Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic
EMTs and paramedics are first responders who provide urgent medical attention to those in need. If you envision yourself helping others in emergency situations, you're exploring the right career path.
Career Outlook: First Responders
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.
EMT - Paramedic Programs
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.
FLCC offers two EMT-to-paramedic pathways:
A.A.S. EMT - Paramedic
This 63-credit degree program prepares you for a career in the emergency medical field. You’ll be qualified to meet the city, state, and federal requirements to become a certified paramedic in New York. Communications and EMS management courses help you to move up the career ladder into administrative and leadership positions. General education courses round out the curriculum and strengthen the soft skills that employers value.
EMT - Paramedic Certificate Program
This 32-credit certificate program provides the essential training EMTs need to become certified paramedics in New York. The certificate program focuses on the medical skills and field expertise that paramedics must have to offer the highest level of pre-hospital care to their patients. For those interested in continuing their education, a shared core curriculum makes transfer into the A.A.S. program simple. If you're already working as an EMT, the certificate program is the quickest path toward becoming a certified paramedic.
FLCC Accreditation Status: Letter of Review
Our EMT - Paramedic program has been issued a Letter of Review by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP Executive Office). This letter is NOT a CAAHEP accreditation status; it is a status signifying that a program seeking initial accreditation has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the accreditation standards through the Letter of Review Self Study Report (LSSR) and other documentation. A Letter of Review is recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for eligibility to take the NREMT's Paramedic credentialing examination(s). However, it is NOT a guarantee of eventual accreditation.
To contact CoAEMSP Executive Office: 8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312 Rowlett, TX 75088, (214)703-8445, FAX (214)703-8992, www.coaemsp.org
Our EMT - Paramedic program strives to prepare competent entry level emergency medical technicians and paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
In accordance with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Standard IV.B.2, all Letter of Review Paramedic Programs must publish their yearly results for NYS Written Exam Pass Rates, Paramedic Program Retention Rates, and Paramedic Positive Placement (Employment) Rates, as indicated below.
EMT - Paramedic Program Outcomes
CAAHEP Accredited Paramedic Programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2020, which included the following results:
- 94.4% success rate for the National Registry of EMT Paramedic/State Cognitive exam
- 94.4% positive placement rate for graduates
- 75% retention rate
Positive placement is defined by the CoAEMSP 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 completion of the program. View the 2017-2021 Program Outcomes Data Sheet 
for more information.