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 Paramedic College Credit Certificate (CCC) is a 47-week program for students pursuing an A.S. degree in EMS or those seeking a certificate of completion. The program comprises 1,208 contact hours, including lecture and lab instruction and the required hours and competencies in the clinical environment and field setting. Classes are held Monday through Thursday and are designed to accommodate a shift-friendly schedule where students must be on campus twice a week.
Paramedics are integral to both emergency medical services and broader public health efforts. Their advanced skills, dedication to patient care, and involvement in community initiatives make them a cornerstone of these agencies.
The program offers a robust and well-rounded curriculum that covers all essential aspects of paramedic training and is taught by seasoned and educated professionals who bring real-world experience and expertise to the classroom, providing invaluable insights and mentorship. Students gain practical experience through clinical rotations and field internships with local EMS agencies, hospitals, and fire departments, allowing them to apply their skills in real-world settings.
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
Paramedic Certificate with Financial Aid Eligibility
PMED-CT
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Spring 2023 (615)
The requirements shown below are valid beginning Spring 2023 (615), and may not reflect degree requirements for current students. Current students should visit My SPC and view My Learning Plan to see specific degree requirements for their effective term.
Program Summary
For paramedic program information, please contact HEC_advising@spcollege.edu
This certificate is designed to produce paramedics, whose job description involves advanced life support, to deliver the pre-hospital, life support care and transportation necessary for victims of accident and emergency illness. Successful completion of the prescribed courses and the awarding of a certificate of completion means eligibility to take the State of Florida examination for certification or national registry exam for certification as a Paramedic. The goal of SPC is to assist students in preparing for licensure in the state of Florida. Students interested in licensure outside the state of Florida should contact the individual state for any unique or individual requirements. In addition, students should contact their professional association for additional information on out of state licensure.
Graduation Requirements
Minimum grade of "C" in all courses.
Academic Pathways
The Academic Pathway is a tool for students that lists the following items:- the recommended order in which to take the program courses
- suggested course when more than one option exists
- which semester each course is typically offered
- if the course has a prerequisite
- courses that may lead to a certificate (if offered in the program)
Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.
Program Leadership Information
Florida CIP Code
0351090405 - Paramedic CCC
Federal CIP Code
51.0904 - Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic).
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 | 2023 |
| NREMT Cognitive Exam | 91.4% | 92.3% | 100% | 94.9% | 81.8% |
| Retention Rate * | 72% | 86.9% | 46.7% | 67.2% | 82.5% |
| Employment Rate * | 89% | 96.2% | 100% | 94.9% | 90.9% |
| Success Rate ** | 93.8% | 81.6% | 63% | 90% | 92% |
Sources:
* CoAEMSP (Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions)
**St. Petersburg College Academic Program Viability Report
From 2019-2023, the National Registry Paramedic Exam pass rate for St. Petersburg College's EMS College Credit Certificate is 92%, the average retention rate is 71%, the average employment rate is 94%, and the average success rate is 84%. Please note that as of August 2018, the NREMT Cognitive Exam is required for state certification. Additionally, as of July 1, 2024, the NREMT will no longer need the psychomotor exam to obtain National Registry certification.
Many 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 2019.
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.
Students with an active EMT license or who completed their EMT and/or Paramedic program(s) at a qualifying institution in the Florida College System or one of Florida's District Postsecondary Institutions may be eligible to receive free articulated credit towards the EMS AS program at SPC. For more information, please visit our articulations catalog. Admission to the AS program must be completed before articulated credit can be awarded. Students must complete at least one of the EMT or Paramedic programs at SPC to be admitted to the EMS AS degree program.
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 |