Paramedic Program

Paramedic Program

The Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Heath Educational Programs  (CAAHEP). Graduates of the Paramedic program are eligible to apply for the state examination and the national board examination.

The Paramedic:

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. The Paramedic course is a three-semester program that is offered once a year beginning with the fall semester and concluding after the first summer term. The application deadline is July 1st.

The Paramedic course uses a variety of teaching methods to facilitate learning. Student participation is essential in successfully meeting the course goals and in learning the material. The Gulf Coast State College Paramedic program curriculum is devised with our QEP vision model. We believe that teaching Critical Academic Literacy (CAL) strategies will improve student learning. Students will obtain knowledge as they develop their analysis, synthesis, and evaluation skills. Our CAL strategies are taught explicitly through direct classroom instruction and reinforced through consistent practice.  This method prepares our students for State and National Registry exams. 

Academic Year	National Registry Written Pass Rate	Florida State Exam Pass Rate	Retention	Positive Placement
2022	82%	82%	82%	100%

 

The Gulf Coast State College Paramedic Program 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).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763, (727) 210-2350 (www.caahep.org)

Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions: 8301 Lake View Parkway, Suite 111-312, Rowlett, TX 75088, Phone: (214) 703-8445, Fax: (214) 703-8992 (www.coaemsp.org)

This program is also approved by the State of Florida Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. 

Requirements for Paramedic Program

Student selection into the Paramedic program is granted under Conditional Acceptance. Students selected into the program must hold a current Florida EMT license or be eligible for the Florida Licensure examination by virtue of holding current National Registry certification or current EMT certification from another state. Within 45 days of entering the first semester of the Paramedic program students holding EMT certification from another state must score a minimum of 80 percent on the Florida EMT board examination. 

Florida certified EMTs must have completed the state board examination with a minimum score of 80 percent. Students failing to achieve an 80percent on the state board examination may challenge the GCSC EMT program final examination and score a minimum of 80 percent. Applicants must have maintained a minimum grade of "B" in the EMT training program. Students failing to achieve this average may challenge the GCSC EMT program final examination and score a minimum of 80 percent. Students applying for the Paramedic program will need to have a minimum grade of “C’ in required coursework as well as submit copies of a current valid driver's license, acceptable CPR certification and three letters or recommendation. Your CPR certification must be maintained throughout the program.  Acceptable cards are the American Heart Association Healthcare Provider, American Red Cross Professional Rescuer, or American Safety and Health Institute CPR-Pro. Students meeting all of the application criteria will be contacted to interview with the Program Coordinator. 

Student Selection Process:

The conditions listed above are minimum requirements however; satisfaction of these requirements does not automatically guarantee admission. Admission to the program is a selective process. Paramedic program applicants, with six months or more of emergency medical experience, are given preference for selection. The Admissions Committee will review and notify students of acceptance or denial.