Program: 68160

The goal of the Paramedic Certificate Program is to graduate students who have demonstrated the necessary knowledge, technical skill, and professional attitude and behavior to implement safe, effective, and appropriate care as an entry-level Paramedic.

A paramedic is the team leader of the Emergency Medical Services System team, delivering out-of-hospital emergency care under the direction of an emergency physician. Paramedics direct and manage patient care aspects of the Emergency Response Team. This team is commonly composed of public safety and community service agency personnel that respond to traffic accidents, fires, explosions, cave-ins, emergency rescue calls, and other life-threatening situations. The paramedic’s primary responsibilities are to safely care for victims of accidents or sudden illness by stabilization of the patient’s condition using advanced life support skills and equipment, and also safely transporting the patient to the hospital emergency department. The paramedic performs these duties, in various settings, in conjunction with other emergency service providers, including law enforcement and fire department personnel. Paramedics also assist in patient care in hospitals and doctors’ offices, with specific instruction and supervision. The actions of a paramedic can often mean the difference between patient survival or patient death. Successful completion of the prescribed courses and the awarding of a certificate of completion will provide eligibility to take the State of Florida Paramedic Examination or the National Registry Examination for certification.

Program Description

The Paramedic Program is a three-semester sequence consisting of four components each semester: lecture, lab, hospital clinical, and EMS clinical. Students are expected to demonstrate competency in advanced emergency medical care skills and to display a professional attitude. This is a limited admission certificate program that requires that each applicant first be admitted to the College and meet pre-admission requirements. Applicants with the best qualifications are selected during the summer of each year to begin work in the fall term. Admission requires current certification as a State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician. This is an intensive 1,200 contact-hour program that requires careful planning of school, work, and home schedules to accomplish. During the hospital/field phase, the student will use a special calendar, which is not identical with the College’s published calendar. Students must attend program activities as assigned. Students are advised to contact the Program Director for additional information and scheduling details. The program is offered in the daytime on an alternating (week-to-week) schedule to accommodate students who work a 24-on, 48-off work schedule. Students who score below the required levels on state-mandated placement tests in English, reading, and mathematics must enroll in and complete the appropriate college preparatory course(s) before being admitted to the program.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professional.

Admission Criteria

The following are minimum requirements for consideration for admission to the Paramedic Certificate Program. Applicants are admitted once a year and are limited to individuals selected by a selection committee.

1. Students must gain acceptance to Polk State College as credit-seeking students, with all required admission documents on file.
2. At the time of application and admission to the Paramedic program, students must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher.
3. Students must complete all college preparatory courses in reading and writing, as well as MAT 0012 , if necessary.
4. Students must complete EMS 2010  or BSC 1084C  or BSC 2085C  and BSC 2086C .
5. Students must hold State of Florida EMT certification.
6. Students must submit a complete and accurate application for the Paramedic Certificate program to Student Services by the application deadline for the incoming fall class.

Applications are available in Student Services. Applications must contain all the above listed requirements in order to be sent to the selection committee. Therefore, it is imperative that a student wishing to be considered for a position in the Paramedic Program meet with the Program Director to assure compliance with the above requirements.

Additional Program Requirements

Additional requirements that are completed after the selection process has been finalized include:

1. Physical examination and essential functions
2. Immunizations and communicable disease screenings
3. Current CPR certification (ARC or AHA)

The Program Director will provide information regarding the completion of these additional admission requirements with the acceptance letter.

Selection Criteria

Admission to the Paramedic Certificate Program is based on the following criteria, with maximum points for each criterion indicated:

1. The evaluation of a student’s GPA in prerequisite courses is worth 30 points.
2. The evaluation of a student’s GPA in the AS Degree general education courses (indicated below) that have been completed is worth 10 points.
   
   
   ENC 1101 College Composition I
    
   
   HUM 2020 Introduction to Humanities
    
   
   PSY 2012 General Psychology
     
    
3. The student interview with the selection committee is worth 40 points.
4. A student’s demonstrated experience in EMS is worth 20 points. Experience in EMS may be obtained as a volunteer or employee. The hours must be documented and will be verified by the Program Director.

Selection Process

1. The selection committee selects candidates for program admission based on the total points earned in the selection criteria, as indicated above.
2. The most qualified applicants are selected.
3. When selected for a position in the Paramedic Program, the applicant must enter at the designated time or lose his/her position. Positions that are unclaimed will be given to alternates. Previous selection does not mean automatic selection for a later class, as a new application is required.

Program Cost

The approximate cost of the Paramedic Program is $5,500. The cost includes course fees, books, physical exams, uniforms, and other related costs, but does not include the cost of program prerequisites.

Potential Earnings

Paramedics normally work a 56-hour work week on a 24-hours-on, 48-hours-off work schedule. Salaries range from $23,000 to $50,000 annually.

Certification Examination

The program prepares students for the National Registry of EMT’s Paramedic Exam and Florida’s certification exam.