Paramedic Certificate Program Goals as Defined by CAAHEP/CoAEMSP
"To prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession."
The College Credit Certificate (CCC) is 45-week program and is designed for students who are pursuing an A.S. in EMS. The program consists of 1,160 contact hours, including classroom instruction and a required number of hours and competencies in the clinical environment and field setting. From 2018 to 2021, the CCC was offered as an evening program. The CCC has been moved to a day schedule shift-friendly program and will be offered at the Allstate Center.
Paramedics are a mainstay in public health and community service agencies and provide the most advanced care of all EMS professionals. Our program gives you the skills to excel in this field and a foundation for further EMS education and career advancement.
Please note: The Paramedic Certificate program will be offered in a shift-friendly day schedule at the Allstate Center in the Fall 2022 term, with classroom sessions meeting two days per week.
This academic program prepares you for the following careers. All job data is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Paramedics
Salary Data
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average
Florida Average
Projected employment for Florida
2023 Employment
4,990
2033
5,640
Percent Change
13
Projected Job Openings
300
Features of SPC's Paramedic Certificate
- Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Can be completed in 12 months
- Puts you in Pinellas County emergency centers, hospitals, community and fire/EMS agencies for clinical courses
- Places you in Pinellas County fire or EMS agencies for a field internship
- Prepares you for quick entry into a career
Skills You Will Gain in SPC's Paramedic Certificate
- Patient assessment and transportation
- Advanced airway management
- Environmental hazards and extrication techniques
- Effective communications and documentation
- Critical decision making regarding patient care
- Ethical behavior
- 12-lead EKG interpretation
- Medication administration
- Advanced life support techniques
Accreditation
St. Petersburg College's 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
www.caahep.org
To contact CoAEMSP:
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
Program outcomes
EMS Student Success, Retention and Employment Rates
| EMS Outcomes | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| NREMT Cognitive Exam | 91.4% | 92.3% | 100% | 94.9% |
| Retention Rate * | 72% | 86.9% | 46.7% | 67.2% |
| Employment Rate * | 89% | 96.2% | 100% | 94.9% |
| Success Rate ** | 93.8% | 81.6% | 63% | 90% |
Sources:
* CoAEMSP (Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions)
**St. Petersburg College Academic Program Viability Report
Overall, from 2019-2022 the National Registry Paramedic Exam pass rates for St. Petersburg College's EMS's College Credit Certificate and PSAV Program is 95%, the average retention rate is 68%, the average employment rate is 95%, and the average success rate is 82%. Please note as of August of 2018, the NREMT Cognitive Exam is required for state certification with the psychomotor exam optional to obtain National Registry certification. Additionally, as of July 1, 2024, the NREMT will no longer require the psychomotor exam to obtain National Registry certification"
Many of our SPC EMS Program graduates find employment in various EMS, fire, military, healthcare and law enforcement agencies. Additionally, students have found employment in medical facilities or have continued into nursing, physician assistant or medical school. Employment opportunities abound for any SPC paramedic graduate in the local and regional area. Placement data from our annual accreditation report shows a 94% placement rate since 2012.
Licensure
- Graduates of SPC's Paramedic Certificate program are prepared to take the state licensing exam for Paramedic.
CONTINUe YOUR EDUCATION at spc
SPC provides education in the two levels of Emergency Medical Services certified by the State of Florida: Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic. The EMT is the first level and allows practice at the basic life support level. It also provides the foundation to become a Paramedic. Paramedics provide more extensive pre-hospital care than do EMTs and are trained in advanced life support measures.
Our EMT Applied Technology Diploma and Paramedic Certificate programs are the first two occupational completion points for our Emergency Medical Services A.S. Degree. The A.S. Degree can transfer to two of SPC's bachelor's degrees: Public Safety Administration or Health Services Administration.
For graduates of the four technical schools covered by the Florida Statewide Articulation Agreement (Manatee Technical College, Suncoast Technical College [formerly Sarasota County Technical Institute], Lake Tech and First Coast Technical College), please contact the EMS Program Director to make an appointment to discuss a learning plan. You must be currently certified as a Florida Paramedic. Additional testing and face-to-face courses may be required.
HEALTH CONTINUING EDUCATION
We also offer health continuing education through the Workforce Institute.
Program Admission Guides
Please review the program admission guide to ensure your eligibility prior to applying below.
- Paramedic Certificate Admission Guide
- To be successful in the EMS programs, you should be able to demonstrate these Technical Standards and Essential Functions.
- Prospective Paramedic students must show proof of a valid Florida EMT certification, or will obtain a Florida EMT certification prior to completion of phase one (first semester) of the paramedic program.
- EMT Employment Verification Form To receive a Community Partner seat, this form needs to be completed and returned by an agency/department representative through agency/department email to EMS@spcollege.edu
Students accepted into the program will be required to successfully pass a background check and drug screening.
Application Windows
| Term | Applications Accepted | Application Review | Student Notified By MySPC e-mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall: August | March 1 – May 15 | May 16 - May 31 | June 1 |
| Spring: January | July 1 - Sept. 15 | Sept 16 - Sept 30 | Oct 1 |