LPC Paramedic Training Program FAQs
What is a Paramedic?
A Paramedic provides advanced life support care to patients who are ill and/or injured. Transports and transfers patients and assesses the extent of an illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures to follow. Applies artificial respiration or administers oxygen in cases of suffocation and asphyxiation, dispenses antiseptic solution to prevent infection, starts and administers intravenous fluids, and performs other emergency medical procedures during the ambulance ride.
What are the Educational Requirements for Paramedic?
Educational requirements include a minimum of a high school diploma, registration with the EMT National Registry, and licensed by State EMS Authority. Paramedics must be CPR certified and familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field.
Is the Las Positas College Paramedic Program Accredited?
The Las Positas College Paramedic Program received its Letter of Review from the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (COAEMSP) on December 13, 2012 which is valid until December 13, 2014. The LPC PTP will submit the second stage of its accreditation application in the Fall of 2014 after the graduation of our first class and hope to receive a site visit from the COAEMSP in 2015 to achieve final accreditation. Possession of a Letter of Review does not guarantee ultimate accreditation by the COAEMSP and CAAHEP, it just means that the Las Positas College Program possesses the requisite core content and signifies that it is making satisfactory progress in the accreditation process
The fact that a paramedic program possesses a letter of review from or is accredited by CAAHEP and COAEMSP is extremely important to the student. The National Registry or EMT’s has a policy here: www.nremt.org/nremt/about/para_accred_implementation_policy.asp that describes whether or not a student may take the NREMT Paramedic Licensing examination. As California uses the NREMT Paramedic exam as an initial licensing examination, attending a school that does not have a letter of review or accreditation may jeopardize your opportunity to be licensed as a paramedic. For a list of accredited programs and programs that possess a Letter of Review from COAEMSP, go to:
www.caahep.org and use the tab for Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic and search for
programs that are “Accredited” and/or possess a “Letter of Review”.
Will I be able to get my clinical and field internship training within the time standards as required by California State Title 22 Regulations?
Yes, the new Paramedic Regulations effective April 1, 2013 require that a paramedic program place a student in a clinical setting within 30 days of the completion of their didactic education. The Las Positas Paramedic Program places students concurrently in a clinical training setting while the
student is in their didactic education. Students will begin clinical exposure and training in the second semester of the program. As such, the LPC program is well within regulatory requirements. Paramedic Students must also be placed in a field internship within 90 days of their completion of didactic and clinical training under the new regulations. By accepting only enough students that our ambulance providers can accommodate, the Las Positas Paramedic Program is compliant with this new regulation.
What clinical sites does the Las Positas Paramedic Program use for clinical education? Alameda County Medical Center Emergency
Dept. Alameda County Medical Center Pediatric Clinic
Alameda County John George Psychiatric Pavilion Kaiser Oakland Emergency Dept
Kaiser Fremont Emergency Dept Kaiser Hayward Emergency Dept Kaiser Vallejo
Kaiser Vacaville Eden Medical Center ValleyCare Medical Center
Saint Francis Hospital Emergency Department Saint Francis Hospital Bothin Burn Center
What ambulance providers does the Las Positas Paramedic Program use for field internships? Paramedics Plus (Alameda County)
Riggs Ambulance Service (Merced County)
King and American Ambulance Service (San Francisco County) *pending AMR *pending
Berkeley Fire Department San Francisco Fire Department*
*Certain students that have a fire department affiliation may apply with the San Francisco Fire Department for a paramedic internship. Additional costs and requirements may apply.
The Las Positas Paramedic Program is constantly evaluating its clinical and field internship opportunities and is applying for additional sites and providers yearly. If a student has a specific agency or clinical site in mind, please contact the Program Director, Sebastian Wong. How do I apply for the Paramedic program?
Submit an application by the due date of June 20, 2014. The application may be found on the program website at: http://www.laspositascollege.edu/EMT/ParamedicTrainingProgram.php
Who may I contact for additional information?
You may email Sebastian Wong at [email protected] or telephone him at 925‐424‐1000, ext 2046.
What is the timeline for the 2014‐2015 Paramedic Program?
Application Period April22nd – June20th
First Round Notification June 23rd
First Round Examination July 7th
Second Round Notification July 18th
Second Round Examination July 20th
Final Acceptance Letters Sent July 28st
Background/Drug Testing July 28th
What are the applicant selection criteria?
The following guidelines provide applicant selection information:
Considered First: Those applicants with completed applications submitted by June 20th that show they have completed all the recommended courses. Those applicants with the highest GPA and/or Veteran status will be given priority. Students selected during this first round will be expected to sit for an examination on July 7th.
Considered Next: Those applicants with completed applications submitted by June 18th that show they will successfully complete the recommended courses by the end of the Spring 2014 semester. Students selected during this first round will be expected to sit for an examination on July 20th. Not Accepted: Those applicants whose applications are incomplete, or submitted after July7th.
Twenty‐Four (24) students will be accepted with five (5) Alternates accepted. Students on “Alternate” status must reapply during the application period the next year if they are not admitted to the 2014 program.
What is the job outlook for a Paramedic?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for emergency medical technicians and paramedics is expected to grow through 2018 and job prospects should be good, particularly in major cities and with private ambulance services and vast health care services. Schools and programs offering courses in this field are limited.
How much does a Paramedic make?
A Paramedic may make $45,000.00 to $100,000.00 annually depending on the employer. Along with the salary, does this field typically offer health benefits?
Many private employers offer benefits such as 401(k) retirement plans and health insurance for full time employees. Overtime, vacation, and sick pay time may be offered. Public employers such as municipalities and fire departments that employ paramedics may also offer public safety defined benefits retirement programs and health insurance, overtime, sick and vacation pay.
What are the specific classes offered throughout the Las Positas College training program? The specific classes offered throughout the training program are:
EMS 50 EMT‐P Prep Theory EMS 51 Human Systems EMS 52 Pharmacology and Airway EMS 53 Medical Syndromes
EMS 54 Abdominal and Neurological Systems EMS 55 Cardiac and Respiratory Systems EMS 56 Trauma and Shock EMS 57 Special Patient Populations EMS 58 Paramedic Field Training
Is there an internship/externship required; if so will I have help finding one?
Yes, a Field Internship consisting of a minimum of 480 hours is required. During the Field Internship, the Paramedic Student must complete a minimum of 40 Advanced Life Support Contacts. The Las Positas College Paramedic Training Program will provide assistance to the student with placement in a Field Internship. However, the student is responsible for the cost of the Paramedic Provider’s charges to the Paramedic Student to compensate the Preceptor. These costs may range from no cost to $1,500.00.
Will I receive college credits or units upon completion of the training program?
As a fee‐based program offered by the College, academic credit or “college credits and/or units” cannot be offered to the student.
The Paramedic Training program at Las Positas College is a Community
Services Offering. The program is a fee-supported, not-for-credit community service set of
classes authorized pursuant to Education Code Section 78300 and approved pursuant to
Subdivision (d) of Title 5, Section 55002, for which state apportionment is not claimed and
credit is not awarded (Title 5, Section 55000).
Are there any prerequisites for the program?
Yes, it is required that the student have an Anatomy and Physiology Class equivalent to Bio 50 and a Medical Terminology Class equivalent to EMS 52. Candidates must be 18 years of age and possess a valid EMT Certificate from the State of California or another State in the Union. Out of State
Candidates must also possess a NREMT‐B registration and be eligible for certification in the State of California as an EMT. Candidates who do not possess EMT Certification in the State of California will be disqualified from enrolling in the program.
How much does this training program cost?
Program Cost ‐ $9,768.00; Internship Cost ‐ up to $1,500.00 (depending on Paramedic Field Provider); OPTIONAL Credit by Examination Cost ‐ $2,158.00; Background/Criminal/Drug Screening $97.
How do I pay for the program?
Fees must be paid in full and submitted with the Program Application. You may submit a check or money order made payable to Las Positas College or submit credit card information on the form provided. Veterans eligible for Chapter 33 benefits should consult with Todd Steffan at the LPC Veterans Affairs Office to arrange funding.
What if I cannot afford the program?
At this time, traditional Financial Aid options are not available. Veterans may be eligible for specific benefits and are encouraged to contact the Las Positas College Veteran’s First coordinator at 925.424.1571. The Veteran’s First Office is located at the Las Positas College campus, Room 1316.
You may visit their website at: http://www.laspositascollege.edu/veterans/VeteransBenefits.php.
Students that are receiving unemployment benefits or who are a OneStop client may be eligible for job training assistance. Please contact your case worker at EDD or the OneStop for individual training assistance.
