Emergency Training Services is now accepting application for their Spring Paramedic Program. The ETS/ROP Paramedic Program can usually be completed over the course of 9 months to 1 year. It is comprised of 1,234 hours of training divided into three categories: didactic (classroom), clinical internship and field internship.
Didactic sessions meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in the Fall and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in the Spring, for approximately 25 weeks. These are 8-hour daytime sessions. Areas of study will include advanced instruction in topics such as: anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, drug administration, EKG interpretation, airway management, toxicology, pediatrics, chemical dependency, obstetrics and ALS strategies for all major medical and trauma emergencies.
After the 15th week of instruction, students begin clinical internships that last a minimum of 160 hours. Each student will be assigned a nurse preceptor, who will guide them through the practice of skills and techniques in a hospital setting. A typical clinical internship schedule will include 3, 8-hour shifts per week for 2 months. Some of the hospitals we maintain contracts with include: Stanford Medical Center, Kaiser Santa Clara and Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz.
The field internship phase consists of a minimum of 480 hours of active paramedic application. Each student is assigned to a paramedic unit to act as an integral member of the mobile intensive care team. The student, while under the supervision of a paramedic preceptor, will apply principles of paramedic care to patients in the field setting. We maintain contracts with AMR - the largest emergency care provider in the US, many fire departments in California, and a few out of state. A typical field internship schedule will include 2-3, 24-hour or 8-hour shifts per week for 3-6 months.
The ETS Paramedic Program is accredited by CAAHEP and ABHES.
Prerequisites
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and posses a high school diploma or equivalent. Candidates must be currently certified as an EMT at the time of application. Candidates must be free from any felony convictions.
Classes recommended for course preparation include: anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and chemistry.
How to apply
There will be two Paramedic Programs scheduled per academic year. Applications will be available in the spring and fall. Applicants that meet all requirements will be accepted for a screening process. This process may include aptitude testing and an interview. The screening and interview process commences in the summer for entry into the fall program. Screening begins in the winter for entry into the spring program. Complete details will be included in the application packet. If you would like an application packet, please call the office and we will put you on the mailing list. The tuition is $12,000. Tuition includes all books, uniforms and internship fees.
Career Opportunities
The ETS/ROP graduate has several career paths available. Paramedics are employed in private ambulance companies and fire departments. Salaries start at about $35,000 per year. Salaries and benefit packages vary with each employer. To become employed at an ambulance company or fire department, an ambulance driver’s certificate or appropriate class driver’s license, as well as a high level of physical agility is required. Such employers usually require criminal background checks prior to hiring. All classes are held at our training center in Santa Cruz California. This is not an on-line course.