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.
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 Results | 100% |
| Program Attrition | 14% |
| Program Retention | 86% |
| Job Placement | 84% |
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).
Featured Courses
First Year Courses
First year courses are designed to provide a solid foundation for success in your professional paramedic training or in any Allied Health career path, and primarily consist of:
- Anatomy and Physiology Series
- EMS Coursework
- Emergency Medical Technician Basic 1 and 2
- Intro to EMS
- Medical Terminology
Second Year Courses
The second year or the professional phase of the program, consists of a full time, 12-month (4 terms) sequence. Please note that students who completed the first year prerequisites at another university, do not have to retake the first year courses with Oregon Tech. These 12 months are comprised into three main segments:
- Rigorous, academic didactic course work
- Clinical rotations at a variety of departments at OHSU as well as other regional hospitals
- 12-Week externship: We have externship contracts with most local agencies as well as many agencies across the county