Graduates of the Paramedic Certificate Program are prepared to become a credentialed Paramedic in the field of emergency medical services. 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.
People’s lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Paramedics have additional advanced training to perform more difficult pre-hospital medical procedures. Incidents as varied as automobile accidents, heart attacks, drownings, childbirth, and gunshot wounds all require immediate medical attention. EMTs and paramedics provide this vital attention as they care for and transport the sick or injured to a medical facility.
NOTE: Successful completion of Emergency Medical Technician coursework and certification are required BEFORE enrolling in coursework for the Paramedic Certificate. Eligibility requirements to take the Florida Paramedic exam include current certification as a Florida EMT and successful completion of the Paramedic Certificate Program coursework.
Purchase of professional liability insurance is required and included in the program cost. Uniforms are required in all EMS classes and at the clinical sites. 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 are responsible for transportation to and from the clinical and internship sites. The total Paramedic Certification Program length is three semesters and 42 college credit hours.
Current occupational employment and wages data for Paramedics are published by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292041.htm.
Accreditation:
The Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) under the auspices of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
CoAEMSP
8301 Lakeview Parkway
Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
Telephone: 214-703-8445
Application Deadline
Fall Semester Start - Application due by June 30
Admission Requirements:
The Paramedic Certificate Program has limited enrollment due to the rigorous clinical education requirements for the program. Acceptance to Florida SouthWestern State College does not imply acceptance into the Paramedic Certificate program. Each applicant must meet specific criteria which are listed in the admission policies. The Criteria for Admission Policies are available through the program office or through the School of Health Professions office at (239)489-9392. Admission applications are located at www.fsw.edu/academics/programs/certparamedic.
Pre-admission requirements include satisfactory completion of the following:
- Current Florida Emergency Medical Technician certification OR eligibility for EMT certification;
- Must have Florida EMT certification within 90 days of enrolling in EMS 2671.Florida.
- College-approved criminal records check and drug testing at the applicant’s expense.
After acceptance, students must complete the following:
- Immunization and health report
- TB Skin Test
- Current Certification in American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR and AED).
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