The San Juan College Paramedic program achieved a 100 percent pass rate of the National Registry Paramedic examination.
After an intense year of classroom and real-world learning, the San Juan College Paramedic class of 2023 graduates September 15. In a remarkable display of excellence, SJC’s Paramedic Program has achieved a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the National Registry Paramedic examination every year since 2012. This compares to a 77 percent first-time pass rate on a national level for the latest reporting year of 2022.
The National Registry Paramedic examination is a rigorous and comprehensive test that assesses candidates’ knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform as competent entry-level paramedics. It is considered the gold standard for paramedic certification. Achieving a 100 percent first-time pass rate is a testament to the program’s dedication to producing highly skilled paramedics, who will in turn benefit our local communities.
The success of the paramedic program extends beyond the classroom. Students also gain valuable, practical experience through clinicals and internships with San Juan Regional Medical Center and other community partners. These experiences afford students the opportunity to apply their skills in real emergency situations.
“Our paramedic program, and lead instructor Greg McCarty sets our students up for success from day one,”says SJC’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director Diane Meyer. “The program’s curriculum extends student knowledge and abilities well beyond what is needed to pass the National Registry test. Greg and our team make sure the students are competent and ready for real-time paramedicine, as soon as they graduate.”
The SJC paramedic training program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the
Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) and has held full accreditation since 2015. The last site visit report highlighted the program as “being held in high regard by the communities of interest” and made special note of the Program Director, Diane Meyer, and faculty being regarded as “professional, competent, and approachable.”
The EMS program offers training in all levels of pre-hospital management, including Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Basic, Advanced and Paramedic levels of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The EMS program also offers continuing education for those already working in the field.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the administrative support and funding for EMS education at San Juan College. Students are given the opportunity for hands-on training using advanced technology and equipment and learn in the on-campus state-of-the-art simulation facility.
EMS students also learn from a dedicated, highly experienced field of pre-hospital care professionals. The full-time faculty have 86 combined years of work experience in the field and EMS education. Instructors go the extra mile to create immersive learning experiences. The program also relies heavily on adjunct instructors and their willingness to share their knowledge and field experience.
With the National Registry Paramedic pass rates serving as a shining example of the program’s success, San Juan College remains dedicated to shaping the future of emergency medical services education and imparting knowledge and experience to the next generation of first responders.
For more information on the EMS Program, visit sanjuancollege.edu/ems.
