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Paramedic Certificate of Achievement

The mission of the Paramedic Program is to provide a strong educational foundation so the future paramedics may improve the health and welfare of Kern County by providing the highest quality prehospital emergency medical care. The Paramedic Program is designed to provide students with the education and experience to perform as competent, entry level Paramedics. The program consists of a minimum of 1094 hours of instruction which is divided into three distinct sessions: didactic/classroom instruction (minimum of 454 hours), clinical lab (minimum of 160 hours), and field internship (minimum of 480 hours). Upon completion of the program, graduates will earn a Certificate of Achievement and are eligible to take the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic examination (NREMT-P) which is required for paramedic licensure in the state of California.

Application Procedures:

Seats are limited. To be fully eligible for enrollment into the Paramedic Program, it is the student’s responsibility to that the following is completed prior the end of the application period held in the month of February:

  1. Fill out an application form obtained from the Taft College website.
  2. Provide proof of high school completion (diploma or high school transcript) or GED – general education equivalent.
  3. Provide a copy of current valid EMT card (State of California EMT and/or NREMT).
  4. Provide a copy of a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card.
  5. Provide a copy of California driver’s license Health Requirements and Screenings after a student receives notification of enrollment into the Program and as a condition of enrollment students must complete all the following: 
    1. Background Check - As a condition of enrollment into any Allied Health Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to submit to and pass a designated background screen. Please note the following: 
      1. A history of legal conviction(s), or any other convictions which bar a person from participation in a federal program, could render a student ineligible for clinical placement (see section 100174 of California’s Title 22 - Division 9, Chapter 4).
      2. If a student cannot obtain background clearance from the clinical agencies, it will not be possible to place the student in the clinical areas, which is a required component of the Program.
      3. If a student cannot obtain a background clearance due to background restrictions, the space will be forfeited.
      4. Students who are found to be ineligible for clinical placement by the clinical agency after admission to the radiography program shall be subject to dismissal from the Program, as they will be unable to complete mandatory clinical rotations.
    2. Drug/Alcohol Screening - Students are required to submit to and pass a designated drug and alcohol screening.
    3. Vaccinations / Immunizations / Titers – Students must show proof the appropriate immunizations /vaccinations have been obtained.
    4. Mask Fit Test - The clinical education centers affiliated with Taft College require all Nursing/Allied Health students to be fitted for a mask that will be used when treating patients with respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, H1N1, flu, etc. The mask type is called N95 and comes in small and regular sizes. Students need to be properly fitted to determine which mask size best fits their facial anatomy. Testing of all students will be done annually as facial size may change. This test is mandatory for all students.
    5. Physical Exam - A physical examination must be completed by a physician or Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant of the student’s choice using the college’s forms. The Physical Exam, drug and alcohol screen, background screen, Immunizations, and health tests are performed at the expense of the student. The physical exam demonstrates the student can achieve the physical and technical standards necessary to meet the Program’s objectives.
    6. CPR & AED Card – The student must possess a current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers (CPR & AED) card. This card must be provided at the start of the Program and be kept valid during the entire Program.

Limitation on Enrollment:

As a condition of enrollment in the Paramedic Program, students are required to submit to and pass a designated background check. Every student offered space in the program will be required to submit to a background screening as part of his or her clinical requirements for admission. Please note the following:

  • A history of felony conviction(s) or any bar, exclusion or other ineligibility for federal program participation could render a student ineligible for clinical placement, as determined by the clinical agencies.
  • If a student cannot obtain background clearance from the clinical agencies and field internship agencies, it will not be possible to place the student in the clinical/internship areas, which is a required component of the program. If a student cannot obtain background clearance, the space will be forfeited. Students who are found to be ineligible for clinical placement by the clinical agency and/ or field internship after admission to the program shall be subject to dismissal from the program, as they will be unable to complete mandatory clinical/field internship rotations.
  • A physical examination completed by a physician of the student’s choice is required after acceptance to the Program to demonstrate that a student meets the technical standards necessary to meet the Program objectives. Appropriate immunizations and/or vaccinations and mask fit testing are also required and are performed at the student’s expense.

Licensure/Certification Eligibility:

Upon completion of the program students are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination for licensure as a paramedic. Conviction of any offenses other than minor traffic violations must be reported to the Sacramento Emergency Medical Services Authority of California at the time of application for licensure. Anyone who desires further clarification may contact the EMS Authority at (916) 322-4336. The program is also approved by Kern County Emergency Medical Services as meeting the EMS Education Standards as specified in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and the National Highway transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) Paramedic Curriculum. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits Taft College programs.

Prerequisite Requirements:

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course with current EMT licensure and valid cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Card

Career Opportunities:

Paramedics are typically employed by ambulance companies, private industry, and fire departments to provide emergency care in case of illness or injury.

To Achieve the Certificate of Achievement:

Upon completion of the required courses with at least a ‘C’ or ‘P’ grade in each course, the student will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement.

COA Requirements

Requirements List

Prerequisite Requirements:

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course with current EMT licensure and valid cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Card

HLED1600Paramedic I with Laboratory

14.5 Credits(s)
HLED1601Advanced Paramedic with Laboratory

14.5 Credits(s)
HLED1602Paramedic, Acute Clinical Laboratory, and Field Experience

13.5 Credits(s)
Total Credit Hours:42.5

Total Credit Hours: 42.5