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Health Care and Emergency Services

The Health Sciences pathway is designed to help students determine if an education in health care will meet the student’s career and personal goals. Health care professions involve direct contact, care, and communication with patients who may be healthy or ill. Students in the Health Sciences programs must have an aptitude for and knowledge of biological sciences, behavioral sciences, and mathematics. The Health Science programs are rigorous and provide an academic challenge to the student.

View Additional Pathways

FIND YOUR FUTURE BEYOND BMCC

PURSUE A PATH IN HEALTH CARE OR EMERGENCY

Degrees & Certificates

Do you have a passion for caring and seek a career in the exciting field of health care? The rewarding profession of nursing offers a vast variety of career choices in a field that will continue to have a high demand for skilled professionals in this area.

The BMCC Nursing program offers small class sizes and student support throughout the rigorous curriculum. Nursing students receive hands-on training, including high-fidelity simulation and clinical experiences with local healthcare facilities.  Registered Nurses use their knowledge, skills, and problem-solving abilities to help individuals, families, and groups with healthcare needs.

This two-year Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program prepares the student for eligibility for the National Council Licensure Examination for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Blue Mountain Community College’s Fire Science Technology Degree is designed to prepare students for a career in emergency services that covers Firefighter II, EMT Basic and Apparatus Operator.  

Coordinated by professional firefighters from the region, BMCC’s program utilizes traditional applications as well as the newest equipment to provide students the education they will need to work in the Emergency Services Industry.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

This one-year program leading to an Emergency Medical Technician certificate offers students the opportunity to prepare for careers in emergency medical services. Career opportunities that may require EMT training include: firefighter (career or volunteer), paramedic, search and rescue, critical care transport or basic life support transport provider, among others.

Certificate of Completion

The Medical Assisting program prepares students for a career as a Medical Assistant. Courses will combine cognitive learning and practice of psychomotor skills in classroom and laboratory settings. Clinical training through externships in local outpatient clinics and physician offices will allow students to observe and practice skills gained in the classroom and laboratory in actual healthcare settings. Medical Assistants are skilled professionals who have specific training to work in a physician’s office or a clinic.

Certificate of Completion

Associate of Science (A.S.) degree, a non-designated college transfer degree designed for students whose program requirements do not fit AAOT degree patterns. This degree does not always “block transfer” to Oregon colleges.

Associate of Science

The Veterinary Assistant is a 1-year certificate program designed for those who want to work in a veterinarian’s practice. The curriculum includes 3 courses in veterinary assistant technologies and a cooperative work experience component of 33 hours in the veterinarian’s practice. Students will have hands-on iinstruction in veterinary office procedures, exam room management, animal vitals, care, and restraint. 

Certificate of Completion

Further Information

Accreditation Partners:

Blue Mountain Community College proudly partners with:

Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (D.P.S.S.T)
Oregon Trail Fire Training Association (O.T.F.T.A)

Professional Accreditations

  • Associate of Applied Science/ Fire Science Technology
  • DPSST Fire Fighter I Certificate
  • DPSST Fire Fighter II Certificate
  • DPSST Fire Apparatus Operator Certificate
  • DPSST Instructor I Certificate
  • NWCG Wildland Fire Fighter
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Fire Investigation
  • NFPA Emergency Vehicle Operator

This two-year program leading to an A.A.S. degree in Fire Science technology prepares the student to be effective as a firefighter on a firefighting team in a number of different settings. Learning experiences in this program are designed to assist the student in realizing the following outcomes:

  • Firefighting knowledge and skills, including general knowledge of emergency services,
  • Demonstrated application of firefighting safety and practices,
  • Ability to perform the duties of emergency medical technician,
  • Skilled communication (writing, presentation techniques),
  • Proficiency in fire behaviors,
  • Demonstrated professional skills (problem solving, interpersonal skills, business computing, proposal development),
  • Knowledge of fire prevention and crisis intervention,
  • Knowledge and skills of apparatus operation,
  • Fire and emergency administration and investigation.

Welcome to the Fire Science Program at Blue Mountain Community College

It is our purpose at Blue Mountain Emergency Services to provide you with the best education available with a one of a kind collaborative partnership with the Oregon Trail Fire Training Association. This partnership allows the program to encompass and meet the needs of the entire area while providing students with an opportunity to earn an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science and accomplish the Oregon EMT Basic certification and all of the prerequisites necessary to continue your education as a Oregon and National Registry Paramedic.

Our collaboration and partnership with the Oregon Trail Fire Training Association is unique. This innovative approach to fire service education will elevate the training of an entire region and make Blue Mountain Community College and its partners a leader in professional training and education. As a student of this program you are an ambassador of our principles and standards. Your behavior and performance will reflect directly on you as a student and future professional and also on the instructors and quality of education that you have been provided. Your induction into the teamwork and dedication of the fire service starts the moment that you apply. Your dedication to your training and education will be a predictor of not only your success in the industry but ours as well. We do not take this obligation lightly and neither should you. The standards for completion will be difficult but certainly not impossible. We will prepare you for the rigors of not only the day to day responsibilities that are found within this service but also provide you an opportunity to train with professional firefighters, establish relationships with area departments and firefighters and gain a “foot in the door” opportunity for employment.

Our Blue Mountain staff and faculty are committed to your success both as a student and as a professional in the Fire Service. We are looking forward to your successes not only as a student but as a member of the fire service.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Gillette
Fire Science Coordinator
Blue Mountain Community College

  • Complete National AAMA Certification upon graduation
  • Complete in as little as one year
  • 90% of the program is online

Accepting Applications:

Application period, to be determined. 

Students graduating with our certificate are eligible for positions in:

  • Medical Assistant
  • Certified Medical Assistant
  • Registered Medical Assistant

Students graduating with a certificate are on a strong career path to continue with other programs in the medical fields such as nursing, medical coding or allied health management.

Application Information

This is a limited entry program. Completion of this application does not automatically guarantee you entry to the program.

This program is Title IV Aid approved.

Step 1. Become a student

If you are not a current BMCC Student, you must apply for general admission to the college first.

Program information sessions will be held every 3rd Thursday of each month beginning each August through June. Please contact Jeanine Hernandez for more information.

Step 2. Program Application

All applicants must have completed the program prerequisites: WR121, and CS120 or BA131 and program courses with C or better prior to starting program in spring term 2023.

Accepted students will be enrolled in Medical Assistant Classes MA209, MA210, & MA211.

There are a maximum of 15 spots available for each year’s cohort.

Step 3. Interview

Will be scheduled each Winter term and take place in the Health Education building, Pendleton campus.

Application Overview and Point-Based Evaluation Information

Application Process

To be determined. 

The following items MUST be included in with your application.

  • Completed Medical Assistant Admission Application
  • Work Experience forms (if applicable)
    Healthcare Work Experience Form
  • OTHER COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS: Please have your other college transcript sent to us if you would like your other college coursework to be considered. Transcripts must be issued to and sent directly to Blue Mountain Community College, Attn: Student Records in Community College in a sealed envelope or electronically from the issuing institution. Electronic transcripts will only be accepted if sent directly from the issuing institution. Note: BMCC only accepts credits from regionally accredited institutions.

Program Questions

Should you have questions about our program, please contact our Medical Assistant Program Director, Jeanine Hernandez, by phone at (541) 278-5876 or by email to jhernandez@bluecc.edu.

Staff Information

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