Vermont Tech has received full initial accreditation for their Paramedicine program, first in Vermont

25 Jul 2018

Vermont Technical College is proud to announce that their paramedicine program has received official accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Initial full national accreditation was granted to the new Paramedicine certificate program. The CAAHEP is responsible for the specialized accreditation of paramedicine education programs. The program is the first fully accredited paramedicine program in the state.

Vermont Tech’s first graduating class of Paramedicine students (2017) had an 87% first-attempt pass rate of the national exam (NREMT) and are all working in the field. This rate compares to the 80% average pass rate for Paramedics in all of Vermont in 2017, according to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (https://www.nremt.org/rwd/public/data/maps).

“We’re thrilled with the news of our accreditation,” said Inge Luce, Program Director for the Paramedicine Program. “We are particularly pleased for the strength of the collaborative partnerships we have with our community agencies and healthcare organizations. They strengthen the academic rigor of our program and provide greater access to clinical experience throughout Vermont.”

“Emergency medical personnel are greatly needed as our population ages and society struggles with substance abuse disorder,” notes President Patricia Moulton. “Paramedics are the first in line of a patient’s healthcare team intervention in a crisis. Through this program, Vermont Tech can provide more skilled personnel to the workforce in an in-demand profession in our state and region.”

CAAHEP established the accreditation standards in conjunction with numerous other healthcare organizations. Also contributing to the standards are the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Ambulance Association, American College of Cardiology, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Anesthesiologists, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, National Association of State EMS Officials, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, National Association of EMS Physicians, and the National Association of EMS Educators.