Paramedicine

https://www.creighton.edu/nursing/paramedicine-programs

Master of Science, Paramedicine

Dean: Jessica Clark, DNP, RN
Department Chair: Lori Rusch PhD, RN, CNE
Graduate Program Lead: Bryan Harmer PhD, CCP, FAEMS

Paramedicine Education Mission

The Paramedicine department, founded on the principles of Jesuit, Catholic tradition and honoring the credo and mission of the university, is committed to providing a distinctive education which empowers individuals to become critical thinking, compassionate, respectful, skilled, and knowledgeable clinicians, who embrace authentic and servant leadership as well as value education as a lifelong process. 

Overview

Creighton University's online Master of Science in Paramedicine will give you the edge in today's competitive professional world of Paramedicine. Our program is designed to prepare healthcare professionals with Paramedicine experience for leadership roles requiring administration, planning, education and training, quality improvement initiatives and development. 

This program prepares students in the following areas: 

  • Organizational development and change
  • Financial management
  • Education
  • Legal and ethical issues in Paramedicine
  • Evidence based practice for quality management and improvement
  • Human resource management

This 36-credit hour program offers 8-week and full-length semester online courses. Full-time and part-time plans of study are available. 

Program Outcomes

Graduates with the Master of Science Degree in Paramedicine will:

  1. Demonstrate competency in administration, including human resources management, leadership, planning, communication, clinical care, operations, and finance.
  2. Combine critical-thinking, disciplined research, and effective problem-solving in Paramedicine.
  3. Employ ethical decision-making, service, and civic responsibility in accordance with the Judeo-Christian tradition, Ignatian values, and the values consistent with the health care professions while serving as a leader, administrator, educator, mentor, and advocate for the field of Paramedicine.
  4. Communicate respectfully and effectively through all modes of expression.
  5. Work effectively and in solidarity across the distinctions of human diversity.

Admission Requirements

Academic acceptance is based on academic credentials and application materials:

  • Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Paramedicine, Emergency Medical Services, or a related discipline from an accredited college or university.
  • A minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • Demonstrated academic readiness and clear alignment between the applicant’s professional goals and the program’s goals, as reflected in the personal statement, letters of recommendation, and other application materials.
  • While patient care experience in emergency medical services is preferred, it is not required. All candidates must be able to clearly articulate how their professional background and goals align with the program’s outcomes.

Additional admission requirements include:

  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae: including relevant education and any employment history, certifications and licensures, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations, professional associations, experience and background in Paramedicine and/or healthcare.
  • Personal Statement: In 500 words or less, explain how successful completion of this program will help you achieve your professional goals and how your background prepares you for graduate-level academic work.
  • Recommendations: Three letters of recommendation from individuals other than family members that address your academic and professional abilities. Letters from employers, undergraduate faculty members, or colleagues are preferred.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. Applicants must assume the responsibility of requesting the registrar of each institution previously attended to mail or email an official transcript directly to Creighton University Enrollment Services Department.
  • Pre-Admission Faculty Interview: Prior to admission, candidates may be asked to interview with program faculty or the chair to further discuss their academic readiness and alignment of their professional goals with the program’s goals.

English Proficiency Requirement:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Evidence of a TOEFL score of 100 on the Internet-Based Test (IBT), and
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): score of 7.0 or a Duolingo score of 120 within the past two years is required for all Paramedicine applicants who meet both criteria below:
  1. Native language is not English
  2. Have not obtained an undergraduate or higher in the United States*.

*Exceptions to Criteria 2 include students who have completed an undergraduate degree from one of the following countries: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guam, Ireland, Jamaica, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Scotland, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, and Virgin Islands.

If applicants do not meet both criteria, the applicant can submit a waiver to the appropriate College of Nursing Admissions Committee. Each waiver will be evaluated on an individual basis.

The College of Nursing reserves the right to:

  • The College of Nursing reserves the right to require students to re-take the exam. It is also at the discretion of the College of Nursing as to whether an English Language Proficiency exam is required of applicants who have earned a college degree from a university in the United States or another approved country.

  • Determine whether an approved English language proficiency exam is required of applicants who have earned a college degree from a university in the United States or another approved country. Request an interview of any prospective student.

Other Additional Requirements:

Immunizations, background checks, drug screens and any other compliance requirements may be necessary based on possible practicum placements.

Courses

PMC 601. Paramedicine Leadership. 3 credits.

This course begins with the fundamental concepts and theories of leadership. Students will reflect on their own experiences with leadership and the concepts of leadership and leadership styles that they have developed through prior studies and social experiences in prior years. The students will learn about the current theories of situational leadership, servant leadership, transformational leadership and others.

PMC 602. Organizational Development and Organizational Change. 3 credits.

In today’s ever-changing business environment, it is imperative for leaders within Paramedicine organizations to understand the process of organizational development and how it can be leveraged to promote organizational effectiveness. They must also understand the role of organizational change and how change affects individuals, organizations, and processes. This course is designed to advance students’ knowledge of organizational development and change, familiarizing students with the fundamentals of organizational behavior, change theory, organizational leadership and strategic management. Students will assess and diagnose Paramedicine organizations with respect to artifacts, espoused values, mission statements, vision statements, performance goals, objectives and outcome measures.

PMC 603. Clinical Practice and Quality Assurance. 3 credits.

Patient care in Paramedicine is most frequently provided in isolated settings outside of hospitals and clinics by one individual or a small team of two or three emergency medical technicians and paramedics. Assuring up-to-date competency, compliance and quality are important systemic challenges in the field of Paramedicine management and leadership. This course will follow the steps of a sound Quality Improvement Program beginning with assessing opportunities, determining how to collect the necessary information, collecting and analyzing data, and utilizing data for quality improvement. Students will learn how to develop and utilize quality metrics both unique to their organizations as well as those determined by regulatory agencies.

PMC 604. Paramedicine Financial Management. 3 credits.

Paramedicine fiscal management is complex and diverse. Paramedicine spans the healthcare, public safety, firefighting, not-for-profit, for-profit, hospital system subsidiary agency, aero medical services, military services and other sectors of the economy, each with differences in funding sources, reporting requirements, budgetary cycles, and fiscal management strategies. EMS fiscal management must be competent and current to remain competitive and serve the interests of the community.

PMC 605. Ethics in Paramedicine. 3 credits.

This course focuses on the practical application of foundational concepts of ethics to clinical, administrative, and educational settings for Paramedicine professionals including ethical case analyses. Given the special environments in which Paramedicine operate, there will be an emphasis placed on interprofessional collaboration and communication. Paramedicine shares a set of medical and research ethics with medicine and nursing, however, Paramedicine leaders and managers must also be competent in the Paramedicine culture and special environment in which EMS operates.

PMC 606. Education for Paramedicine Professionals. 3 credits.

This course provides a graduate-level learning opportunity for Paramedicine professionals to develop an understanding of the principles, practices and theory of Paramedine education. Those students who complete this course will be prepared to administer, plan, develop and advocate for Paramedicine education and training programs at multiple organizational levels, including nationally accredited institutions of higher learning, municipal and other government-based training agencies, and independent for profit and not-for‐profit training agencies, as well as serving in governmental regulatory positions that have oversight responsibilities for Paramedicine education and training. Employee orientation and employee development processes will also be explored.

PMC 607. Human Resource Management in Healthcare. 3 credits.

Students will be introduced to the importance of strategic human resources management in organizations, with a focus on healthcare enterprises. Topics covered will include recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, and motivating employees to create a productive and dynamic work environment. The course will also examine the impact of the legal, economic and legislative environment on strategic human resource management, as well as explore the impact of labor relations on the organization and employee.

PMC 608. Paramedicine Law, Regulations and Risk Management. 3 credits.

The field of Paramedicine is governed by a complex set of federal, state and municipal laws and regulations. Paramedicine leaders need to be aware of the applicable law and regulations, as well as the interpretations and actions established as a result of these laws. In addition to an overview of the US judicial system, civil liability, risk management, negligence, and employment law topics will be explored.

PMC 609. Paramedicine Research. 3 credits.

Evidence-based research has a profound influence on Paramedicine operations. This course is designed to introduce basic concepts related to scientific and social inquiry. While students will not be conducting and completing original research as part of this course, basic research methodology and the processes necessary to conduct a study will be reviewed. Critical analysis of research studies will be completed, with an emphasis on reviewing the strength of the evidence.

PMC 620. Practicum in Paramedicine Leadership. 3 credits.

The practicum is designed to be a hands-on experience intended to allow the student to apply culminated knowledge in a real world Paramedicine leadership environment. With the guidance of the faculty advisor, the student will determine a suitable practicum site and emphasis of study, developing a detailed proposal to guide completion of the fieldwork project during the term. P: Department Consent.

PMC 640. Independent Study. 1-3 credits.

Students who take independent study credits are expected to study an area of interest in Paramedicine leadership in great depth. The topic is developed in consultation between the student and faculty mentor, based on ideas the student has expressed in the Independent Study Project Proposal. This project will require an in-depth literature review as well as extensive data gathering, analysis, and synthesis of material into a final written paper. P: Department Consent.

PMC 650. Capstone Project. 3 credits. FA, SP, SU

PMC 650 is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to apply their acquired knowledge in Paramedicine leadership, while continuing to explore and enhance skills as Paramedicine leaders. Projects will be developed by students in consultation between the student and faculty mentor. P: PMC 601, PMC 602, PMC 603, PMC 604, PMC 605, PMC 606, PMC 607, PMC 608, and PMC 609.