Procedure for Entering the EMT-Paramedic Program

Students new to Waubonsee:

All students:

  • Confirm Registration and Records has current primary living address. Confirm status as Certificate OR Degree seeking student for EMT-Paramedic.
  • Students are encouraged to meet with the Academic Advising to with questions about course schedules ahead of time. EMT-Paramedic courses are offered once a year in cohort format and must be completed in the prescribed sequence. Cohorts begin annually in January. Applications are available annually in June.
  • Submit official high school and any college/university/vocational school transcripts to Registration and Records before applying to the program.
  • Enrollment in Paramedic courses is contingent on documentation of a current EMT-Basic license. Students must include license documentation with application materials. 
  • Review the EMT-Paramedic Application Packet and return the required application with supporting documents per enclosed instructions by required deadline to begin the program in January 2024. Applicants will be notified of their tentative acceptance status in October. For more information visit Southern Fox Valley EMS. 
  • Complete the required pre-entrance testing. After an initial review, successful applicants will receive an email with a testing ticket and instructions for taking the Paramedic Entrance Exam. A minimum score 75% is required for final program acceptance. 

Completing the EMT-Paramedic Program

Students must complete all EMT courses, clinicals, and internships/field experiences in sequence with a grade of C or higher to successfully complete the program and be eligible for certification exams. Read the EMT-Paramedic Student Handbook.

Clinical Pre-Entrance Requirements

Clinical hours are mandatory to complete the program. In order to attend clinicals, students are required to complete the following (full details provided upon program acceptance);

  • Documentation of immunizations (including COVID-19, Influenza, HEP-B).  
  • NOTE: COVID-19 vaccination is required by hospital partners. All students must be, or plan to be, FULLY VACCINATED prior to the first clinical day. NO testing exceptions.
  • 2-step TB skin test OR QuantiFERON TB Gold blood test
  • Illinois Background Check
  • Drug screen
  • Current Health Insurance
  • Professional Liability Insurance
  • Medical Clearance signed by physician
  • Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers

Becoming Certified

Students who received a Certificate of Achievement or Associates in Applied Science (AAS) in EMT-Paramedic are prepared to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician Examination. Examination fees are student responsibility. Instructions and important forms will be distributed at the end of program coursework.

Questions about the process should be directed to course instructors and Program Director Stephanie Hansen at stephanie.hanson@nm.org.

Contacts and Questions

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General questions not addressed here or by an advisor can be directed to the Office of Health Professions and Public Service via: HPPS@waubonsee.edu.

Direct any questions regarding the Paramedic Training Program to:

Daniel Franklin
Paramedic Program Coordinator
(630) 938-8463
Daniel.franklin@nm.org