The paramedic program is a fast paced and exciting 21-month journey leading to the associate of applied science degree. The program follows the National Standard Paramedic Curriculum utilizing state of the art technology for a perfect blend of classroom, laboratory, clinical and field education. Our program is looking for a diversity of students from right out of high school to the between-careers adult. 

Jefferson's program stands apart from others because we have been nationally accredited for over 20 years and have been providing paramedic education since 1984.  Our program believes in quality education not quantity.  We believe in providing students the best educational and hands on experiences possible by keeping our numbers small and having full-time faculty and staff available to the students, not an assundry of adjunct faculty that may not be accessible. 

Our student to faculty ratio is 30 to 1 in the classroom setting, 6 to 1 in the laboratory, 3 to 1 and 2 to 1 clinical, and 2 to 1 in the field. Additionally, all preceptors in the clinical facilities and field have been specifically selected and trained by our staff to ensure that you are receiving the most hands-on and best patient care experiences possible.  We have clinicals in a Level One Trauma Center and a womens and pediatrics hospital. along with field work with award winning and nationally accredited EMS services. 

The program also offers an elective aeromedical care course for those interested in flight medicine. Our graduates are working in at least 15 different states, and earn a starting salary of $30,000 – $42,000.  In some areas it is significantly more, however, that is usually associated with a higher cost of living.  In the greater Roanoke Valley, the average starting salary for a new graduate is $36,000.  Additionally, some agencies offer sign-on bonuses, moving allowances and other pay incentives for graduating with a degree from an accredited program. 

As faculty and staff of the department, we take your success personally because the graduate is a direct reflection of education they received and serve as a representative of our program.  Our faculty also maintain an open door policy so that students feel welcome any time they are around.

Nationally Registered EMT-Paramedics and Nationally Registered EMT-Intermediates may request, in writing, advanced standing through the EHS-Paramedic Program Director.  A copy of all current certifications is required.  Click here for catalog information.

The field externship is designed to put into practice didactic, psychomotor and affective skills that the student has built from the classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences.  Students complete a minimum of 400 hours of field time starting with observation and progressing to leading and performing total patient care at the paramedic level. Students gain valuable experience by riding with Nationally Accredited and nationally recognized career EMS agencies.  Students are assigned paramedic preceptors that have been specifically trained to meet the needs of the paramedic student in the prehospital setting.  Students are also exposed to both the rural and urban EMS settings to gain an appreciation of how patient care is affected by setting.  Student to Preceptor ratios range from 1:1 to 2: 1 in the field setting.  

During the last semester of the program students are allowed to choose a career agency outside the area to go and participate in a ride-a-long format. This affords the student the opportunity to explore potential employment opportunities and observe how EMS is operated in other areas.  The paper work process and communications are facilitated through our Clinical and Field Externship Coordinator.  Students have experienced opportunities as far away as Anchorage, Alaska and New South Wales, Australia.