2024-25 Catalog

Emergency Medical Services Technology

Associate in Science Degree (CIP# 1351090402)

  • EMT (Emergency Medical Technology) Technical Certificate
  • Paramedic Technology Technical Certificate

Limited-Access

This program adheres to all current standards and regulations established by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the State of Florida Department of Health/Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, and the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession.

The EMS degree program is designed for students who desire a career in out-of-hospital emergency medicine. The program will prepare the student for state board certification or national registry as an emergency medical technician and a paramedic. Through a comprehensive program consisting of theory, clinical and field internship, the student will develop skills for assuming the role of basic and advanced life support provider. Students must successfully complete the state board certification for Emergency Medical Technician before admission to the Paramedic Certificate Program.

Emergency Medical Technology (EMT) Technical Certificate and Paramedic Certificate students are encouraged to continue their studies for the A.S. degree. To earn the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) degree, a student must complete the EMT Technical Certificate and the Paramedic Certificate as well as the general education and elective component.

General admission procedures for this program are found in the Admissions section of this catalog. The Division of Allied Health provides information about specific admission criteria.

Estimated program expenses are given in the Financial section of this catalog.

A minimum grade of C is required in all courses to meet prerequisite and graduation requirements. Any student admitted to the EMS program who fails or withdraws from any two EMS courses (can be the same course or two different courses) must petition the Health Sciences EMS Program Committee for re-evaluation and readmission. Students will be allowed to petition no more than one time.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult their campus based Allied Health Program Advisor for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals.

Emergency Medical Services Technology

Associate in Science Degree

  • Satisfy the college entry testing requirements and satisfactorily complete all mandatory courses in reading, New Student Experience (SLS 1122), mathematics, English, and English for Academic Purposes in which you are placed.
  • Complete all EMT and paramedic coursework.
  • Complete all General Education and elective coursework.

EMT Technical Certificate (CIP # 0351090415)

Prior to beginning the program, students must document the following:

  • Current criminal background check, and if also required, finger-printing
  • Drug testing
  • Physical exam forms
  • Records with up to date immunization data
  • Attend mandatory orientation

Paramedic Technology Certificate (CIP # 0351090405)

Limited-Access

The Paramedic Certificate is a limited-access program. Admission to Valencia does not imply acceptance to the Paramedic Certificate Program; students must apply and be accepted into the program.

Florida-certified paramedics who have completed a Florida-approved paramedic program accredited through CAAHEP will receive, through transfer, applicable credits for Valencia’s Paramedic Certificate program.

Prior to beginning the program, students must document the following:

  • Current criminal background check, and if also required, finger-printing
  • Drug testing
  • Physical exam forms
  • Records with up to date immunization data
  • Attend mandatory orientation

Admission requirements for the Paramedic Technology Certificate are:

  • Review the general admission requirements for Health Sciences programs in the Admissions section of this catalog.
  • Submit a completed Valencia College Application for Admission and be in active student status.
  • Submit verification of completion of an equivalent 12 credits EMT certification program from a regionally accredited school.
  • Submit a verification of current Florida EMT license.
  • Have a minimum overall college GPA of 2.0 (including transfer work).
  • Submit the completed Valencia Paramedic program application with the application fee by the deadline.

Alternative Ways to Earn Credit toward this Degree

If you have earned your certification as a an EMT, you may be eligible to receive credit toward this A.S. degree. For more information, visit: https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/as-degree/credit-industry-certification-agreements.php.

Start Right

Degree-seeking students enrolling at Valencia for the first time will have a limited range of courses from which to choose for their first 18 college-level credits. Within the first 18 college credit hours, you will be required to take ENC1101 (3 credits), and if applicable, SLS 1122 (3 credits) and a mathematics course appropriate to your selected meta-major (3 credits).  The remaining courses will be chosen from the General Education Core Courses in humanities (3 credits), science (3 credits), or social science (3 credits), and/or the introductory courses within the A.S. degree programs. For specific courses see the Foundation Courses on the “Program Requirements” tab.

For course sequencing recommendations, see your campus based Allied Health Program Advisor or create an education plan by logging into Atlas, clicking on the LifeMap tab and clicking My Education Plan.

Potential Careers

Salary & Earnings Information

For career information related to this program, please visit O*Net OnLine.

Contacts

Future Students

To learn more about this program, contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@valenciacollege.edu or 407-582-1507 or visit https://valenciacollege.edu/emergency-services/

Current Students

Active Valencia students who are pending program acceptance may meet with the pending Allied Health Program Advisor in the campus Student Services department. For Information Sessions, Admission Guides, Program Applications, and the most updated information, visit the website at: https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/health-sciences/index.php. Accepted, in-program students will meet with their assigned Career Program Advisor after confirming acceptance.

Your Career Program Advisor contact information can be found in Atlas. Log into Atlas, click on the Courses tab, and check your Academic Profile information to find a link to your Advisor. 

General Education and Elective Component

Program Outcomes

  • Perform entry level skills as described by the scope of practice for Paramedic.
  • Perform effective communication in the pre-hospital healthcare environment.
  • Structure a safe environment for patients in the pre-hospital setting.
  • Practice professional behaviors in the pre-hospital healthcare setting.
  • Execute safe clinical decision making in the pre-hospital environment
  • Manage the plan of care for patient’s in the pre-hospital healthcare environment.
ENC 1101FRESHMAN COMPOSITION I +*~3
Humanities See Gen. Ed. Core Requirements ~3
MathematicsSee Gen. Ed. Core Requirement +*~3
Science See Gen. Ed. Core Requirement ~3
POS 2041U.S. GOVERNMENT +~3
or AMH 2020 U.S. HISTORY 1877 TO PRESENT
PSY 2012GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY +~3
Electives1
EMT Technical Certificate Courses12
Paramedic Technical Certificate Courses42
Total Credit Hours73
+

This course must be completed with a grade of C or better.

*

 This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

~

 This is a general education course.

(GR)

Denotes a Gordon Rule course.

Notes:

All accepted applicants are required to submit applications through Valencia for a criminal background check and drug testing. Applicants for Valencia’s Health Sciences programs must be free of offenses that would disqualify them from a student clinical experience in a healthcare setting and must have their civil rights intact. This policy is in response to requirements by clinical agencies and state/federal regulations.

EMT courses and Paramedic courses are offered on the Osceola and West Campuses, and may not be be offered every session.

Additional education at the bachelor’s level and professional experience can enhance your skills and create more career opportunities. Students who wish to continue their education should consult with their Career Program Advisor to determine the best education plan for their career goals.

EMT

Technical Certificate

This program prepares students for state board certification as an emergency medical technician and focuses on the fundamentals of emergency healthcare in a pre-hospital environment. Students learn to administer basic life support functions.

Program Outcomes

  • Perform entry level skills as described by the scope of practice for EMT.
  • Perform effective communication in the pre-hospital healthcare environment.
  • Structure a safe environment for patients in the pre-hospital setting.
  • Practice professional behaviors in the pre-hospital healthcare setting.
  • Execute safe clinical decision making in the pre-hospital environment.
EMS 1119FUNDAMENTALS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY +^8
EMS 1119LFUNDAMENTALS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PRACTICE +^2
EMS 1431LEMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN CLINICAL PRACTICUM +^2
+

This course must be completed with a grade of C or better.

^

Course needed for State EMT Certification.

Paramedic Technology

Technical Certificate

This program prepares students for state board certification as a paramedic and focuses on advanced emergency healthcare in a  pre-hospital environment. Students learn to administer advanced life support, including cardiac, medical, trauma, pediatric and psychiatric illnesses.  

Program Outcomes

  • Perform entry level skills as described by the scope of practice for Paramedic.
  • Perform effective communication in the pre-hospital healthcare environment.
  • Structure a safe environment for patients in the pre-hospital setting.
  • Practice professional behaviors in the pre-hospital healthcare setting.
  • Execute safe clinical decision making in the pre-hospital environment.
Plan of Study Grid
Prerequisite for AdmissionCredit Hours
EMS 1010 ESSENTIALS OF HUMAN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 3
 Credit Hours3
Term 1
EMS 2603 PARAMEDIC I +* 6
EMS 2603L PARAMEDIC I LABORATORY + 2
EMS 2666L PARAMEDIC I CLINICAL + 4
EMS 2522 EMERGENCY PHARMACOLOGY + * 2
 Credit Hours14
Term 2
EMS 2604 PARAMEDIC II +* 8
EMS 2604L PARAMEDIC II LABORATORY + 2
EMS 2667L PARAMEDIC II CLINICAL + 4
 Credit Hours14
Term 3
EMS 2605 PARAMEDIC III +* 3
EMS 2605L PARAMEDIC III LABORATORY + 1
EMS 2668L PARAMEDIC III CLINICAL + 3
EMS 2659L PARAMEDIC IV (PROVISIONAL FIELD INTERNSHIP) +* 4
 Credit Hours11
 Total Credit Hours42
+

This course must be completed with a grade of C or better.

*

This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog

^

BSC 2093C HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I and BSC 2094C HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II may be substituted for EMS 1010 ESSENTIALS OF HUMAN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION.  BSC 1084 may be substituted for EMS 1010.

This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid. 

Note: This is a limited access program. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as they meet the admission criteria.