Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Free Education with Care Forward Colorado
Care Foward Colorado provides zero-cost short term healthcare education and training at Red Rocks Community College. In one year or less you can learn the knowledge and skills to become an emergency medical services professional as well as other in demand health care careers. Healthcare careers are some of the fastest growing careers both in Colorado and nationally, with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a large need for people in these careers. Once you earn your initial certificate you can continue your training at Red Rocks Community College to add to your skill set and licensure and qualify for higher paying jobs.
How Does it Work?
Starting in Fall 2022 Students who enroll in eligible programs, such as the EMT and Advanced EMT program, will be reimbursed for tuition, fees, and materials through 2024. In addition to your education and training you will have the opportunity to gain employment in the EMS field through an apprenticeship program while you continue your education.
Ready to Get Started?
See the information below to register for EMS courses and programs, and contact the financial aid office to see of you qualify and for more information about the Care Forward Colorado program.
To review other programs that are eligible for the Care Forward Colorado program please visit the the Red Rocks Care Forward Colorado webpage.
Registering for EMS Courses and Programs
Registration for spring 2023 courses will open on November 7th, 2022
Information about each of our programs, as well as links to all documents referenced below, can be found by visiting the Information Sheets link of the left hand side of this page. A schedule of courses being offered each semester can also be found on that page.
Registration for the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course (EMS 1015) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Refresher course (EMS 1026) are open enrollment. Simply log in to your student account on "The Rock" and register for these courses online.
Registration for the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program is open enrollment. Simply log into your student account on "The Rock" and register for EMS 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, and 1070. Please pay close attention to the items that are required on the first day of the course including the CPR requirement, background check and urinalysis, and physical exam. If you do not have an American Heart Association BLS Provider card that will be current through the end of the semester please enroll in a section of HPR 1011 that will complete before the drop date of the semester. Information for all the requirements can be found in the EMS Program Information Packet.
Registration for the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Program requires permission of a faculty member or college advisor. To enroll in the AEMT program please meet with a college advisor, or faculty member, on campus or electronically. Please keep in mind that during registration the advisors, and faculty, have very full schedules, so the preferred initial contact method is via e-mail. Before contacting an advisor or faculty member please review the EMS Program Information Packet.
Registration for the third and fourth semester courses require permission of a EMS faculty member. Please be sure you have reviewed the Program Information Packet.
Contact Information
To set up an appointment with an advisor please visit the Advising Webpage.
For more information regarding the Red Rocks EMS Program, or to set up an individual advising appointment with a faculty member, please visit our contact information page E-mail is always the preferred initial contact method as we are often in class or meeting with students.
Paramedic Agreement with St. Anthony's Hospital
The RRCC paramedic program has an articulation agreement with St. Anthony’s Hospital. Students need to apply and be accepted into the St. Anthony’s Paramedic Program in order to complete the Paramedic AAS degree. If a student has completed thier paramedic certification at another hospital, please contact Robert Vroman for other degree options. Students who have applied to a Paramedic program, but were not accepted, should contact Robert Vroman to discuss options to prepare for future Paramedic program applications.
Red Rocks Community College offers the EMT, Advanced EMT and Paramedic certificates
Please click here to view about these certificates.
Red Rocks Community College offers several Associates Degree options in Emergency Medicine
Please click here to view about these degrees.
Job Prospects and Income
With the rapid growth in the Denver area comes the need for expanded emergency services. While EMT is a minimum requirement for hiring at most fire departments and ambulance services, competition is high for these jobs. Certifications above EMT such as Advanced EMT, Paramedic and Associates Degrees are highly recommended to be a successful candidate.
Salaries for EMS providers vary widely based on the level of certification and education an individual has, as well as the type of service they work for. The salary for an EMT can range from $22,000 per year to $61,000 per year. The salary for a paramedic can range from $30,000 - $85,000 per year. Private EMS agencies tend to have lower pay rates and lower entry requirments, while third service agencies and fire departments tend to have higher pay rates as well as higher entry requirements, including a minimum number of college credits or an associate's degree to even apply.
The RRCC Emergency Medical Services program has been approved by:
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246
Contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
