The Paramedic program at Saddleback College is designed to prepare the student for licensure as a paramedic. It is an intense, full-time program consisting of lecture, skills lab, clinical practice, and field internship. The paramedic program can be completed in approximately 6.5 months.
Admission to the paramedic program requires a combination of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification and previous emergency response experience. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain coursework and experience prior to applying to the program.
Applicants will need a Saddleback College student ID number and email in order to apply.
High school diploma or equivalency.
Current California EMT license.
Current basic life support (CPR) card. This card must be an American Heart Association "Healthcare Provider". No Substitutions. This card must be valid throughout the duration of the class.
Minimum one year of full-time verified work experience as an EMT on an emergency response vehicle, such as a fire engine or private ambulance. This requirement is for both the one year and the hours which need to be equivalent to 160 per month over a 12 month period. Only signed and dated letters written on department/company letterhead will be considered as verification.
Paramedic Program Tuition and Fees - 33.5 Units
Tuition (33.5 units at $46 per unit)
$1,541
Material Fees
$210
Health Fees ($23 x 2 semesters)
$46
Parking Permit ($40 x 2 semesters)
$80
Books
$651
Background and Drug Screen
$92.75
Medical Document Management
$39.99
Insurance
$100
Uniform
$150
Supplies
$150
State License
$250
Live Scan
$51
National Registry Profile
$150
NR Written Exam
$180
NR Practical Exam
$180
Total Estimated Cost
$3,864.75
NOTE: Prices are estimates and are subject to change.
Students may be eligible for financial aid. If interested in applying, please visit Saddleback College's Student Financial Assistance & Scholarship Office https://www.saddleback.edu/fao
Course Title
Units
HSC 104 - Medical Terminology
3
HSC 217 - Cardiac Dysrhythmias
2
EMT 219 - Paramedic Preparation
4
HSC 108 - Disease Processes for the Health Sciences
3
Starting Fall 2024 the following courses will be pre requisites to applying for the paramedic program.
HSC 217 - Cardiac Dysrhythmias
2
EMT 219 - Paramedic Preparation
4
Future Classes
Application Period
Program Start Date
Class 87
September 21 - October 21, 2022
January 17, 2023
Class 88
April 21 - June 21, 2023
August 21, 2023
Class 89
September 15 - November 1, 2023
January 16, 2024
NOTE: Class 89 applicants will be notified of acceptance on November 8, 2023 through their Submittable account. Mandatory Information Session November 15, 2023 at 9 a.m. Details will be sent out to candidates upon official acceptance to the program.
Paramedic students will be required to obtain the following titers/immunizations/vaccines in order to complete program clinical requirements. It is highly encouraged to get started as soon as you are registered for PM 220 and PM 230.
Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Varicella
TDAP
Hepatitis B
TB skin test
COVID-19 vaccine/booster
Seasonal flu shot (when available)
Paramedic students are required to complete the following items. Failure to do so within the deadlines listed will result in you not moving forward in the program.
Immunizations/Titers/Physical
Spring 2024 Due Date: 1/24/2024
Summer 2024 Due Date: TBD
All Paramedic students are required to obtain a “Program Clearance” through the Student Health & Wellness Center, to do so you must make a telehealth appointment at https://studenthealth.saddleback.edu. This appointment will provide you with the information and necessary immunizations and titers required for your individual needs. Once you have completed your Telehealth appointment, the RN will discuss your options and needs for your Program Clearance. If you are not registered in any courses at Saddleback this semester, the link above will not let you proceed to making an appointment, please contact the Student Health & Wellness Center at (949) 582-4606 to make the telehealth appointment by phone. Click here to view the Student Health & Wellness Center office hours.
Required immunizations, titers, physical are listed on the packet. You may choose to use your own health care provider or get this done through the health center. If you use your own healthcare provider, they must fill out the “Evaluation & Recommendation” page included in your “Mandatory Health Assessments” packet. Once signed by your physician, you will submit this to the health center via fax.
All immunizations and lab results must be faxed to (949) 582-4227; cannot be emailed, as it is not HIPAA compliant for health care records. If you do not have access to a fax, you can download a fax app through your phone. You may also mail it (but fax is preferred):
Student Health Center-SSC 177
28000 Marguerite Parkway
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Program Clearances can take up to 3 months for necessary immunizations and or titers to be completed. Please do not delay in making your appointments. If you have any questions, please call the Student Health & Wellness Center at (949) 582-4606. YOU DO NOT NEED TO SUBMIT PROGRAM CLEARANCE TO US. THE HEALTH CENTER WILL EMAIL YOU A COPY AND CC US.
Health Insurance
Due Date: Must be valid for the length of the program.
Proof of health insurance is required. Students who do not have health insurance will need to find a basic plan that covers them through the semester. Individual plans can be found on the web at Covered California, Kaiser, Anthem, Blue Shield, Medi-cal, etc.
Professional Liability Insurance
Due Date: Must be valid for the length of the program.
Specifics will be given during the information session and first day orientation.
COVID Vaccine
At this time, the Paramedic clinical sites that provide clinical hours and patient contacts require all vaccinations including Covid-19 (primary series and one booster)
CastleBranch Background/Drug Test
Spring 2024 Due Date: 1/24/2024
Summer 2023 Due Date: TBD
All students will be required to complete a background/drug test. The package cost is $92.75. To place order visit: https://discover.castlebranch.com/.
Instructions: Select> “Place order” at the top right of page. Enter package code: SJ41bgdt. Within 24 hours of your order being placed, CastleBranch will register you to take your test with a lab in your area. Allow 5-7 days for results. The results will be sent to Saddleback automatically. YOU DO NOT NEED TO SUBMIT ANYTHING FOR THIS. We have access to see the results upon completion and will be tracking this. Once completed, you may view the report by accessing your account on the Castle Branch website. Your order will show “In Process” until it has been completed. The Paramedic Program Director has secure access to your account and will confirm that it has cleared via the website. If there are any problems, the Paramedic Program Director will contact you to discuss them with you confidentially. Similarly, if you have any concerns, you may contact the Paramedic Program Director to discuss them confidentially.
CastleBranch Compliance Tracker
Spring 2024 Due Date: 1/24/2024
Summer 2024 Due Date: TBD
To place order visit: https://discover.castlebranch.com/. Once you are on the CastleBranch site, select “Place order” at the top right of the page. Enter package code: SJ41im. The package cost is $39.99. Instructions on which documents need to be uploaded by students will be given in class.
Students will be directed on which documents need to be uploaded during the paperwork sessions that will be held during class on the due dates listed above.
Basic Life Support/CPR Card
Due Date: Prior to the first day of class every semester
Prior to the first day of class, you are required to have a valid BLS CPR card, must be through the American Heart Association (no other providers accepted) throughout the entire length of the program.
You can do the BLS Provider course at any authorized AHA Training Center, which you can find at https://cpr.heart.org, or check out the list below for some AHA Training Centers in the Orange County area. Please note that The CPR Lady will give a 10% discount to all Saddleback Paramedic students (when registering, use Promo Code “SADDLEBACK”)
To obtain your student ID card, you must be registered in a course at Saddleback. You may do so online or in person in the Admissions & Records office located in SSC 102 – see the Admissions & Records page for details. Once completed, the Admissions & Records office will print and distribute your card. You will carry your Student ID card on you in skill/clinical days.
Paramedic Class 89 Book List
Option #1 - Hardcover book and online access code
Nancy Caroline's Emergency Care in the Streets Premier Hybrid Access, Ninth Edition
ISBN: 9781284256840
Option #2 – E- Book and online access code
Nancy Caroline's Emergency Care in the Streets Premier Digital Package, Ninth Edition
2020 ACLS Provider Manual Paperback – January 1, 2021 Publisher: American Heart Association (January 1, 2021) SBN-10
1616697725
ISBN-13 978-1616697723
Paramedic Program Accreditation
The Saddleback Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
To contact CAAHEP:
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL. 33756 www.caahep.org
To contact CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
(214) 703-8845
FAX (214) 703-8992 www.coaemsp.org
The estimated cost of attendance at Saddleback College includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books
and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous
expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.
Expenses
Living With Parents (2 Semesters)
Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition & Fees
$1,426
$1,426
Books & Supplies
$938
$938
Living Expenses: Food & Housing
$12,656
$22,670
Personal & Misc.
$3,608
$4,428
Transportation
$1,612
$1,764
Total Resident
$20,240
$31,226
Total Non-Resident
$32,540
$43,526
Expenses
Living with Parents
Living Away from Parents
Tuition & Fees
$709
$709
Books & Supplies
$312
$312
Living Expenses: Food & Housing
$4,218
$7,557
Personal & Misc.
$1,203
$1,476
Transportation
$537
$588
Total Resident
$6,979
$10,642
Total Non-Resident
$13,129
$16,792
Expenses
Living With Parents
Living Away from Parents
Summer
Fall & Spring
Summer
Fall & Spring
Tuition & Fees
$1,426
$709
$1,426
$709
Books & Supplies
$938
$312
$938
$312
Transportation
$1,612
$537
$1,764
$588
Total Resident
$3,976
$1,558
$4,128
$1,609
Total Non-Resident
$16,275
$7,708
$16,428
$7,759
Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and Summer
Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $410 per unit ($365 non-resident tuition fee + $45 capital outlay fee)
Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)
