Certificate of Achievement: Paramedic

The mission of the Paramedic Program is to provide a strong educational foundation so the future paramedics may improve the health and welfare of Kern County by providing the highest quality prehospital emergency medical care. The Paramedic Program is designed to provide students with the education and experience to perform as competent, entry level Paramedics. The program consists of a minimum of 1094 hours of instruction which is divided into three distinct sessions: didactic/classroom instruction (minimum of 454 hours), clinical lab (minimum of 160 hours), and field internship (minimum of 480 hours). Upon completion of the program, graduates will earn a Certificate of Achievement and are eligible to take the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic examination (NREMT-P) which is required for paramedic licensure in the state of California.

Enrollment Data: HLED 1535 Emergency Medical Technician

Completer Data: HLED 1535 Emergency Medical Technician

Goals:

• To train Emergency Medical Technicians to be Paramedics.
• Assist government agencies and private ambulance companies in training paramedics to serve our community.

Objectives (SLOs):

1. Demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate clinical information relative to the role of an entry level paramedic. Assessment: Written exams, verbal reports

2. Demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role of the entry level paramedic. Assessment: Skill competency demonstrations, successful completion of field internship

3. Demonstrate personal behaviors consistent with professional and employer expectations for the entry level paramedic. Assessment: Effective assessment tool, successful completion of field internship

Application Procedures: Seats are limited. To be fully eligible for enrollment into the Paramedic Program, it is the student’s responsibility to that the following is completed prior the end of the application period held in the month of February:

• Fill out an application form obtained from the Taft College website.
• Provide proof of high school completion (diploma or high school transcript) or GED – general education equivalent.
• Provide a copy of current valid EMT card (State of California EMT and/or NREMT).
• Provide a copy of a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card.
• Provide a copy of California driver’s license Health Requirements and Screenings after a student receives notification of enrollment into the Program and as a condition of enrollment students must complete all the following:
• Background Check - As a condition of enrollment into any Allied Health Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to submit to and pass a designated background screen. Please note the following:
• A history of legal conviction(s), or any other convictions which bar a person from participation in a federal program, could render a student ineligible for clinical placement (see section 100174 of California’s Title 22 - Division 9, Chapter 4).
• If a student cannot obtain background clearance from the clinical agencies, it will not be possible to place the student in the clinical areas, which is a required component of the Program.
• If a student cannot obtain a background clearance due to background restrictions, the space will be forfeited.
• Students who are found to be ineligible for clinical placement by the clinical agency after admission to the radiography program shall be subject to dismissal from the Program, as they will be unable to complete mandatory clinical rotations.
• Drug/Alcohol Screening - As a condition of enrollment into any Allied Health Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to submit to and pass a designated drug and alcohol screening.
• Vaccinations / Immunizations / Titers – Students must show proof the appropriate immunizations /vaccinations have been obtained.
• Mask Fit Test - The clinical education centers affiliated with Taft College require all Nursing/Allied Health students to be fitted for a mask that will be used when treating patients with respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, H1N1, flu, etc. The mask type is called N95 and comes in small and regular sizes. Students need to be properly fitted to determine which mask size best fits their facial anatomy. Testing of all students will be done annually as facial size may change. This test is mandatory for all students.
• Physical Exam - A physical examination must be completed by a physician or Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant of the student’s choice using the college’s forms. The Physical Exam, drug and alcohol screen, background screen, Immunizations, and health tests are performed at the expense of the student. The physical exam demonstrates the student can achieve the physical and technical standards necessary to meet the Program’s objectives.
• CPR & AED Card – The student must possess a current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers (CPR & AED) card. This card must be provided at the start of the Program and be kept valid during the entire Program.