PARAMEDIC
CERTIFICATE
Program #8160
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.
The 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. The response 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 accident
or sudden illness by stabilization of the patient's
condition using advanced life support skills and equipment
and 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 as a Paramedic.
PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION
The Paramedic course sequence 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, knowledge
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 observe 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
manager 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 required levels on state mandated
placement tests in English, reading, and mathematics
may enroll in one College Preparatory course concurrent
with Paramedic I. Student requiring more than one
College Preparatory course will be denied admission
until the English, reading and mathematics requirements
are achieved.
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 the Selection Committee.
|
|
1.
Acceptance to Polk Community College as a credit student
with all required admission documents on file. |
|
2.
At the time of application and admission to the Paramedic
program, an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.00
or higher. |
|
3.
Completion of all college prep courses in reading and
English. |
|
4.
Completion of the required anatomy and Physiology courses
with a grade of "C" or better. |
|
5.
State of Florida EMT certification. |
|
6.
Submission of a complete and accurate application for
the Paramedic Certificate program to Student Services
by the application deadline for the following Fall class.
Applications are available in Student Services. |
| The
application must contain all the above listed requirements
in order for it 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 manager to assure compliance with
the above requirements.
ADDITIONAL
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Additional requirements that are completed after the
selection process has been finalized include:
|
|
A.
Physical Examination and Essential Functions |
|
B.
Immunizations and Communicable Disease
Screenings |
|
C.
Current CPR Certification (ARC or AHA) |
|
The Program manager 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.
GPA of prerequisite courses: 50 points |
|
2.
GPA of AS Degree general education courses indicated
below that have been completed: 15 points
ENC 1101 College Composition 1
HUM 2020 Introduction to Humanities
PSY 1012 General Psychology
HLP 1081 Wellness Concepts |
|
3.
Interview with selection committee: 20 points |
|
4.
Demonstrated experience in EMS: 15 points |
|
5.
Experience in EMS may be obtained as a volunteer or
employee. The hours must be documented and will
be verified by the program manager. |
| SELECTION
PROCESS |
|
1.
The Selection Committee selects candidates for program
admission based on 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 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 $2,000
in addition to the cost of the program prerequisites.
The cost includes course fees, books, physical exams,
uniforms, and other related cost.
POTENTIAL EARNINGS
Paramedic's normally work a 56-hour workweek on a
24-hour on and 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 as a Paramedic.
|
| CERTIFICATE
CURRICULUM |
|
Credits
Required
|
| PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS |
| BSC
1084C |
Basic
Anatomy and Physiology |
5
|
|
| EMS
2603 |
Paramedic
I |
10 |
|
| EMS
2603L |
Paramedic
I Lab/Clinical |
5
|
|
| EMS
2604 |
Paramedic
II |
10 |
|
| EMS
2604L |
Paramedic
II Lab/Clinical |
5 |
|
| EMS
2605 |
Paramedic
III |
8
|
|
| EMS
2605L |
Paramedic
III Lab/Clinical |
4
|
|
| TOTAL
HOURS |
|
47 |
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