One of six institutions in Kentucky to offer program
FLORENCE, Ky. (Jan. 31, 2017) — Gateway Community & Technical College Emergency Medical Services (EMS)-Paramedic program was awarded national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
The accreditation process involves meeting nationally established accreditation standards, peer review and approval by the CAAHEP Board of Directors. CAAHEP president, Thomas K. Skalko, PhD, commended Gateway for its “commitment to continuous quality improvement in education.”
Only six Kentucky institutions have programmatic accreditation. In addition to Gateway it is offered at Ashland Community and Technical College, Eastern Kentucky University, Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Services, Owensboro Community and Technical College and Somerset Community College.
The standards by which these programs are measured are developed by the professionals in the discipline and exemplify what it takes to be successful in that profession. Not all professions require this type of accreditation, but it is particularly important in health-related fields to protect the public by providing well-prepared, qualified workforce.
Programs such as EMS must be accredited or hold a Letter of Review so students who complete the program may take the National Registry certification test. Without one of these approvals, students may not test or become certified paramedics. The Gateway EMT program held the Letter of Review prior to becoming fully accredited.
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