Paramedic
Paramedics function as part of a collaborative response, working under medical direction with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers of other levels. Paramedics focus on advanced life support (ALS), diagnostic and treatment tools such as interpretation of heart rhythms, emergency pharmacology and advanced airway management. These skills and techniques help extend the reach of the healthcare system.
Program Description
The Polk State Paramedic Program is a 1,234-contact-hour program consisting of various components including didactic lectures, skills and simulation labs, and clinical practice. Throughout the course of the program, students gain the necessary skills to demonstrate competency and professionalism as the highest trained personnel within pre-hospital medicine. The paramedic class schedule varies week-to-week to accommodate those who work a 24-on, 48-off shift schedule, with possible future options consisting of 24-on, 72-off shift schedules and various other non-traditional industry specific schedules based on shifting industry demands. Furthermore, clinical internship schedules often require participation during nights, weekends and/or holidays.
The Paramedic Certificate is a limited admission program, which consists of an application process. Upon acceptance, program begins in either August or January each year.
Additional Program Requirements
Information regarding these requirements will be provided during the mandatory orientation:
- Ten-panel drug screen
- Criminal background check and Level II fingerprint check. Please refer to the Florida Department of Health’s website for full information on State certification and criminal history information.
- Full physical examination including essential functions
- Immunization records and communicable disease screening
- Current American Heart Association BLS Provider certification
Advanced Placement Policy: The Polk State College Paramedic Program does not offer advanced placement into the Paramedic curriculum. Students are not permitted to bypass, challenge or receive advanced standing for required Paramedic program courses based on prior EMS education, certification, licensure, employment, experiential learning or completion of coursework at another EMS education program. All students admitted to the Paramedic Program must enter at the established entry point and successfully complete the prescribed Paramedic course sequence and all associated didactic, laboratory, clinical, field, capstone and competency requirements.
Program Cost
Approximate cost is about $6,500 including tuition, lab fees, textbooks and uniforms.
Potential Earnings
Please refer to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics Occupational Outlook Handbook for the most up to date earnings publishing.
The median annual wage for Emergency Medical Technicians was $44,470 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for Paramedics was $60,600 in May 2025.
Certification Examination
Program graduates are eligible to attempt the National Registry Paramedic (NRP) Examination.
Click here to see the Paramedic Certificate curriculum.
Gainful Employment
This is a gainful employment program. Visit the Gainful Employment page for gainful employment programs’ placement and on-time completion rates, median loan amounts, Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) codes and estimated program costs.
Gainful employment programs include only training programs of at least one academic year that lead to a certificate (credit programs requiring 16 or more credit hours and clock hour programs requiring 600 or more contact hours). These programs prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.
