Skills Certificate - Community/ Critical Care Paramedicine
Program Overview
The Community and Critical Care Paramedicine Skills Certificate is designed for licensed paramedics who want to expand their clinical knowledge and prepare for advanced roles within today's healthcare system. This one-semester program develops advanced competencies in patient assessment, evidence-based decision-making, chronic disease management, critical care transport, and interdisciplinary healthcare collaboration.
Students learn to provide high-quality care across the healthcare continuum—from preventive and community-based services that reduce hospital utilization to the management and transport of critically ill patients requiring advanced interventions. The curriculum combines online instruction, hands-on laboratory experiences, and supervised clinical training to prepare graduates for expanded practice in both rural and urban healthcare settings.
Upon successful completion, students earn the Community and Critical Care Paramedicine Skills Certificate and are eligible to pursue specialty certification examinations through the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC), including Community Paramedic Certified (CP-C), Critical Care Paramedic Certified (CCP-C), and Flight Paramedic Certified (FP-C).
Program Mission
The mission of Great Basin College's Community and Critical Care Paramedicine Skills Certificate is to provide quality education that prepares licensed paramedics for advanced practice in community paramedicine, critical care transport, and other specialized healthcare settings, improving healthcare in the communities they serve.
Program Highlights
- Complete the certificate in one semester
- 11 total credits
- Three specialized EMS courses
- Hybrid lecture format with in-person laboratory instruction
- 100 hours of supervised clinical experience
- Preparation for nationally recognized specialty certifications
- Designed specifically for practicing paramedics
What You'll Learn
Community Paramedicine
Community Paramedicine expands the traditional role of paramedics by providing preventive, post-acute, and chronic disease management services outside the emergency department. Working collaboratively with physicians, hospitals, home health agencies, behavioral health providers, and community organizations, community paramedics improve access to healthcare while helping patients remain safely in their homes.
Graduates learn to:
- Manage chronic medical conditions
- Conduct comprehensive home assessments
- Coordinate care with healthcare providers
- Connect patients with community resources
- Reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and hospital readmissions
- Improve health outcomes through preventive care
In Nevada, Community Paramedicine services are defined under NRS 450B.0615 and are provided by licensed EMS professionals working within approved Community Paramedicine programs.
Critical Care Paramedicine
Critical Care Paramedics provide advanced care for critically ill and injured patients during interfacility transport and specialty transport operations. This role bridges the gap between traditional prehospital care and intensive care medicine.
Students develop advanced knowledge in:
- Mechanical ventilation
- Advanced airway management
- Hemodynamic monitoring
- Critical care pharmacology
- Ventilator management
- Trauma and medical critical care
- Interfacility and specialty transport
- Clinical decision-making in high-acuity environments
Applicants must:
- Hold current Nevada Paramedic licensure and/or National Registry (NREMT) Paramedic certification
- Maintain current American Heart Association BLS Provider certification
- Meet immunization requirements
- Complete a background check and drug screening
Prepares paramedics for expanded practice within Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) and Community Paramedicine programs. Topics include chronic disease management, preventive care, patient navigation, community resource coordination, interdisciplinary collaboration, and care of vulnerable populations. Includes laboratory instruction and clinical experience.
Builds advanced assessment and clinical decision-making skills using evidence-based practices from AMLS, GEMS, PTEP, EPC, and neonatal resuscitation. Students strengthen communication, leadership, and patient management skills through case-based learning and simulation.
Develops advanced knowledge in critical care transport, including physiology, mechanical ventilation, pharmacology, sedation, hemodynamic monitoring, and management of critically ill patients. Includes laboratory and clinical experiences designed to prepare students for specialty certification.
Upon successful completion of the Community and Critical Care Paramedic Skills Certificate, students will be able to:
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Integrate advanced clinical assessment and evidence-based practices to manage complex medical, behavioral, and geriatric emergencies.
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Apply community health principles and chronic disease management strategies to improve patient outcomes in non-emergent and home-based care environments.
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Demonstrate effective interprofessional communication and coordination with healthcare and social service partners to promote continuity of care.
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Manage the care of critically ill or injured patients requiring advanced monitoring, airway management, and pharmacologic interventions during transport.
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Exhibit professional leadership, ethical practice, and cultural competence in community and critical care settings.
Graduates are prepared to earn nationally recognized certifications, including:
- Community Paramedic Certified (CP-C)
- Critical Care Paramedic Certified (CCP-C)
- Flight Paramedic Certified (FP-C)
Students also earn applicable NAEMT course certifications incorporated throughout the curriculum.
Graduates are prepared for careers in:
- Community Paramedicine
- Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH)
- Critical Care Transport
- Flight Programs
- Hospital-based Mobile Healthcare
- Rural Healthcare Systems
- Specialty Transport Services
- Population Health and Care Coordination
Enroll Today
Advance your paramedic career with specialized education that prepares you for the future of EMS. The Community and Critical Care Paramedicine Skills Certificate at Great Basin College provides the advanced knowledge, clinical experience, and nationally recognized preparation needed to deliver exceptional patient care across community, critical care, and transport settings.
Contact
Questions about the Community and Critical Care Paramedic Skills Certificate can be
directed to the School of Health Sciences & Behavioral Health at 775-327-2317 or hsbh@gbcnv.edu
To schedule an advisement meeting with the EMS Program Director, please click on this link and select a time that works best for you:
Jamie Carlson, MS, NRP, EMS Program Director | Make an appointment
Start your application today.
