How do I become a paramedic?
Is your program accredited?
Do you have an Associate Degree program?
How long does it take to complete the CCSF Paramedic Program?
Where do the paramedic students complete the hospital and field internship?
How do I apply to the program?
If I am accepted, where and when do classes meet?
How do I become a paramedic?
You must first become an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). Visit the CCSF HCT Department website for further information on the EMT program. Once you have completed an EMT course and become a certified EMT in California, you should gain work experience, preferrably with a local EMS provider. Most paramedic programs require prehospital EMT experience of paramedic program applicants. See the Paramedic Program information flyer for more specific information on the CCSF Paramedic Program. Paramedics are healthcare professionals licensed by the State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority. See the following website for more details on obtaining a paramedic license in the State of California.
Is your program accredited?
Yes, the CCSF Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) after review by the Commission on the Accreditation of EMS Education Programs (CoAEMSP). The CCSF Paramedic Program accreditation number is 600218.
Do you have an Associate's Degree program?
Yes. We have both a certificate and associate degree program in paramedic.
How long does it take to complete the CCSF Paramedic Program?
The didactic and clinical phases take 12-15 months to complete (classroom work runs January through December; clinicals run through March). The field internship takes approximately 4-6 months to complete.
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Where do the paramedic students complete the hospital clinical and field internship time?
The CCSF Paramedic Program contracts with San Francisco General Hospital, Bay Area Kaiser Permanente facilities and many other hospital organizations around the Bay Area for clinical hospital time completed in the Emergency Department, OR, Pediatric Clinic, Labor & Delivery, Psychiatric Emergency and Intensive Care Unit. In addition, field clinical time is completed with many field providers and outreach teams in San Francisco.
Field internships may be completed through one of the CCSF contracted field internship providers which include American Medical Response (22 counties in Northern California), the San Francisco Fire Department, King American Ambulance, San Rafael Fire Department, Novato Fire Department or Berkeley Fire Department.
How do I apply to the CCSF Paramedic Program?
We are not currently accepting appications for the Paramedic Program. The next application period will begin in the Fall of 2013 for entrance into the Spring 2014 class. All applicants must take an entrance examination, which consists of 100 multiple-choice questions based upon the EMT-1 Scope of Practice. Applications are screened for test score, completion of prerequisites (see Program flyer) and strength of recommendations and final notifications are mailed out in December. Call the main office at 415-561-1900 to place your name on the mailing list for notification about the next information meeting.
If I am accepted into the Program, where and when do classes meet?
The classroom and skills labs are located at the John Adams Campus at 1860 Hayes Street (x Masonic) in San Francisco near the panhandle of Golden Gate Park. Classes meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm during the Spring, Summer and Fall Semesters. During the Spring Year 1 semester, the EMT 104 course meets on 12 consecutive Tuesdays. Clinical hospital and field internship hours are completed in addition to classroom hours.