EMT Paramedics provide a vital service to our community, giving immediate care in emergency situations and transporting the sick or injured to medical facilities. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, a publication developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, employment opportunities for qualified professionals are forecast to grow at a rate that is faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010.

Population growth as well as a large segment of the population (aging baby boomers) will further influence the need for EMTs. Employment opportunities will be best for those who complete advance certification, such as FLCC’s EMT-Paramedic program, as clients and patients demand higher levels of care before arriving at the hospital. Graduates of our program will be prepared for positions with commercial or independent ambulance services; municipal fire, police, or rescue squads; and hospitals.

FLCC's Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic certificate program is designed to provide students who are already certified as New York State Emergency Medical Technicians at the Basic level with advanced training opportunities and career growth. The 18-month program delivers instruction through lecture, lab experiences, clinical lessons, and field training.

The curriculum also prepares students to take the New York State Paramedic Certification exams and the National Registry of EMT-Paramedic exam, and to obtain American Heart Association certification in basic cardiac life support, advanced cardiac life support, and pediatric advanced life support.

Admission to the College is a prerequisite to enrolling in EMT-Paramedic certificate program. For more information about applying for admission or to request an application, contact the Admissions Office at (585)394-3500, ext. 7278. For more information about EMS courses and the EMT-Paramedic certificate program, contact the Finger Lakes Regional Emergency Medical Service Council at (315)789-0108 or visit www.flremsc.org.

FLCC's intensive program gives students an opportunity to learn in the classroom and in the field. Students are required to complete 372 hours of in-hospital clinical field experience in emergency departments, operating rooms, intensive care units, psychiatric treatment units, labor/delivery rooms, and other specialized care units. They are also required to complete a 100 to 200-hour field internship with area advanced life support ambulance services.

The curriculum and objectives of each course follow the USDOT paramedic course outline. Classes will be held through the College in affiliation with the Finger Lakes Regional EMS Council located at the Ontario County Safety Training Facility as well as other clinical locations throughout the area.

Graduates from this program will be prepared to accept positions as EMT-Paramedics. They will also be prepared to take the New York State Paramedic Certification exams, the National Registry of EMT-Paramedic exam, and to obtain American Heart Association certification in basic cardiac life support, advanced cardiac life support, and pediatric advanced life support.

Earnings for EMTs and paramedics depend largely on employment setting, geographic location, training, and experience. The most recent Occupational Outlook Handbook reports the median annual earnings as $22,460. Additionally, demand remains for part-time volunteers especially in rural or smaller metropolitan areas.