The medical field is constantly evolving and so is the scope of practice for paramedics. Enrolling in continuing education programs is essential for paramedics looking to have the skills needed to respond to medical emergencies. This article covers the best paramedic certificates that can prepare you for this field.
Each paramedic certificate program listed below is accredited, guaranteeing that you’ll get the advanced EMT training you need to get your paramedic license after graduating. We’ve also included a list of the best paramedic college certificate jobs, their average salaries, job outlooks, and education requirements to help you make the most out of your certificate program.
What Is a Paramedic Certificate College Program?
A paramedic certificate college program is a short, specialized, intensive training program offered by a college or university. A certificate program focuses on a limited set of topics that help prospective emergency medical technicians qualify for entry-level jobs. Paramedic certificate programs are much shorter than degree programs and have lower admission requirements.
What’s the Difference Between a College Paramedic Certificate and Professional Certification in Paramedic?
The difference between a college paramedic certificate and professional certification is that a paramedic certificate is an educational program offered by a college or university, whereas a professional certification is formal proof of a professional’s skills awarded by a recognized regulatory body. Certification is essential for healthcare professionals to prove their competency to potential employers.
Paramedic College Certificate vs Paramedic Certification: Key Differences
| Paramedic Certificate | Paramedic Certification |
|---|---|
| Awarded by a college or university | Awarded by an industry-recognized regulatory body |
| Does not expire | Needs to be renewed |
| Meant for beginners to learn the skills needed to become competent entry-level paramedics or to transfer to a degree program | Meant for experienced paramedics to formally demonstrate their advanced knowledge and paramedic skills to prospective employers |
How Long Does It Take To Get a Paramedic Certificate at College?
It takes three months to two years to get a paramedic certificate at college, depending on whether they are designed to be taken on a part-time or full-time basis. That being said, most certificate programs take less than a year to complete and are designed to quickly equip learners with in-demand knowledge and skills.
Best Paramedic Certificate Undergraduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Bunker Hill Community College | Paramedic Certificate Program | $220/credit (in-state); $426/credit (out-of-state) |
| Center for MEDICS | Paramedic Training | $14,995 total |
| EMS Academy | Paramedic Program | $4,950 total |
| Palm Beach State College | Paramedic Credit Certificate | $83.40/credit (in-state); $327.30/credit (out-of-state) |
| St. Petersburg College | Paramedic Certificate | $111.75/credit (in-state); $386.90/credit (out-of-state) |
| SUNY Westchester Community College | Paramedic Certificate | $197/credit (resident) $493/credit (non-resident) |
| Tacoma Community College | Paramedic Certificate | $116.05/credit (in-state); $299.12/credit (out-of-state) |
| University of South Alabama | Paramedic Certificate Program | $393/credit (in-state); $786/credit (out-of-state) |
| University of California, Los Angeles | Accelerated Paramedic Program | $10,500 total (full-time); $16,000 total (part-time) |
| University of Washington | Paramedic Training Program | $25,000 total |
| Vermont Technical College | Paramedic Certificate | $613/credit (Resident) $1,712/credit (Non-resident) |
| Weber State University | Paramedic Program | $6,000 total |
Best Undergraduate Paramedic Certificate Programs: Explained
The best undergraduate paramedic certificate programs can be found across the country and offer a wide range of paramedic courses that will equip you with the basic knowledge you need to work in the emergency healthcare industry or transfer to a degree program. In the section below, you’ll find the cost, length, and learning format of each certificate program listed above.
Paramedic College Certificate Program vs Paramedic Associate Degree
A paramedic college certificate program differs from a paramedic associate degree program in a few ways. Primarily, these differences are related to each program’s cost, length, curriculum, and graduation requirements. Here’s a more detailed look at the differences between these two kinds of programs:
- Cost. The cost of a paramedic certificate program is typically less than that of an associate degree program. This is primarily due to certificate programs being shorter in length than associate programs and the fact that many certificate programs charge a flat fee for their program.
- Curriculum. An associate degree program in paramedics usually provides a more in-depth curriculum compared to a certificate program. In addition to technical courses, an associate degree program seeks to increase your knowledge level across a broader range of topics through general education and elective courses.
- Length. The typical length of an associate degree program is two years when attending on a full-time basis. Paramedic certificate programs, meanwhile, can usually be completed in under a year, sometimes within a matter of months.
- Graduation requirements. Associate degree programs usually have more graduation requirements than certificate programs. While associate degree programs usually require the completion of 60 credits, paramedic certificate programs typically only need about 45 credits or simply require the completion of a specific number of courses.
Best Online Associate Degrees
[query_class_embed] online-*subject-associate-degrees
Best Associate Degrees
[query_class_embed] *subject-associate-degrees
Is an Undergraduate Paramedic Certificate Worth It?
Yes, an undergraduate paramedic certificate is worth it. In fact, a paramedic certificate is the most common pathway used to become a paramedic. After earning your EMT and Advanced EMT certification, a paramedic certificate is the best education program you can use to land entry-level positions performing paramedic functions.
Paramedic Certificate Program Coursework
The paramedic certificate program coursework is typically very similar across different programs. The typical curriculum includes classes such as pharmacology, paramedical clinical, management of cardiovascular emergencies, epidemiology, and life support techniques, which will help you work in the field of medicine as a certificate holder.
Pharmacology
Most paramedic certificate programs have a course on pharmacology. In a pharmacology course, you’ll learn about the origin, properties, composition, and reactions of different types of drugs. You’ll then master how to administer and properly use these drugs in different situations to ensure the optimal patient experience.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
Paramedical Clinical
Learning the essential clinical services to give patients under the supervision of a physician is an essential part of any paramedic certificate program. This is because paramedics and emergency medical technicians provide enormous amounts of support for doctors when assessing an injured person and providing treatment.
Management of Cardiovascular Emergencies
This course will teach you about the different approaches used when tending to cardiovascular emergencies, such as cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock. Cardiovascular emergencies are the most common emergencies brought to a hospital’s emergency department, making this course commonplace across all curricula.
Life Support Techniques
As a prospective paramedic, you must learn the various life support techniques essential to performing your job correctly. In a course on life support techniques, you’ll master how to keep a patient’s flow of oxygen through, for example, electric shocks or medication administration.
Epidemiology
The coursework of an epidemiology course will also take you through the prevalence, causes, treatments, and determinants of different diseases. This course will help you and the patients you’ll care for stay safer.
Best Online College Courses for Credit
[query_class_embed] online-college-*subject-courses
What Can You Do With a Paramedic Certificate from College?
With a paramedic certificate from college, you can work as a health information technician, critical care paramedic, clinical laboratory technician, firefighter, or medical assistant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, all of these positions have positive projected job growth, making them all great potential careers for certificate holders.
Best Paramedic Jobs and Careers With a Certificate
| Job Role | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinical Laboratory Technician | $57,800 |
| Firefighter | $50,700 |
| Health Information Technician | $45,240 |
| Medical Assistant | $37,190 |
| Critical Care Paramedic | $36,930 |
Best Paramedic Certificate Jobs and Careers: Explained
The best paramedic certificate jobs and careers feature plenty of incentives, a high projected job growth, and good salaries. In the following section, you’ll find the average salaries, job outlooks, and educational requirements of the jobs listed in the table above.
Should I Also Get a Paramedic Certification?
Yes, you should also get a paramedic certification. Professional certification is a great way of helping you formally demonstrate your skills and advanced knowledge. Professional certification plays an important part in the employment of emergency medical technicians as it gives some a competitive edge over others. Below is a list of some of the best paramedic certifications.
Best Paramedic Certifications
- Certified Equipment Manager (CMP). This certification offered by the Association of Equipment Management Professionals is common among ambulance drivers, firefighters, and flight paramedics and can showcase your capability in handling equipment. The certification exam costs $650 for non-members.
- Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS). American Red Cross issues this certification to professionals who have problem-solving skills in driving better patient outcomes. This certification is a common prerequisite for paramedic certificate programs across the country. Its cost can vary but is typically around $90.
- Emergency Medical Services. The American Board of Emergency offers this certification to professionals dealing with prehospital patient care and transport. The eight-hour, 300-question exam costs $470 to apply for and $1,745 to register for.
- Nationally Registered Paramedic. The paramedic certification offered by the Nationally Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians is open to professionals with at least two years of education and training. This certification requires renewal after two years and costs $152 to apply for.
- Community Paramedic Certification (CP-C). You can use this certification offered by the International Board of Speciality Certification to validate your skills in mobile-based healthcare beyond the traditional hospital setup. The exam takes 2.5 hours to complete and has 135 questions. The fee for non-members is $385 and $285 for members.
Best Professional Certifications
[query_class_embed] *subject-certifications
Is a College Certificate for Paramedics Worth It?
Yes, a college certificate for paramedics is worth it. These certificate programs allow students to learn the in-demand skills and advanced knowledge required to work in the industry. Its courses also play an instrumental role in helping professionals prepare for professional certification exams.
Paramedic Certificates FAQ
Yes, a paramedic certificate program is affordable compared to other learning paths. Associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs tend to be quite costly, and many certificate programs offer flexible payment options.
It takes about two to three years to become a paramedic, depending on the program you enroll in. To become a paramedic, you must first earn your EMT and AEMT certifications, which takes about a year. After this, you must complete a paramedic certificate program, which can take up to 16 months to complete.
No, you do not need a paramedic professional certification to land a high-paying job. That being said, professional certifications can be extremely beneficial in validating your professional skills to employers, which can consequently lead to landing higher-paying jobs.
No, a paramedic professional certification is not better than a college certificate program as they serve different purposes. Earning professional certification after completing a college certificate program is the best way to become a paramedic.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
