How to Become a Paramedic in Florida
Paramedics are highly skilled prehospital professionals who provide life-supporting care to patients. Becoming a Paramedic in Florida is a journey toward a career path with many different options.
As a Florida Paramedic, you can work for ambulances or even on cruise ships. You can also work as a Paramedic for job sites, like oil rigs or construction sites. How do you become a Paramedic in Florida?
Paramedic Education and Training
Paramedics have to meet education and training requirements. At HCI College, our Paramedic program meets the latest National EMS Standards and qualifies graduates to take the Florida State Paramedic exam. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CoAEMSP).
The Paramedic program at HCI College can be completed in as little as 12 months, or three semesters. Combined lecture and lab courses teach the foundational principles of working as a Paramedic, as well as the required medical knowledge needed to do the job and work with patients. The hospital and field combined courses give Paramedic students the hands-on experience they need in their training.
Testing and Licensure
Once you have completed the education and training requirements, you must apply to take the Paramedic certification exam. The cognitive exam from NREMT asks you questions about medical situations and how to treat different illnesses and injuries. Florida’s Paramedic exam also covers a practical portion that tests your on-the-job skills and your fitness for the field.
Re-certification is also an important step. Once you have been licensed as a Paramedic in Florida, you have to complete refresher training courses to stay certified. You have to do this every two years. Refresher courses help your skills to stay sharp. The courses also teach new concepts or techniques that have been introduced since the last time you trained to be a Paramedic.
Becoming a Paramedic in Florida is indeed a process. You must follow the process to get certified as a Paramedic and work in Florida. The good news is that the path is already set for you, so you have plenty of resources to get started. HCI College’s program prepares you for a career as a Paramedic in Florida.
