Paramedic Program

Course Description

Paramedic student seated at deskThis 1,326-hour Paramedic Program allows you to test with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and then apply for state certification. It follows the 2021 National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Education Standards, the 2023 Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) Student Minimum Competency (SMC) and Washington State paramedic education standards.

This program takes anywhere from 10-14 months to complete. The goal and minimum expectation of the program is to prepare paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Course Overview

The paramedic program runs once per year, starting in October. This three-phase program consists of:

  • 29 weeks or 696 hours of intensive classroom and lab training, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.
  • Minimum of 270 hours of supervised hospital clinical time
  • Minimum of 360 hours of supervised field internship time
    • Clinical rotations and capstone field internships are available at a number of approved locations.

Credentials obtained: Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Medical Life Support and Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support

Course Registration and Application Process

You can register and pay for the application fee online. Enrollment into the Paramedic Program is a 4-step process.

  • Step 1: Meet all eligibility requirements listed below and register for the application fee.
  • Step 2: Complete and submit the application and required documentation that is emailed to you upon registration.
  • Step 3: Take a computer-based test that includes reading comprehension, basic emergency medical training (EMT), anatomy and physiology, mathematics and a personality assessment.
  • Step 4: If selected, complete an in-person panel interview.

Applications for this course are accepted in the application window from March 1 –  June 30. Applicants must be available for testing in July and interviews in August if they're selected. 

A maximum of 26 students will be accepted on a competitive basis.

Register Online

Important Dates

  • Paramedic Program Application Window: March 1 – June 30
  • Applicant Computer Based Testing: July 1 – 30
  • Applicant Panel Interviews: August 1 – 20
  • Acceptance Letters Sent Out: August 21-31
  • Program Start Date: 3rd Week of October each year

Paramedic Program Outcomes

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)-Accredited Paramedic Programs track and report outcome measures annually to CoAEMSP.

The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2023.

  • The success rate for the National Registry of EMT Paramedic/State Cognitive exam was 100%.
  • The positive placement rate for graduates was 100%.
  • The retention rate was 94.1%.

For a full list of school accreditation information, policies and procedures, download a current copy of the School Policy Manual.

Course Tuition and Projected Fees

NOTE: These expenses are to help the paramedic student anticipate some of the costs associated with the Paramedic Program. It’s an estimate only and doesn’t include the expenses associated with incidentals, travel, etc. These expenses are subject to change without notice.

  • Application fee: $75
  • Tuition: $11,880
  • Textbook bundle (required): $1150
  • Lab fees: $950
  • Anticipated program expenses: $13,980

Books and lab fees are due upon acceptance into the program. The remaining balance can be paid over a 24-month period with no fees or interest. Payment plans are set up on Day 1 of class. This program is eligible for veterans to use their GI Bill® to cover the cost of the program.

Accreditation

The Providence St. Luke's Rehabilitation Medical Center Paramedic Program is accredited by CAAHEP upon the recommendation of CoAEMSP.

Washington State Program Approval Information

Health Training is a Washington State-Approved EMS Training Program with a training program credential number of 60114613-PRO. For questions or concerns, please contact the Washington State Department of Health:

This school is also licensed under Chapter 28C.10 RCW. The Paramedic Program is approved by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board’s State Approving Agency (WTECB/SAA) for enrollment of those eligible to receive benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, USC.

Articulation

Central Washington University (CWU)

Students have the opportunity to earn a maximum of 44 credits for prior learning to meet partial requirements for a Bachelor of Science in EMS Paramedicine Degree from CWU.

Columbia Southern University (CSU)

Students have the opportunity to earn 30 CSU credit hours toward an Associate of Science in EMS Degree Program or other undergraduate CSU degree programs.

Testing and Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a certificate of completion, allowing them to take the National Registry of EMTs cognitive computer adaptive test (CAT). Successful completion of the national examination then allows the students to complete the Washington State Department of Health Paramedic Certification Application Packet.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

  • Completed Paramedic Program application packet in its entirety along with a $75 application fee
    • Incomplete application packets won’t be considered.
  • Valid driver’s license or state issued identification
  • Evidence of high school graduation or its equivalent
  • High school, GED or any post-high school transcripts, i.e., technical school and/or college
  • Copy of current state EMT and/or National Registry Basic certificate or advanced level certificates
    • At the time the application is submitted, the applicant must have at least one year’s experience as a certified EMT or equivalent pre-hospital experience.
  • One letter of reference from the applicant’s immediate supervisor
  • Written or typed essay describing the applicant's EMS experience
    • The essay must be 500 words or less.

Upon acceptance into the program applicants must:

  • Submit evidence of successful completion (grade of C+ or better) of a college-level anatomy and physiology course or the Corexcel online course
  • Submit evidence of successful completion (grade of C+ or better) of a medical terminology course or successful completion of the Corexcel online program
  • Pass a federal criminal background check
    • Acceptance into the program is contingent upon an acceptable report from this agency.
  • Submit a copy of a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Card

All acceptance is contingent on completion of these requirements.

Program Acceptance

The decision to accept an applicant into the Paramedic Program is a competitive process based on the following: 

  • Complete application packet
  • Applicant’s essay
  • Passing the computer-based EMT and math exams with a minimum of 70%
  • Personal interview with the Paramedic Program selection committee
  • Successful completion of the anatomy and physiology course (grade of C+ or better)
  • Successful completion of the medical terminology course (grade of C+ or better)

Local applicants with active employment by an ambulance or fire service are given priority for entrance into the Paramedic Program.

All applicants will be notified in writing regarding their acceptance or rejection into the Paramedic Program. A wait list will be maintained for the program until the end of the second full week of class.