Emergency Medical Services Collage

Oregon Tech is a nationally recognized leader in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education. We offer one of the few university programs in the country with joint degree programs between a leading polytechnic university (Oregon Tech) and a medical school (Oregon Health and Science University).

The Paramedic program, which began in 1977 as an offshoot of the OHSU medical school training program, is the only university level paramedic program in the state of Oregon. Over 700 alumni can be found in nearly every EMS agency in the region. Our EMT and Paramedic program, as are all of the degree offerings from our EMS department, are a collaborative effort between Oregon Tech and OHSU.

Our programs offer a diversified educational experience designed to develop strong field provider skills, as well as management and leadership training within EMS. Students with the discipline and drive to successfully complete our programs, earn eligibility for both state and national licensing exams, and find employment with leading agencies across the Nation.

EMS Information Sessions

The sessions are an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered, meet faculty, learn about the application process, and tour the Oregon Tech Portland-Metro campus.

Upcoming Information Sessions:

  • Thursday, January 8, 2025 at 7pm via Zoom
  • Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 7pm via Zoom

This meeting is held virtually via Zoom. Please RSVP to Deb Disko for connection information.

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EMT and Paramedic Diversity Scholarship

Scholarship Announcement

American Medical Response (AMR), in partnership with OHSU and Oregon Tech is excited to announce an EMS diversity and underserved populations scholarship opportunity. We recognize that quality prehospital care begins with education. The cost of this education may prevent well-qualified candidates from pursuing a career in EMS. For more information, please see the scholarship link below.

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EMS Education and Industry Fair

Industry Fair Announcement

Please join us for the 2024 EMS Education and Industry Fair on Wednesday, February 28 from 4:00 to 7:00.pm.   

Curious about the field of EMS? 
This is an opportunity to learn about the profession, meet with current students and faculty, learn about our EMS education programs, meet with potential employers, and learn about the latest technology. 


Competitive Advantages of the OHSU/Oregon Tech Paramedic Program

  • Includes Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) certifications within degree.
  • Only university-based paramedic program in Oregon
  • Broad exposure to the full spectrum of the EMS industry (EMT, paramedic, critical care, community care, ems management)
  • Dedicated faculty educators currently working in the EMS field
  • OHSU partnership
  • A pool of cutting edge physicians and educators teaching on their specialties
  • Hands-on invasive skills training with fresh cadavers
  • Weekly high-fidelity simulation lab integration starting on week 1
  • Primary EMS research opportunities
  • Nationwide progressive externship opportunities

Pursuing a career as a paramedic is a rewarding choice. Paramedics play an important role in every community, whether here in Oregon, in other states, or around the world.

A Paramedic can perform the most extensive pre-hospital advanced life support. In essence, a Paramedic is able to provide care on a level that is at the same level as an emergency room. Paramedics provide advanced treatment, while EMTs do basic-level life support like bandaging, airway management, and CPR.

Outcomes

CAAHEP accredited paramedic programs track and report outcomes annually. The most current annual report was for the calendar year 2022.  This was a tough year for many paramedic schools (and the world) as pandemic restrictions warranted barriers.  We are proud of our results as our faculty, staff, and students overcame these unprecedented challenges.

2022 Annual Report Results 
National Registry Written Exam Results100%
Program Attrition14%
Program Retention86%
Job Placement84%

Accreditation

The Associate of Applied Science program in Emergency Medical Technology exceeds Oregon and National standards for paramedic programs.

We are regionally accredited by: the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program.

The OHSU-Oregon Tech Paramedic Education Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Professions (CoAEMSP).

Paramedic Degree in Portland, OR

90%
Employed
10%
Continuing Education
$56,000
Starting Graduate Salary