January 23, 2009

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Janet Kincherlow-Martin
Director of Public Relations
(256) 306-2561
jkm@calhoun.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Calhoun’s EMT-Paramedic Program Awarded Continuing Accreditation by National Accrediting Body

Calhoun Community College’s Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic program has been awarded continuing accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). According to the CAAHEP, Calhoun’s program was recognized for it’s compliance with the nationally established accreditation standards of the organization. The next scheduled comprehensive review for the college’s program will not occur until 2014.

Calhoun’s Emergency Medical Services and Paramedic programs are among the best in the country. According to program director Mark Branon, first time certification test passage rates for Calhoun graduates consistently exceed both state and national averages. Calhoun’s current passage rate for EMT graduates is 92%, compared to 69% for the state and 72% nationally.

Current passage rates for graduates of the paramedic program average 82%, compared to 48% for the state and 68% nationally. Currently, 123 students are enrolled in Calhoun’s EMT and Paramedic programs. According to Branon, job placement rates for Calhoun’s graduates are excellent. “Job placement for our paramedic program is currently 100%,” said Branon. “Based on our latest count, placement rates for the EMT program are above 80%. Many of the individuals completing this program are already working in other career fields and become EMT’s to volunteer in the communities, so it skews the numbers for this program a bit,” Branon added

For more information about Calhoun’s Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic programs, call 256/306-2854 or visit the Calhoun website at www.calhoun.edu.

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