News and Updates

The Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA) Center for Prehospital Education is pleased to announce that 12 students successfully completed the organization’s 1-year paramedic program. The program builds on the existing knowledge and skills of an advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT). To complete the program, students must master advanced assessment techniques, complex emergency procedures and effective patient interactions.

“These students have worked incredibly hard and made sacrifices to earn the distinction of being a paramedic,” said Adam Heinz, Executive Director of Integrated Health, REMSA. “These medical professionals will make important contributions and have shown a commitment to advancing the profession of emergency medical services and mobile healthcare. We are proud to count them among the graduates of REMSA’s education program.”

In addition, we are proud to announce that all 12 paramedic students passed the National Registry of Emergency Medical Services Paramedic Exam on their first try. This is compared to the national average first-time pass rate of 76 percent and 86 percent overall. The exam is a two-part test involving a hands-on exam which is completed during the last week of class, as well as a cognitive online exam.

These students are now eligible to work on an ambulance as a nationally registered paramedic. Ninety percent of students stay on to work at REMSA as paramedics, ensuring that northern Nevada has reliable, quality EMS care in the region.

REMSA’s paramedic program includes 602 didactic/lecture hours, 216 hours of clinical site experience, which must take place in an emergency department, operating room, intensive care unit, urgent care facility, labor and delivery department, etc. and 480 hours on an ambulance as a functioning entry-level paramedic. Program participants develop their skills related to advanced respiratory, cardiac, medical and trauma care, EMS operations, pediatric and obstetric patient/scene assessments, and advanced pharmacologic instruction. Advanced skills include emergency airway interventions and intravenous (IV) medication administration.

REMSA’s paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs through the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions.

Help us congratulate the newest class of paramedics: Kolby Arendse, Chandler Curry, Matthew Gallagher, Dominic Hampton, Tyler Johnson, James Lawrence, Ian Lopez, Don Maland, Melissa McFarland, Leslie Parwan, Marc Peterson and Beau Retzer.