Education plays a crucial role in the development of first responders, EMTs and paramedics. CHEMS Academy serves students with comprehensive courses taught by highly-experienced, practicing professionals.
Christian Hospital EMS (CHEMS) Academy provides a challenging and rewarding curriculum for those who want to begin, refresh or advance their careers the EMS field. The Academy offers a wide selection of courses such as 12-lead EKG training and many NAEMT courses, in addition to EMT and paramedic programs.
CHEMS Academy is focused on equipping students with the knowledge and resources needed to be successful on the job. Our instructors are supportive, attentive and passionate about sharing their own real-world knowledge with students. Teaching extends beyond the classroom with one-on-one tutoring and group study sessions. And unlike other programs, all of the instructors at CHEMS Academy are active paramedics.
EMS Academy registration
For registration and tuition information, email [email protected] or call 314-653-5778
Christian Hospital EMS Academy course descriptions
EMT program
- The Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) course is designed for students interested in providing patient care to their community. This is the entry-level course required to work on an ambulance. The course consists of classroom hours as well as hands-on skills to prepare the student for work as an EMT. Topics include patient assessment, vital signs, establishing an airway, bleeding control, wound care, splinting, CPR, and more.
- In 2023, the Christian Hospital EMS (CHEMS) Academy EMT Program transformed to an Earn While You Learn course, where potential students can apply for a position as a student EMT. Select candidates are hired into a full-time, entry-level position where their job is to attend class. Qualified applicants must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED/HiSET). Because this is a full-time position, all students are eligible for BJC HealthCare tuition assistance, which covers the cost of the class and offers the opportunity to work for BJC upon completion. Students who receive BJC tuition assistance and do not fulfill the one-year employment obligation must pay back tuition fees.
- CHEMS Academy holds three EMT classes per year in January, May, and September. Classes meet Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., for eight weeks, followed by three weeks of clinicals. After completing the course, students must pass NREMT exams and obtain their Missouri EMT-B license. They will then transfer to an EMT role with Christian Hospital EMS.
- If you are interested in the CHEMS Academy Earn While You Learn EMT Program, contact us and request information at [email protected]
EMT Refresher
- The EMT—Basic Refresher course is designed to ensure continued competency and adherence to national and state standards as well as offer continuing education units (CEUs) needed for recertification. This course covers core topics like medical and trauma emergencies, airway management, and operations, and includes the review and practice of hands-on skills.
- 24 hours
- Prerequisites: Current EMT-B license
- Total cost: $300
Paramedic program
- The CHEMS Paramedic Program is a student-focused course that emphasizes hands-on learning. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
- There are two classes per year. Both are 12 months of classroom instruction with an additional five months to complete clinical requirements. Each class is split into two courses: Paramedic 1 and Paramedic 2. The spring class starts in February and meets on Mondays and Wednesdays. The fall class starts in August and meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Clinicals run concurrently with the didactic portion of the program and are scheduled outside of classroom hours. Students must complete 120 hours (ten 12-hour shifts) in the Emergency Department by the end of Paramedic 1. The remaining hospital and field clinicals are resumed with Paramedic 2. Students must complete a minimum of 500 hours before advancing to the Capstone Field Internship (Team Leads).
Paramedic 1
- Part one of a two-semester program that spans a year.
- The course begins with an overview of anatomy and physiology, followed by an introduction to paramedic science. Topics covered include EMS systems, public health, pharmacology, medication administration, airway management, and more. This course incorporates in-depth skills lab time.
- Prerequisites: Current state EMT license and CPR certification
- Total cost: $6,000
- A nonrefundable $200 deposit is due at the time of registration to confirm enrollment. This deposit is applied in full toward the total cost of the course.
Paramedic 2
- Part two of a two-semester program that spans a year.
- This course focuses on the treatment of medical and traumatic emergencies. Topics include pathophysiology, cardiology, pulmonology, internal medicine, pediatrics, and more. Students will participate in ACLS, AMLS, EPC, PALS, and PHTLS certifications as part of the curriculum.
- Prerequisites: Pass Paramedic 1
- Total cost: $6,000
Paramedic Refresher
- The Paramedic Refresher course is for current paramedics (48 CEUs upon course completion) and paramedics in training who plan to take the National Registry exam. This course prepares individuals for the National Registry (NR) exam by providing 40 hours of classroom paramedic training and eight hours of hands-on skills. The course can also be taken to obtain your mandatory and flexible core hours needed to recertify your NR certification or state paramedic license.
- 48 hours
- Prerequisites: Completion of a paramedic course
- Total cost: $600
Instructor Methodology
- The Instructor Methodology course is designed to teach the art and science behind becoming an EMS instructor. This course follows the National Standard Curriculum and is designed for EMS professionals interested in developing advanced knowledge into become a competent instructor. The course dives into information on instructor roles and responsibilities, the adult learner, creating an effective learning environment, developing and following objectives, instructional strategies and methods, and more. After course completion, students receive a 40-hour Lead Instructor Certificate recognized by Missouri.
- 40 hours
- Prerequisites: Current EMT-B, AEMT, or paramedic license; letter of recommendation from an EMS educator or leadership.
- Total cost: $500
Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS)
- Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) is the gold standard of education for emergency medical assessment and treatment. Endorsed by the National Association of EMS Physicians, AMLS emphasizes the use of the AMLS Assessment Pathway, a systematic tool for assessing and managing common medical conditions with urgent accuracy. Students learn to recognize and manage common medical crises through realistic, case-based scenarios that challenge students to apply their knowledge to highly critical patients. The course emphasizes the use of scene size-up, history, interactive group discussion on potential treatment strategies, and physical exam to systematically rule out and consider possibilities and probabilities in treating patients’ medical crises. AMLS is accredited by CAPCE and recognized by NREMT.
- 16 Hours
- Prerequisites: AMLS is appropriate for EMTs, AEMTs, paramedics, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse anesthetists, and physicians
- Total Cost: $300
Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC)
- Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC) focuses on critical pediatric physiology, illnesses, injuries, and interventions to help EMS practitioners provide the best treatment for sick and injured children in the field. The course stresses critical thinking skills to help practitioners make the best decisions for young patients. Topics covered include pathophysiology of pediatric emergencies, application of the Pediatric Assessment Triangle for rapid and accurate assessment of pediatric patients, airway management, cardiac emergencies, newborn resuscitation, and much more. EPC is accredited by CAPCE and recognized by NREMT.
- 16 hours
- Prerequisites: EPC is appropriate for EMTs, paramedics, emergency medical responders, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians
Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
- Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) is recognized around the world as the leading continuing education program for prehospital emergency trauma care. PHTLS is based on a philosophy stressing the treatment of the multi-system trauma patient as a unique entity with specific needs. PHTLS promotes critical thinking as the foundation for providing quality care and covers topics including scene assessment, patient assessment, hemorrhage control, airway management, circulation, and shock. PHTLS is accredited by CAPCE and recognized by NREMT.
- 16 hours
- Prerequisites: PHTLS is appropriate for EMTs, paramedics, nurses, physician assistants, physicians, and other prehospital practitioners
- Total Cost: $300
Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC)
- Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) teaches EMS practitioners and other prehospital providers how to respond to and care for patients in a civilian tactical environment. The course is designed to decrease preventable deaths in a tactical situation by covering the following topics: hemorrhage control, the MARCH assessment, surgical airway control, needle decompression, strategies for treating wounded responders in threatening environments, techniques for dragging and carrying victims to safety, and much more. This course is accredited by CAPCE and recognized by NREMT.
- 16 hours
- Prerequisites: None
- Total Cost: $300
Instructors
Program Director
Ian Breden, BS, CCEMTP
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Clinical Experience:
25 years of EMS experience as an EMT
Paramedic, Operations Supervisor and EMS Educator
Certifications:
- Missouri Paramedic
- Missouri Lead Instructor
- NAEMSE Instructor Level 1 & 2
- AHA Instructor
- NAEMT Instructor / Coordinator
NIMS/ICS Training: IS-100, 200, 700
Phone: 314-681-8003
Email: [email protected]
Clinical Coordinator
Joshua Malson, FP-C, CP, NRP
Education: Critical Care Paramedic
Clinical Experience:
19 years of EMS experience as an EMT
Paramedic, Operations Supervisor and EMS Educator
Certifications:
- Missouri Community Paramedic
- Certified Flight Paramedic
- Missouri Lead Instructor
- AHA Instructor
NIMS/ICS Training: IS-100, 200, 700
Phone: 314-681-8003
Email: [email protected]
EMT Instructor
Gina LeRouxWende, BS, CCEMT-P
Education: Bachelor of Science in Paramedicine
Clinical Experience:
- 10 years of ER experience as an EMT
- 15 years of EMS experience as an EMT, Paramedic, and EMS Educator
Certifications:
- Missouri Community Paramedic
- Missouri Lead Instructor
- NAEMSE Instructor Level 1 & 2
- AHA Training Center Faculty
- NAEMT Instructor / Coordinator
NIMS/ICS Training: IS-100,200,500,700,800,1000, Hazmat
Email: [email protected]
Instructor
Malarie Williamson, AAS, NRP
Education: Associate of Applied Science in Paramedicine
Clinical Experience:
- 9 years of EMS experience as an EMT and Paramedic
Certifications:
- Missouri and Illinois Paramedic
- Illinois Lead Instructor
- Missouri Lead Instructor
- AHA Instructor
- NAEMT Instructor
NIMS/ICS Training: IS-100, 200, 700, 800
Email: [email protected]
Lab Instructor
Leah Kneer, EMT-P
Education: Paramedic
Clinical Experience:
- 11 years of EMS experience as an EMT and Paramedic
Certifications:
- Missouri Paramedic
- Missouri Lead Instructor
- AHA Instructor
- NAEMT Instructor
NIMS/ICS Training: IS-100, 200, 700
Email: [email protected]
Instructor
Bryce Schlinder, EMT-T/P, FP-C
Education: Critical Care Paramedic
Clinical Experience:
- 18 years of EMS experience as an EMT, Paramedic, and Operations Supervisor
Certifications:
- Missouri Paramedic
- Certified Flight Paramedic
- Missouri Lead Instructor
NIMS/ICS Training: IS-100, 100C, 100LE, 200, 700
Email: [email protected]
Instructor
Zach Kalevik, NRP
Clinical Experience:
- 7 years of EMS experience as an EMT and Paramedic
Certifications:
- Missouri Paramedic
- Missouri Lead Instructor
- AHA Instructor
NIMS/ICS Training: IS-100, 200, 700, 800
Email: [email protected]
Accreditation
The Christian Hospital EMS Academy Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs:
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709,
Seminole, FL 33775
www.caahep.org
Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions:
8301 Lakeview Parkway
Suite 111-312
Rowlett TX 75088
www.coaemsp.org
Christian Hospital EMS Academy is an approved training entity through the Missouri Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
Bureau of Emergency Medical Services:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
https://health.mo.gov/safety/ems/
CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic educational programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Paramedic educational programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2024.
| Outcome | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Retention | 88% | 89% | 80% | 90% |
| NREMT or State cognitive exam | 80% | 94% | 87% | 74% |
| Placement | 80% | 94% | 81% | 74% |