (AAS) degree in EMS is designed to prepare students for the National Registry Paramedic exam and to function as confident EMS team leaders and pre-hospital practitioners. Two other options of study are available to students in the EMS field as well — the EMT-Intermediate certificate and the Paramedic certificate.
NMCC has a long history of delivering quality EMS courses throughout Aroostook County. The college was one of the first regions in the state to educate EMTs to the paramedic level.
In 2001, NMCC and regional EMS leaders recognized a need to place more focus on the education of first responders and the program was moved from the continuing education division of the College to the nursing and allied health department. For the first time, NMCC employed an EMS coordinator to oversee the program and assure consistent, high-quality delivery of EMS educational programs.
NMCC students currently complete their clinical work at a number of area ambulance services, with the majority of clinical skills completed at Caribou Fire and Ambulance and Crown Ambulance, the two busiest services in Aroostook County. Other field externship affiliation services include the Madawaska Ambulance Department, Fort Kent-based Ambulance Services Inc., Van Buren Ambulance Department, Houlton Ambulance, Island Falls Ambulance and Ashland Ambulance.
The Maine EMS Training Center approval process was created to ensure quality and consistent minimum standards in the delivery of education programs in Maine. The Maine EMS Board is responsible for regulating EMS activity in the state. The board is also responsible for monitoring educational program quality, ensuring consistency in the educational process and establishing minimum standards for EMS education.
Authorization of a program by Maine EMS is assigned when the program meets the criteria outlined for a training center. Annual written reports of educational activities and progress will continue to be submitted to Maine EMS by NMCC. The authorization is for a five-year period.
