George E. Moerkirk Emergency Medicine Institute

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The paramedic program at the Emergency Medicine Institute of Lehigh Valley Health Network was founded by Dr. George E. Moerkirk in 1976. Since that time, the program has become more advanced with didactic classroom lectures, workshops, and hands on practical labs using human patient simulators. This program will provide ACLS, PALS, and PHTLS certifications as well as 12 lead EKG interpretation training. In addition, clinical and field rotations are required. 

Earn your NREMT-P Certification through EMI and LCCC! Questions: contact Tom Rothrock, Program Director, (484) 884-0051 or Thomas.Rothrock@lvhn.org.

Clinical Rotations

Enhanced clinical rotations at Lehigh Valley Health Network and Sacred Heart Hospital allow for education and practice in patient assessments, medication administration, and airway management.

Field Internships

Opportunities to put clinical practice and didactic education into action under the close supervision of experienced paramedics.

Requirements

• Current PA EMT certification (1 year of active experience preferred)
• High School Diploma or GED
• Anatomy and Physiology is a prerequisite (class is held in September of each year)
  • If you have a college level A&P, semester 1 & 2, within the last 5 years and had a “C” or better, you can “test out” of this class
• Completed Paramedic Application
• Complete pre-entrance exams
• 30-40 spare hours to devote to the program

Class hours

The paramedic program runs from January to December of each year. Class is Monday and Wednesday evenings from 1830-2200 hrs with one or two Saturdays or Sundays per month. The Anatomy and Physiology class starts in September each year.

Accreditation

The Lehigh Valley Health Network Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).” 

To contact CAAHEP or COAEMSP:

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354
www.caahep.org 

COAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway
Rowlett, TX 75088 
Phone: 214.703.8445
Fax: 214.703.8992
www.coaemsp.org" 

Disclosures

The following information is required by COAEMSP to be disclosed.

2020 National Registry Outcomes (As of 5/15/2022)

• Retention: Class of 2020 started with 23; 2 dropped for personal reasons; 21/23 for a retention rate of 91.3 %
• Written Pass Rate: 18/21 passed- 85.7 pass rate, three are waiting to retest
• Practical Pass Rate: 17/18 passed on first attempt- 94% pass rate; one person passed on subsequent attempt- all have passed
• Positive Job Placement: 85.7%; only 18/21 are paramedics as of this time

2019 National Registry Outcomes (As of 5/1/2021)

• Retention: Class of 2019 started with 22; 3 dropped for personal reasons, 1 person died; 19/23 for a retention rate of 81.8%
• Written Pass Rate: 18/18 passed- 100 % pass rate
• Practical Pass Rate: 17/18 passed on first attempt- 94% pass rate; one person passed on subsequent attempt- all have passed
• Positive Job Placement: 100%

2018 National Registry Outcomes

• Retention: Class of 2018 started with 23, finished with 20- two dropped for personal reasons, one for academic issue. Retention of 87%. Threshold per accreditation is 70 %.
• Written Pass Rate: 18/19 passed- 94.7% pass rate; 1 failed written did not retest, one did not take the written
• Practical Pass Rate: 19/20 passed- 95% pass rate, one did not take the retest
• Positive Job Placement: 18/18 that are paramedics have positive job placement, there are two that did not complete the testing process, so they cannot be considered paramedics at this time