Florida Requirements for Becoming a Professional Paramedic
The Florida healthcare system and others nationwide rely heavily on the contributions of emergency medical services (EMS) and paramedics.
You may be considering a career as a paramedic if you’re comfortable working on a team, want to serve the community, do important work, and seek a rewarding profession.
At HCI, you can obtain the complete training and information you need to be an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) and begin this important, satisfying work of helping to save lives and support those in need of emergency medical intervention. Paramedic training is thorough and an investment, but the return is the career you’ve been dreaming of.
How To Become Trained as a Paramedic
Before applying to enroll in a paramedic training program, you must be at least 18 years of age. You will also be required to present a high school diploma or equivalent, valid driver’s license, CPR certification, and BLS certification from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. You must successfully complete an HIV/AIDS training course, pass a background check and a physical exam, plus demonstrate a standard level of understanding of the English language to be sure you are able to communicate with patients and team members in speech and in writing.
At HCI, you can take the paramedic program consisting of 45 credits over three semesters. Your paramedic training will include 240 hours of practical time on an ambulance, plus 160 hospital experience hours. Over the course of your education, you will learn about, among other topics:
- Roles and responsibilities of EMT-Ps
- Legal implications and concerns
- Ethics
- Effective communications
- Medical emergencies
- Cardiological episodes
- Spinal injuries
Completing Paramedic Education and Gaining Certification
After all classroom and clinical study hours are completed, paramedic students must apply for and successfully complete the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) paramedic exam to licensure. These tests are on a pass/fail basis and licenses are issued by the State of Florida Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. After successful passage, your paramedic license must be renewed every two years.
Learn more about how HCI helps you become a paramedic here.
