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Girl in Paramedic Jacket

Paramedic, C.T.

Program Snapshot
Academic CredentialCertificate
Total Credit Hours42
Academic PathwayPublic Safety
AdvisorLiliana Zamora, BSPH, NRP
Program Director
850.769.1551 ext. 5632
lzamora@gulfcoast.edu

Senior Administrative AssistantVictoria Byrd
850.769.1551, ext. 5615
vbyrd1@gulfcoast.edu

Visit the Public Safety Website

VISIT MY FACULTY PAGE

Paramedic, Certificate

Take the Next Step in Your EMS Career

Why should I apply to the Paramedic Certificate program?

Now that you’ve been working as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), you realize that you need to take your career to the next level. This is the higher level of the EMS career ladder.  Paramedics are licensed EMTs who are then trained in advanced life support measures including venipuncture, intravenous therapy, endotracheal intubation, medication administration, arrhythmia interpretation, cardioversion, and defibrillation. 

How long is the Paramedic Certificate program?

The Paramedic course is a one year program consisting of 42 credit hours over three consecutive semesters  The program is offered once a year beginning in the fall semester and concluding after the summer term. All classes are held at the North Bay Campus in Southport primarily on Mondays and Wednesdays, on occasion class maybe held on different days of the week.  An Associate of Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services is also available. This  option expands the Paramedic Program to 73 credit hours including general education courses. The application deadline is May 31st.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed this program and other important information, please visit www.gulfcoast.edu/ge/parm

CPR Dummy

Paramedic Course Requirements

EMS2231, Paramedic I
EMS2232, Paramedic II
EMS2233, Paramedic III
EMS2425, Paramedic Internship
EMS2435, Paramedic I Lab
EMS2436, Paramedic II Lab
EMS2553, Pediatric Advanced Life Support
EMS2934, Advanced Medical Life Support
RET1934, Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Paramedic Certificate Program Accreditation

The Gulf Coast State College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763 727-210-2350

To contact CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
AX 214-703-8992

www.coaemsp.org

What can you do with a Paramedic Certificate?

Correctional officer jobs are available at the state and county levels.

  • The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) today announced on April 1, 2016 that the agency seeks to hire more than 4,000 correctional officers statewide before July 1, 2017 to fill existing vacancies and account for projected turnover. A career in corrections offers the unique opportunity to serve and protect our state and communities while making a positive difference in the lives of Florida’s inmates.
  • In addition to the Florida Department of Corrections, companies such as, GEO and CCA hire correctional officers in Florida.
  • There are 67 counties in Florida, and all have jails that need correctional officers.

How much does a Paramedic earn?

Most EMTs and paramedics work full time. Their work is physically strenuous and can be stressful, sometimes involving life-or-death situations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is projected to grow 24 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters, and acts of violence, will continue to create demand for EMTs and paramedics. The median pay for paramedics is $31,980 per year or $15.38 per hour.

Inside ambulance
Who is eligible to Apply for the Paramedic Certificate?
To be considered for the Paramedic Program, applicants should have a State of Florida EMT certification. The applicant must also have passed the EMT coursework on the first attempt achieving a "B" grade in EMS1119, EMS1401, EMS1335, and EMS1555 or equivalent coursework. Any student passing with a "C" grade in any EMS course should have one (1) year of full-time or two (2) years of part-time work experience at an ALS transport service prior to applying. The applicant must also provide a positive letter of recommendation from an immediate supervisor. Applicants must have a Basic Life Support CPR (BLS) certification. Your BLS certification must be maintained throughout the program. Acceptable cards are the American Heart Association Basic Life Support , American Red Cross BLS, or American Safety and Health Institute BLS.
Why Choose Gulf Coast State College to Earn Your Paramedic Certificate?
Gulf Coast State College EMS programs have clinical training agreements with area and panhandle hospitals and ambulance firms, including Bay Medical Center and Gulf Coast Medical Center in Panama City, Bay County Emergency Services. Our faculty and instructors are highly qualified field experts working in both the clinical and Fire Rescue areas. Many of the instructors who work in the local emergency services fields who are dedicated to making an investment in your training as a student and future professional working associate.

Are you ready to Get Started?

Apply to GCSC

To apply to the Paramedic Certificate Program, you’ll need to complete the general admission application to Gulf Coast State College and fulfill all admissions requirements.  Visit the Gulf Coast admissions page to learn more about the application process. You must also complete the online Paramedic Program application..

The Program Coordinator will review application in June for the Fall semester.  If selected you will receive a letter of Conditional Acceptance into the Paramedic Program.  After you receive your letter of Conditional Acceptance, you will be given a deadline to complete the following required date sensitive task.

Apply to Gulf Coast

Apply for Financial Aid & Scholarships

There are many options available to help you pay for college. Find out more about  scholarships and financial aid at Gulf Coast State College.

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

Register for Classes

Check out the class registration dates and plan your schedule today.

REGISTER

Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Lee Wood, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.