The graduates finished the college’s 18-week EMT program at different intervals in recent weeks, receiving their medical technician “pins” and graduation certificates, enabling them to sit for the National EMT Certification Examination, according to MSJC.

The program is offered at both the main San Jacinto campus and the Menifee satellite campus.

Enrollees are provided ambulance ride-alongs, hands-on simulations, internships and a bevy of related academic drills that emphasize “real-world preparedness, equipping students with the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively in emergency situations,” according to a campus statement.

Among the graduates was 44-year-old Nicolas Piepenbrink of Hemet, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Though his lifelong goal has been to become an EMT, previous efforts faltered due to challenges with the methods of instruction, officials said. However, he praised the teaching practices at MSJC, which provided the means for him to readily grasp the concepts and attain success at the end of the 18-week session.

“I finally felt like I was learning in a way that worked for me,” he said. “The excellent support from my instructors made all the difference.”

Riverside County requires that even basic life-support ambulances be staffed by EMTs. Some ambulances also have certified paramedics aboard.

The county has a long-standing contract with American Medical Response to handle all calls for medical aid, when required, countywide.

The county Emergency Management Department has regularly pointed to the need for greater numbers of EMTs and paramedics to handle growing demand.

Additional details on the MSJC program are available at www.msjc.edu/nursingandalliedhealth/emergencymedicalservices.

The post Officials Say Riverside County Needs More EMTs; MSJC Answers The Call appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Designed to meet the standards set by the National Registry of Paramedics, the program maintains an exceptional 6:1 student-faculty ratio to ensure individualized instruction. The comprehensive 1-year program is fully funded by Riverside County, with the grant covering all expenses, including tuition, books, uniforms, labs, parking, and exam fees. MSJC plans to start a new cohort every six months, with funding secured for four total cohorts.

James Scholl, a retired Fire Captain/Paramedic with 27 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), serves as the Program Director. Schol has been instrumental in expanding the EMT program at MSJC since joining the college in February 2023. Under his leadership, the EMT program has grown from 30 students to 87 across the San Jacinto and Menifee Valley campuses, with plans to expand to the Temecula Valley Campus in the future. The EMT program, which runs for one semester with cohorts starting in both fall and spring, serves up to 30 students per cohort. Completing the EMT program also provides students additional points toward entry into MSJC’s nursing, radiology, and diagnostic sonography programs. Approximately 50% of EMT students qualify for the Riverside County Regional Equity and Recovery Partnership (RERP) grant, which covers all expenses through October 2025.

Scholl highlights the impact of the EMT program, stating, “This program serves diverse needs and provides students the opportunity to start working immediately at a hospital, fire department, or with an ambulance service. It is a clever way for students to find out if the medical field is the right fit for them.”

Speaking on the new Paramedic Program, Scholl expressed his excitement: “Our paramedic program will fill a void in Southwest Riverside County, where there is high demand from private companies and fire departments. Upon graduation and passing the exam, our students will be making a livable wage. This is a dream come true for me. When I retired from the fire department, this was my dream—to build this program from the ground up. To say I am passionate about it is an understatement.”

For more information on the upcoming Paramedic Program or the EMT program at MSJC, visit MSJC’s official website or contact the San Jacinto Campus.

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For further information, please contact:

Andie Pasolini
Director of Public Information, Marketing, & Strategic Communications
apasolini@msjc.edu
Office: (951) 487-3060
Cell: (951) 768-4713

About Mt. San Jacinto College

Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) is a comprehensive community college serving a 1,700-square-mile area from the San Gorgonio Pass to Temecula, with campuses in San Jacinto, Menifee Valley, Temecula Valley, and San Gorgonio Pass. MSJC offers courses and programs that satisfy the transfer requirements of four-year colleges and universities.

The post Mt. San Jacinto College Launches Fully Funded Paramedic Program Starting Summer 2024 appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.