EMSV2065 Paramedic Care of Mental Health Patients
This course provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the assessment and care of patients experiencing mental health challenges across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on understanding common psychiatric disorders, recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness, and applying therapeutic communication techniques to support patient safety, dignity, and recovery.
Prerequisite
Qualifying score on reading assessment test or
ENGL0921
Course Requirements and Evaluation
Refer to Course Syllabus for detailed information regarding the requirements and evaluation standards for this course. The Course Syllabus will be distributed the first week of the course.
Learning Outcomes
The following outcomes will be addressed in the course:
Explain the role of the community paramedic in managing mental health conditions in non-emergent and home-based settings
Identify common mental health disorders encountered in community paramedicine, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and substance use disorders
Recognize early warning signs of mental health deterioration and behavioral crisis
Differentiate mental health presentations from medical, neurological, or substance-related conditions
Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments, including mental status examinations and psychosocial evaluations
Assess suicide risk, self-harm potential, and safety concerns within scope of practice
Apply trauma-informed and patient-centered communication techniques during mental health encounters
Utilize verbal de-escalation strategies to manage agitation, anxiety, and emotional distress
Preserve patient dignity, autonomy, and cultural sensitivity during mental health care interactions
Determine appropriate care pathways, including treatment at home, referral, or transport
Coordinate care with behavioral health providers, crisis response teams, primary care, and social services
Navigate legal and ethical considerations related to consent, decision-making capacity, involuntary holds, and patient rights
Advocate for patient access to appropriate mental health and community resources
Document mental health assessments, interventions, and referrals accurately to support continuity of care
Support patients and caregivers through education, reassurance, and follow-up planning
Recognize personal stress, compassion fatigue, and moral distress related to mental health care delivery
Implement self-care and resilience strategies to support long-term practice in community paramedicine
Text and References
A list of textbooks required for this course is available at the
campus store and in eServices.
Course Scheduling
The scheduled hours of instruction include sixteen hours for each lecture credit, thirty-two hours for each lab credit, and forty hours for each credit of supervised occupational experience (SOE). Lecture credit may include formal or impromptu lectures, demonstrations, or discussions with the entire class or with small groups or individuals. Refer to the Course Credits section of this course outline for the credit breakdown.
Accommodations Statement
Access Services - Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified students with documented disabilities. Upon attending an intake meeting with Access Services, qualified students will receive a letter listing the approved accommodations that they may provide to their instructors. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations, contact HTC Access Services at
AccessServices@hennepintech.edu or
https://hennepintech.edu/current-students/access-services/index.html.
Campus
Brooklyn Park Campus and Eden Prairie Campus: 952-995-1300
Credit Details