DES MOINES, Iowa, July 13, 2020 — Mercy College of Health Sciences has partnered with Southwestern Community College (SWCC) to offer a paramedic program in Creston, Iowa, starting this fall. Through this partnership, SWCC students can remain in Creston and conveniently earn a Mercy College of Health Sciences Paramedic Certificate in just one year.
This expansion of Mercy College’s paramedic program provides more flexible options for students to access quality healthcare education. The program is an online-hybrid format, with online lectures and face-to-face skills labs offered during evenings and weekends at the SWW Creston campus.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for folks in the Creston area. We want to educate everyone who is interested in becoming a paramedic, and sometimes that can be difficult in rural areas,” said Cheryl Blazek, Mercy College Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program chair. “Our partnership with SWCC and Greater Regional Health makes it extremely convenient for more students to have this chance.”
In 2019, Mercy College also announced a Paramedic to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pathway by recognizing common content areas between the two professions and providing course credit for these commonalities. Students would be eligible to enroll in this BSN track upon completion of the paramedic certificate.
Mercy College’s paramedic program was the first nationally accredited paramedic program in Iowa and prepares students in a variety of hospital, clinic, and ambulance service-based care settings. Mercy College has provided EMS education in central Iowa for over 30 years and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Mercy College is enrolling now for the paramedic program in both Creston and Des Moines. Classes start September 8.
About Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences is the only private Catholic college in central Iowa and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Located in downtown Des Moines, Mercy College prepares graduates for service and leadership in the healthcare community with a wide range of bachelor, associate, and certificate programs. Visit www.mchs.edu or call (515) 643-3180 to learn how you can start Charting Your Course.
