Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic

Career Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic careers to grow 11% by 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. Hospitals are some of the largest employers in Ontario County, which creates job opportunities for first responders and emergency care providers. The demand for paramedics is so strong in the region that some healthcare employers provide tuition reimbursement to EMTs who complete paramedic training.=

Curious about career pathways in this field? Check out Career Coach to learn more about industry job growth, education requirements, earning potential, and more. 

Where Our Graduates Work

This program trains you for a career as a paramedic with opportunities to advance into EMS management positions. Program graduates work for a variety of local healthcare facilities, including:

Smooth Transfer to a Four-Year College

If you're considering a bachelor’s degree after FLCC, our academic advisors will help you connect with four-year schools and explore transfer options. We'll assist you in selecting courses that efficiently meet the requirements for both FLCC and your future college.

• Joint Admissions Agreements: These allow first-year students to gain admission to both FLCC and participating four-year schools at the same time. Gain peace of mind knowing your next step is set while you complete your associate degree with us.
• Transfer Articulation Agreements: These partnerships ensure your credits from FLCC will transfer directly and seamlessly to a partner four-year school. You can enter a bachelor’s program with full junior standing, saving you time and money.

VIEW TRANSFER AGREEMENTS

EMT Certification Courses

You must be certified as a New York State EMT (basic level) to enroll in our paramedic programs, which begin in January. FLCC offers EMT certification courses every Fall and Spring Semester, preparing you to enter the paramedic program the following year.

If you do not have a basic EMT certification, you can complete our 6-credit EMT training course in the Fall and begin taking the core paramedic courses in the Spring.

Comprehensive Clinical and Field Experiences

Acquire valuable real-life experience responding to emergency situations through 180 hours of clinical experience in hospitals and an additional 300 hours of field experience in ambulances. Learn to work in emergency departments, operating rooms, intensive care units, psychiatric treatment units, delivery rooms, and other specialized care units.

Clinical experience at hospitals:

• Shadow RNs and MDs
• Practice advanced airway skills
• Coordinate 911 dispatch
• Administer IVs and medications
• Communicate with patients

Field experience in ambulances:

• Demonstrate basic life support skills
• Strengthen advanced patient assessment skills
• Administer IVs and medications
• Monitor cardiac rhythms and EKGs
• Complete 20 team lead calls

By the end of the program, you will be proficient in both life support and patient assessment. Our clinical and field experiences prepare you to serve as a team leader capable of running an emergency call from start to finish.

Sample Courses

Visit our academic catalog for a complete listing of program requirements, including prerequisites, general education requirements, electives, and a sample schedule.

View Full Curriculum

Sample core courses you'll take in this program include:

• EMCR 200 - Emergency Medical Technician - Original
• EMCR 265 - Paramedic I
• EMCR 270 - Paramedic II
• HCS 153 - Fundamentals of Health Care
• HCS 270 - Ethical Considerations in Health Care

CAAHEP Accreditation

The Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic program at Finger Lakes Community College 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).

Finger Lakes Community College strives to prepare paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

EMT - Paramedic Program Outcomes

In accordance with CAAHEP Standards, FLCC publishes the program outcomes annually.

For the most recent 5-year period, our outcomes are:

• 97% success rate for the National Registry of EMT Paramedic/State Cognitive exam
• 96% positive placement rate for graduates
• 66% retention rate

The CoAEMSP defines positive placement as "employed full or part-time in a related field and/or continuing his/her education and/or serving in the military." Positive placement is measured at the completion of the program.

View our most recent Program Outcomes Data Sheet for more information.