Community Care Course Overview

The Online Community Care course through Oregon Tech / Oregon Health & Sciences University helps to educate current and future community care providers in preventative outreach and chronic disease management. The interactive online course structure offers students education and experience in public and community health; diving deep into the issues facing the community they live and work. Through exploration and connection with resources within their community, students will gain tools necessary to link patients to the right level of care at the right time.

View Community Care Program Requirements

What is a Community Care Paramedic?

Community Care Paramedic / Mobile Integrated Healthcare is a fast-growing career advancement opportunity within emergency medical services. Prehospital providers are being called on by hospitals, accountable care organizations, and communities to help improve the health of individuals. The new role of the paramedic focuses on creating opportunities for individuals to improve their health through disease education, medication reconciliation, client and community resource connection, and healthcare system navigation. Providers in this space are increasing community capacity by fully investing in populations.

Clinicals

Students will attend roughly 60-hours (over the course of two terms) in clinical experiences.

Cost

Cost for the course is based on the per credit cost for Oregon Tech. See College Costs for more information. College fees and textbooks are not included. Textbooks cost approximately $100 per term.

Prerequisite

National or state paramedic certification. Other medical professionals accepted with permission from the instructor.

Registration

How to Register

To register as a degree-seeking student, visit Oregon Tech Admissions.

To take the course as a non-degree seeking student, visit Oregon Tech admissions for non-degree seeking students.

Instructor permission is required to register. After you register for Oregon Tech (degree or non-degree), you must email the instructor to be granted permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

The program is two terms in length.

Didactic courses are offered online. Clinicals are held in the Portland area and scheduled in collaboration with the student.

All didactic coursework is offered online. Clinicals are in-person in the Portland area.

The community care program is heavily supported by faculty through Oregon Tech's Department of EMS who bring in subject matter experts to provide lectures. Guest lecturers come from various agencies around the Portland area including, Care Oregon, OHSU, Providence St. Vincent's, Multnomah County Health Department, Tuality Hospital, and various local non-profit organizations.

The community care course is designed to fit around a working paramedic's schedule. We make a considerable effort to minimize the amount of time you need to take time off / get trades.

It is up to your individual department to allow schoolwork on shift. All didactic course material is available online and can be done according to the students schedule.

The course is designed to prepare you to take the IBSC Community Paramedic Exam. (Link: https://www.ibscertifications.org/certifications)

community paramedic national curriculum

The Community Care course is based on the Community Paramedic national curriculum. We have made several changes to ensure that our program fits the needs of local movements as well as the evolving career field.

Registration Timeline

  1. Inquiry - Before October
    Email program representative, Deb Disko, and express interest.
  2. Apply - 3rd week of October
    Apply to Oregon Tech (if not already done):
    General Admissions - Begin application by third week of October.
    Non-Degree Seeking Student - Early November (deadline 1 week prior to start of classes)
  3. Approval - October to November
    Upon acceptance, email course instructor for registration permission: Adam Wagner.
  4. Register - 3rd week of November
    Register for classes - Registration opens 3rd week of November (deadline 1st day of class). Classes fill fast and space is limited. Spots are filled on a first come first served basis.
  5. Textbooks - December
    Textbooks can be purchased online through the Oregon Tech Bookstore
  6. Attend - January
    Attend your classes at Oregon Tech

Community Care Documents

Community Care Cost Breakdown