Penn. EMS School to Launch Paramedic Program

The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

An advanced paramedic training program will begin in February at the Sharon Regional Winner EMS Institute on the hospital's educational campus.

The hospital has partnered with the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) to bring the training to the community, otherwise students would have to travel to Erie or Pittsburgh for this type of training.

"We have a vested interest in training these people so they stay in our community," said Lisa Zgela, director of marketing and community relations at Sharon Regional.

The health system's Emercengy Management Services director, Tom Perry, said the program will teach Emergency Medical Technicians higher level courses for more advanced care.

"The paramedic program is so rare," Perry said. "We are the only hospital in the EMMCO west region that sponsors it."

Sharon Regional's goal is to provide advanced training in the EMMCO west regions, which includes Mercer, Crawford, Venango and Erie counties.

"We are providing a paramedic program that EMTs can take here, rather than driving to Erie or Pittsburgh, which is twice the cost," Perry said. "Cost is a big plus. A lot of EMS workers don't get paid much. When I saw the price of this class, I was very impressed. So this is very reasonable."

The total cost of the training is $4,500, plus some books, supplies and other student fees. A payment plan option is available, and students may qualify for educational funding support from area EMS providers.

Once EMTs or advanced EMTs take this course, they are given a national-based registry test, and if they pass, they will be registered to practice as a paramedic, Perry said.

"You have to be a minimum of an EMT to even enroll in the program," Perry said. "We're going to continuously have courses. Once we are done with this class, we will do another, such as an advanced pre-hospital care program. It's one of many."

This is so important, Perry says, because of the shortage of providers in this area and to keep those providers in this area.

"Right now, there are only 392 registered paramedics in all those counties," Perry said. "Last year, only 11 graduated from the program. We need to keep up with the demand, and we need to continue to grow our advanced providers in the area."

Paramedics are not only used in the field. They are used in emergency departments and industrial settings, for example.

"We are one of the only hospitals that employ paramedics in the emergency room," Perry said. "There's a large demand and very high shortage of paramedics in the area."

Sharon and CCAC have a long-standing partnership and have always been committed to providing education in this area, Perry said.

"We have seen a decline, so we tried to push for more of the advanced programs that are harder to offer," Perry said. "Sharon Regional recognized the shortage and believes so strongly in EMS education that they just hired an EMS educator. That's how much this facility believes in its EMS providers.

For information on the paramedic training, contact Thomas Perry, director of Emergency and Security Services at Thomas.Perry2@Steward.org or 724-983-3980.