Paramedic, Certificate

Program Code: 6900

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Programs at Santa Fe College consist of a First Responder course, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certificate Program, the Paramedic Certificate Program, and the Emergency Medical Services Associate in Science degree. These programs prepare EMS professionals to deliver patient care at the scene of an emergency or while working in an ambulance, with a fire rescue agency, in a hospital emergency department, in the military, with a law enforcement agency, and in many other areas of healthcare. 

The Associate in Science degree in EMS is applicable for people who are currently employed in these fields and who want to improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities for career development. Students must demonstrate competency in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical, and computer skills.

The EMS Program’s goal is to prepare competent entry-level EMTs and paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

The EMT is a professional who delivers basic life support care. The EMT certificate is a one-semester college credit program consisting of classroom, laboratory, hospital emergency department, and ambulance clinical components. Although this is considered a part-time program, at least 25 hours per week and a flexible schedule are required. Upon successful completion of all components of the EMT program, the student may be eligible to take a certification exam offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

The Paramedic Program is a one-year college credit certificate program, which is three semesters, 43-credit hours (minimum of 1,100 clock hours in length). The student will learn advanced life support patient care and procedures. The program consists of classroom, laboratory, hospital clinical and ambulance clinical components. This program, like EMT, requires a strong commitment to the profession. Upon successful completion of all components of the Paramedic Program, the student may be eligible to take a certification exam offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Santa Fe College’s Paramedic Programs is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

To Contact CAAHEP	To Contact COAEMSP
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 9355 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole FL 33775 (727) 210-2350 www.caahep.org	Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions 8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312 Rowlett TX 75088 (214) 703-8445 FAX (214) 703-8992 www.coaemsp.org

Admission Requirements
Emergency Medical Services programs have limited class sizes to enhance learning and practical exercise opportunities for students. An additional application process is in place to ensure that students have the best opportunity for success. Please review our website at https://www.sfcollege.edu/kirkpatrick/ to review the eligibility requirements and application deadlines.

The Paramedic Program is a college credit certificate program, which is three semesters, 43-credit hours (minimum of 1100 clock hours) in length (one year). Current Florida certification as an emergency medical technician is required prior to applying for entry into the Paramedic Program. The Program typically begins in January and August of each year and requires a special application and acceptance process.

Paramedics utilize advanced medical skills combined with the skills learned in EMT to render care in a variety of situations and settings. A paramedic is a member of the healthcare team that provides advanced life support to save lives jeopardized by trauma, cardiac events, or other illnesses. Paramedics often make critical patient care decisions in situations where seconds and minutes can mean the difference between life and death. Paramedics often are called upon to intervene in situations requiring the ability to reason, rapidly make decisions, defuse anxiety, lead groups of people, and function under stress. It is essential for an EMT entering the Paramedic Program to have a strong foundation of basic skills upon which to build.

Upon successful completion of all components of the Paramedic Program, students may be eligible to take a certification exam offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Prerequisites to the program are: Current Florida EMT Certification, completion of BSC-2085 Anatomy and Physiology with lab (or equivalent course and lab) with grades of “C” or higher,” and American Heart Association healthcare provider CPR or its equivalent.

*Students anticipating transfer to a four-year baccalaureate institution should take the two-semester Anatomy/Physiology sequence (BSC 2085  / BSC 2085L  and BSC 2086  / BSC 2086L ).