CHI Saint Joseph Health Receives National Recognition; Designated as the Only Critical Care Paramedic Recognized Program in Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 10, 2024) – CHI Saint Joseph Health’s Critical Care Paramedic Program, offered through the Emergency Medicine Center of Excellence, has been named an official “Recognized Program” by the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC), the sole agent to become board-certified in Critical Care Paramedicine. This is the highest level of certification within the paramedicine profession. CHI Saint Joseph Health’s program is the only Critical Care Paramedic (CCP-C) Recognized Program in Kentucky. The Critical Care Paramedic Program prepares candidates to take the CCP-C examination in order to become certified.

“This recognition showcases the caliber of our Critical Care Paramedic educational standards. We don’t just aim to meet Kentucky state requirements, we surpass them, ensuring those taking our course are thoroughly prepared and confident for the board certification exam,” said Anthony Houston, Ed.D., FACHE, market president, CHI Saint Joseph Health. “Our team continues to strive for improvement and efficiency as we grow this program within our Emergency Medicine Center of Excellence.”

CHI Saint Joseph Health’s program started with approval from the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medicine Services, which has allowed those who graduate from the program to obtain their state Critical Care endorsement.

To attain CCP-C certification, candidates are required to successfully complete the CCP-C examination. This certification is tailored to assess the expertise of master-level paramedics with a background in critical care paramedicine gained through experience in pre-hospital, inter-hospital, and hospital settings. The exam is specifically designed to evaluate proficiency in this specialized field of paramedicine rather than assessing entry-level paramedic knowledge. Candidates are expected to demonstrate mastery of current standards in critical care transport medicine, as well as the skills and knowledge characteristic of an experienced paramedic.

The mission of the IBSC is to improve the quality of the care delivered by paramedics and other health care professionals functioning in a specialty environment by measuring and validating their knowledge and skills.

To view all the International Board of Specialty Recognized Programs, visit www.ibscertifications.org/recognition/programs-recognized.

About CHI Saint Joseph Health

CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in CHI Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

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