Paramedic Schools in California
California paramedics are licensed by the Emergency Medical Service Authority. In order to qualify for a license, medics need to complete an accredited paramedic program. Individuals planning on attending paramedic school in California should look for a program that is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for EMS Professionals.
Students in California are required to complete 450 hours of classroom instruction as well as 160 hours of hospital or clinic work, and 480 hours of a field internship. Skills such as airway management and intravenous medication delivery are taught. California paramedic programs may either award a certificate or an associate degree.
Most paramedic programs in California will require an applicant to be certified as a basic emergency medical technician before they can become a paramedic. Many California schools will also require certain immunizations such as the hepatitis B series prior to being accepted into the program. Proof of a negative tuberculosis test is also required.
Individuals who are interested in attending paramedic school in California have several options. A number of community colleges, private schools, and county agencies throughout California offer a paramedic program. Some county fire departments also offer a paramedic program however these are usually for fire department personnel only. The cost of paramedic school in California varies greatly. Community college programs are less expensive than private schools.
Several private schools in California offer a paramedic program. The Northern California Training Institute is located in Sacramento and accepts students twice a year into their paramedic program. Admission to the program requires a passing score on the entrance exam and a personal interview.
The certificate program can be completed in one year. The school does offer an option for students who may want to complete the program at a slower pace. Students may take up to eighteen months for completion. This option may work well for those who are working full time.
In southern California one private school option is the California Paramedic Institute. Applicants must have one year of experience working as an emergency medical technician and pass the health occupations test. Prerequisite classes must be completed with a grade of B or higher in anatomy, medical terminology, and pre-hospital pharmacology. The school accepts two classes per year and the program takes a year to complete.
The county of Fresno in central California together with Fresno City College offers a paramedic program which takes one year to complete. One year of experience as an EMT is required for admission. Applicants must also pass an entrance test and a skills test. Students will be tested on basic EMT skills such as splinting and patient assessment.
Another option for individuals interested in attending paramedic school in California is community colleges. Several colleges have both a certificate an associate degree program.
American River College located in Sacramento has a certificate program which takes one year to complete. Students have the option of completing additional general education classes and earning an associate degree in paramedic studies.
The college has two options for completing the certificate program. Students can enroll in the full time program which is completed in twelve months and holds classes during the day. The other option is the part time program which is held in the evenings and takes four semesters to complete.
Located in southern California, Riverside Community College offers a certificate and associate degree paramedic program. Admission requirements include 2,000 hours of experience working as an EMT. The program is full-time, and a certificate can be earned in one year. Individuals who complete the required number of general education classes are awarded an associate degree.
