Degree and Certificate Programs

Health Care

Paramedic (6393)

Technical Certificate

Mission Statement: Creating competent, ethical, confident entry-level healthcare practitioners committed to professional development through life-long learning in a positive, non-discriminatory and supportive learning environment.

The Career: An emergency medical services system consists of many different components. Paramedic is the advanced level for work in the EMS field. Paramedics provide advanced life support and transportation for the sick and injured.

The Program: This limited access program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Graduates of the program are prepared to function as entry-level paramedics. Upon completion of the program, graduates are awarded a technical certificate and are eligible to apply to sit for the Florida state board examination to qualify for certification as a paramedic in the state of Florida. Graduates of the one-year technical certificate program may elect to continue for the associate in science degree in emergency medical services (EMS) technology.

Prerequisites: Prior to being admitted to the program an applicant must complete:
EMS 1059 First Responders: Emergency Care Training
EMS 1119 Fundamentals of Emergency Medical Care
EMS 1401 Fundamentals of Emergency Medical Care Clinical Experience
*BSC 2020C Human Biology

Application Procedure:

1. All applicants for admission to this program must be at least 18 years of age.
2. Students must have earned a high school diploma or equivalency degree.
3. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. (Call the EMS office for application deadlines.)
4. Applicants must document all eligibility requirements.
   1. FCCJ Student number and classification as degree-seeking (NOTE: EMT and paramedic programs are technical certificate programs and require degree-seeking status)
   2. Notarized character statement
   3. Florida EMT certification or board eligible (applicants must pass the first exam they are eligible for or they will be dropped from the program)
   4. Current HCP-BLS card
   5. Satisfactory scores on all portions of admission test or successful completion of required prep courses
   6. Proof of PIP car insurance
   7. Copy of drivers license
   8. Original photograph
   9. Completion of BSC 2020C Human Biology
5. CPTS will have to be taken by those students not having grades for EMT. Applicants will be ranked according to the quality points earned in EMT, and BSC 2020C Human Biology. (Quality points are calculated by multiplying the credit hour value of the class by the grade factor, A=4, B=3, C=2.) Students who do not have grades for EMT will receive quality points based on their CPTS score. These CPTS scores will not replace placement results that were determined by other testing options.
6. Applicants who document recent work experience as EMTs (minimum six months full-time at time of application) will receive three points per year up to a maximum of nine points. This will be the applicant's responsibility to provide this documentation.
7. The top 24 ranked students will be notified by mail of their acceptance into the program and will be notified of the special registration requirements of the program. Those accepted who fail to register and pay for their classes at the designated time will forfeit acceptance into the class. In case of forfeiture, the next highest ranked student will be notified of acceptance.

Note: A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.

Required Courses:

The following is a list of courses required for this program presented in a recommended sequence of completion. The sequence is only a suggested guide, and there is no requirement to follow the sequence precisely. Students in this program may register for any course as long as the student has met any prerequisites for that course.

Course Number and Title	Credits
*BSC 2020C Human Biology	4
EMS 2611 Paramedic Module I, Preparatory	4
EMS 2611L Paramedic Module 1, Lab	2
EMS 2612L Paramedic Module 2, Airway Lab	1
EMS 2613L Paramedic Module 3, Patient Assessment Lab	3
EMS 2666 Paramedic Clinical 1	3
EMS 2614 Paramedic Module 4, Trauma	2
EMS 2615 Paramedic Module 5, Medical	6
EMS 2615L Paramedic Module 5, Medical Lab	3
EMS 2667 Paramedic Clinical 2	3
EMS 2616 Paramedic Module 6, Special Considerations	3
EMS 2617L Paramedic Module 7, Assessment Based Lab	2
EMS 2618L Paramedic Module 8, Operations Lab	1
EMS 2668 Clinical 3	2
EMS 2659 Paramedic Field Internship	3
Total Credit Hours	42

*Note: BSC 2085C and BSC 2086C may be substituted for BSC 2020C.
Prior to contact with patients or patient specimens, students must furnish proof of childhood immunizations. Hepatitis B vaccination is strongly recommended. Health insurance must be maintained throughout clinical training. Contact program chairperson for additional information.