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    • Admissions Process for Paramedic Program

    South Florida State College’s Paramedic program is a limited access program that accepts a maximum of 18 students each fall and spring term. Applicants must submit two applications: the general student application to South Florida State College and when accepted into the program, provide additional documentation as denoted in Step 3. Applicants are not considered for admission to the Paramedic program until all of their required records are filed with the Admissions Office, and it is the applicant’s responsibility to provide these records. The EMS Department reserves the right to deny admission to any student who lacks the necessary qualifications for the Paramedic program.

    Step 1: South Florida State College Admissions Requirements

    If you are not currently enrolled in SFSC, complete these requirements through the SFSC Admissions Office General Application Link. If you are a current student, contact the program administrative office for information regarding how to update your current SFSC student application.
    Submit your official high school transcript, GED, or equivalent, verifying that you have graduated from high school. Each transcript must come directly from your school to the SFSC Admissions Office via the mail or by electronic transfer.
     
    Submit the official transcript from each college in which you attended credit courses. Transcripts for certificate programs such as Minimum Fire Standards are not required.
     
    If you have been convicted of certain crimes, you may be disqualified from admission to the Paramedic program. Before you complete prerequisite courses and other pre-admission requirements, read the material on Program Disqualification Due to Past Convictions to determine whether state laws allow you to work as a health care provider.
     

    Step 2: Paramedic Program Application Process
    Create scanned PDF copies of the following documents to upload during the online application process:
    • Your Florida Driver’s License showing that you are age 18 or older.
    • Proof that you have completed a State of Florida-approved EMT-Basic training program if you did not complete this program at SFSC
    • Essay describing why you want to become a paramedic (points applied to the selection process below)
    • Resume describing your education and work history (points applied to the selection process below)

    Selection Process

    Priority for admission is given as follows:

    Currently employed with rural 911 EMS/fire and rescue department 40 points
    Currently employed with non-rural 911 EMS/Fire rescue department 30 points
    Currently employed with rural non-emergency transport service 20 points
    Currently employed in a non-EMS medical profession (nursing, etc.) 10 points
    Currently an EMT but not employed in the field 5 points
    Not currently certified as an EMT 0 points

     

    Resume 5 points
    Essay 5 points
    Bachelor’s degree or higher 25 points
    AA/AS degree 15 points
    30 or more college credit hours without a degree 10 points
    Some college credits 5 points
    No college credits 0 points
    EMS/Rescue Experience (1 point per year, maximum 25 points) 25 points
    Total 100 points

    SFSC reserves the right to deny admission to anyone who lacks the required qualifications. Applicants are not guaranteed acceptance because they have completed their application package or met the minimum requirements for admission. Candidates may need to reapply if they wish to be considered for a subsequent class. Each class is selected from a new applicant pool.

    Step 3: Requirements After Acceptance to the Paramedic Program
    If you are among the successful candidates, you will receive an email to the address provided on your College application containing information on the mandatory program orientation and directions on how to submit the following documentation:
    • Florida Driver’s License or other state of Florida-approved identification, showing that you are 18 years old or older
    • Copy of your current state of Florida EMT certification

    Completion of the following forms is required by our clinical partners and must be submitted directly to the EMS Program administration, located in the Public Safety Building, Room CC-102:
    At the mandatory Paramedic program orientation, applicants submitting all required documents will be given an authorization to register for Paramedic program courses. You may submit the documents before this date by contacting the EMS Program Director: Steve Ashworth, ashworts@southflorida.edu, 863-784-7272.
     
    During the mandatory program orientation, you will be provided with directions related to the last requirements for the EMT Program.
    • 10-panel drug screen: As required by our clinical partners, all EMT students must submit to a 10-panel urine drug screen (at the student’s expense). The required date for the submission of these requirements will be determined by the program director. Students who fail the drug screen (positive test for a banned substance or inability to provide an appropriate prescription for other drugs) will be administratively removed from the program.

    • Criminal background check: As required by our clinical partners, all EMT students must submit to a criminal background check. The method and required date of submission will be determined by the program director. Students with a criminal history will be required to submit documentation explaining any conviction of any crime. Please contact the program administration for a list of crimes that may prevent you from attending the EMT program. At a minimum, all applicants with a record of convictions will receive counseling from SFSC regarding certification and employability.
    Before the end of the first semester, you must produce proof that you have a valid State of Florida EMT certification. 

    General Information

    SFSC is a drug-free campus.