The Paramedic Certificate Program is designed to prepare the student to become a competent entry-level paramedic in the field of emergency medicine. Upon successful completion of the Paramedic Program, the EMS Department will issue to the student the necessary information required to submit to the Florida State EMS Office to apply for the Florida State Paramedic Certification examination. The Paramedic Certificate Program is designed to prepare the student to become a competent entry-level paramedic in the field of emergency medicine. The program is three semesters and 42 college credit hours in length (in addition to the EMT certification).
During the Paramedic Program, students will be required to complete clinical rotations in local hospital settings and internships with area EMS providers. These clinical rotations are in addition to scheduled lecture and laboratory hours. Students must provide transportation to and from the clinical and internship sites as required. Purchase of EMS uniforms is required for clinical and internship rotations.
Estimated program costs are $6,000 for Florida residents and $15,000 for non-Florida residents. This includes tuition, lab fees, textbooks, uniforms, insurance, and equipment. Refer to the Edison State College website for financial aid information. Additional costs include required uniforms, a stethoscope, and professional liability insurance. Students must also provide transportation to clinical and field experiences. During the Paramedic Certificate Program, students will be required to complete a one-week rotation in an operating room with a local hospital. This rotation is in addition to scheduled class/ laboratory/clinical/internship hours. To be eligible to sit for the Florida Paramedic exam, the student must be currently certified as a Florida EMT and successfully complete the Paramedic Certificate Program.
The EMT-Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in conjunction with the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Paramedic Career Opportunities:
- Certified Paramedic
- Firefighter
- Educator
- Medical Equipment Sales
- Air Ambulance
- Hospital Staff
Program Prerequisites:
This is a limited admissions program, requiring completion of a separate “Application for EMS Programs,” minimum college placement scores in English, reading, and mathematics (as described at www.edison.edu/assessment/placement.php), and acceptance into the program by the College EMS Department.
Applicants must provide evidence of current Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification (or be eligible for certification; Florida certified within 90 days of beginning EMS 2671). Applicants are required to hold current CPR certification as outlined by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. In addition, the admissions process requires satisfactory completion of an immunization and health report and satisfactory completion of a College-approved criminal advisory background check completed at the applicant’s expense.
Important program information, including the application schedule, can be downloaded at www.edison.edu/academics/certparamedic/paramedic.php.
Course Prerequisites and Corequisites: Refer to specific course descriptions listed in this catalog.
Contact Information:
Emergency Medical Services Program Office: (239) 489-9392
Website: www.edison.edu/academics/certparamedic/paramedic.php.
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