Critical care paramedics (CCPs) represent the pinnacle of pre-hospital emergency medical care, providing sophisticated interventions to critically ill and injured patients across all age groups. These highly trained professionals possess an expanded scope of knowledge and skills compared to traditional paramedics, enabling them to perform complex medical procedures and administer advanced medications, particularly during acute interfacility transport and air medical responses.
Alt text: Advanced care paramedic team providing critical medical assistance during an emergency transport, showcasing expertise in pre-hospital care.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Advanced Care Paramedic Program is a comprehensive training initiative designed to cultivate these expert-level clinicians. The program delivers rigorous classroom instruction combined with extensive clinical experience within Vanderbilt’s renowned critical care units. Students gain invaluable hands-on training in diverse settings, including the Cardiovascular ICU, Neuro ICU, Trauma ICU, and Medical ICU, as well as through practical sessions in the Cadaver Lab. This program benefits from a strong partnership with Vanderbilt LifeFlight, a leading air medical transport service, ensuring students are learning from and alongside seasoned critical care providers.
Program Structure: Intensive and Comprehensive
The Advanced Care Paramedic Program at Vanderbilt is structured for working professionals, with classes conveniently scheduled once a week over 16 weeks, on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This format allows paramedics to continue their current employment while pursuing advanced specialization.
The curriculum is divided into two key phases:
- 14 Weeks of Didactic Coursework: These sessions are held on Vanderbilt’s main campus in Light Hall, focusing on theoretical knowledge, advanced medical concepts, and the latest best practices in critical care.
- 2 Weeks of Clinical Training: This intensive practical component takes place within various Vanderbilt critical care units and intensive care units, providing real-world experience and skill application under the supervision of experienced clinicians.
This blended approach ensures graduates are not only theoretically grounded but also clinically proficient and prepared to handle the demands of advanced pre-hospital care.
Curriculum and Clinical Experience: Real-World Immersion
The Vanderbilt Advanced Care Paramedic Program distinguishes itself through its emphasis on practical, clinical immersion. Students rotate through a variety of specialized intensive care units at Vanderbilt, gaining exposure to a wide spectrum of critical medical conditions and patient populations. These rotations include:
- Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU): Focusing on patients with complex cardiac and vascular conditions, students learn advanced cardiac monitoring, hemodynamic management, and interventions for acute heart failure and myocardial infarction.
- Neuro ICU (NICU): This rotation provides experience in managing patients with neurological emergencies, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injuries. Students learn about intracranial pressure monitoring and neurological assessments.
- Trauma ICU (TICU): Students gain expertise in the resuscitation and management of severely injured trauma patients, including polytrauma, shock management, and advanced airway techniques.
- Medical ICU (MICU): This rotation covers a broad range of medical critical care, including sepsis, respiratory failure, and multi-organ system failure, enhancing students’ ability to manage complex medical emergencies.
- Cadaver Lab: Hands-on training in the Cadaver Lab provides a unique opportunity to practice advanced procedures in a controlled environment, enhancing procedural skills and anatomical understanding.
Alt text: Medical professionals participating in a critical care simulation, demonstrating collaborative teamwork and advanced medical skills in a training scenario.
This diverse and immersive clinical experience, combined with rigorous didactic instruction, ensures Vanderbilt Advanced Care Paramedic Program graduates are exceptionally well-prepared for the challenges of advanced pre-hospital critical care. The program is officially approved by the Tennessee Board of Emergency Medical Services, and successful completion qualifies students to sit for the Tennessee state exam and pursue licensure endorsement in Kentucky, expanding their professional opportunities.
Tuition and Associated Fees
The tuition for the Advanced Care Paramedic Program is $1,000, which comprehensively covers essential learning materials and resources. This fee includes course fees, uniform, textbooks, scrubs, and parking, providing significant value for a comprehensive program.
However, candidates should be aware of additional fees that are not included in the program tuition:
- State Testing Fee: Tennessee state exam fee of $80.
- Tennessee Critical Care Paramedic Application Fee: State application fee of $90.
- IdentoGo Fingerprinting/Background Check: Required background check costing $39.15.
Furthermore, students are responsible for ensuring they have:
- Liability Insurance: To cover clinical practice.
- Required Immunizations: Including a 2-step TB skin test, MMR, varicella, Hepatitis B, Rubella, Tetanus, and annual influenza immunization (during flu season). Proof of compliance is required before commencing clinical training.
- Health Insurance: For personal health coverage during the program.
Admission Requirements: Prerequisites for Advanced Study
Admission to the Advanced Care Paramedic Program at Vanderbilt is selective, requiring candidates to meet specific prerequisites to ensure they are prepared for the rigors of advanced critical care training. Applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
- Advanced Paramedic Experience: A minimum of 2 years of advanced practice experience as a paramedic is mandatory. This ensures candidates have a solid foundation in pre-hospital emergency medical care.
- Current Certifications: Applicants must hold current certifications in:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Advanced Trauma Course: Successful completion of either Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) or International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) is required.
These stringent admission requirements ensure that all students entering the program possess the necessary foundational knowledge and experience to thrive in the advanced curriculum and clinical environment.
Application Process: Steps to Join the Program
Please note: Applications for the Advanced Care Paramedic Program are currently closed. The next cohort is scheduled to commence in Fall 2025. Detailed cohort dates, the application window, and the online application link will be posted on the program website once finalized. Prospective applicants are encouraged to regularly check the website for updated information.
A complete application package consists of:
- Online Application: A comprehensive online application form.
- Letter of Recommendation: A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s current employer, attesting to their professional capabilities and suitability for advanced training.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to participate in a critical care entrance exam and an in-person interview, both conducted on the same day. Candidates should allocate approximately 2 hours for the entrance exam and 1 hour for the interview. Failure to complete these steps will result in disqualification from the selection process.
Contact Information: Reach Out for Inquiries
For any inquiries regarding the Advanced Care Paramedic Program, please contact:
Dana Knueven, MPH, CCPM, I/C Program Director
[email protected]
Reach out to Dana for further information about the program, application updates, or any other questions you may have.
