August 16, 2019
Laurel Ridge’s EMS – Paramedic Program has been granted continuing accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Board of Directors. The board acted upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions.
Through the accreditation process, which includes a thorough review of the program, curriculum, resources, faculty and staff, as well as a site visit, the EMS – Paramedic program at Laurel Ridge was determined to be in substantial compliance with the nationally-approved standards and guidelines for educational programs as established by the EMS – paramedic profession.
“This achievement is really a testament to the commitment of the EMS faculty and Laurel Ridge,” says Associate Professor of EMS Education Vincent McGregor. “We first received this national accreditation in 2014.”
The accreditation is reviewed every five years.
Lord Fairfax’s paramedic program has been operating since 2010, and each year about seven or eight students complete the paramedic curriculum and are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians National Paramedic Certification exam.
The college first began offering EMS education in 2005.
Before entering the paramedic program, a student must be EMT-certified. Laurel Ridge offers an EMT certification course. Find out more at www.laurelridge.edu/ems.
CAAHEP accredits more than 2,200 educational programs that prepare health professionals in 32 different disciplines. Accreditation is one step in a process that is meant to protect the public and ensure a supply of qualified health care professionals. For more information about CAAHEP and accreditation, visit www.caahep.org .
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.