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.
Recommended: 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.
Breakdown of the application process for Class 92:
Students to apply on Submittable during application period (May 1st - June 13th). Link will be available on website on May 1st.
Applications evaluated the week after (June 17th - 20th).
Students with all requirements will be invited to interviews on June 24th - 25th.
Notifications will be sent out by Friday, June 27th.
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
EMT 219 - Paramedic Preparation
4
HSC 104 - Medical Terminology
3
HSC 108 - Disease Processes for the Health Sciences
3
HSC 217 - Cardiac Dysrhythmias
2
HSC 228 - Calculations for Medication Administration
1
Our admissions process has changed. Please review the Paramedic Program Prep Guide as well as the Application Testing Instructions. This must be completed prior to applying. If you have any questions, please reach out to Maddie Nguyen at (949) 582-4581.
Students assigned to clinical rotations must meet the health requirements mandated by the clinical facilities. The following health requirements must be completed and maintained throughout the clinical rotation:
Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Varicella
TDAP
Hepatitis B
TB skin test
COVID-19 vaccine/booster
Seasonal flu shot (when available)
Students who do not meet the health requirements established by the clinical facilities may not be permitted to attend clinical rotations. Failure to complete the required clinical hours may result in an inability to successfully complete the course. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all health requirements are met by the deadlines provided.
For any questions or concerns regarding these requirements, students should contact Maddie Nguyen, Program Specialist as soon as possible.
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
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-CC 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
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
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)
All students will be required to complete a background/drug test and purchase the compliance tracker. To place an order visit: https://discover.castlebranch.com/.
Instructions
Select "Place order" at the top right of page. Enter package code: SJ41bgdtim. 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.
You will be asked to upload certain medical records to the compliance tracker portion. This will be in addition to submitting these to the Student Health Center. Please hold off on uploading any medical records in the compliance tracker until you have received your program clearance from the Student Health Center. This is to ensure you are uploading the correct documentation.
Basic Life Support/CPR Card
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 CC 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
$1,432
$1,432
Books & Supplies
$1,062
$1,062
Living Expenses: Food & Housing
$14,480
$25,916
Personal & Misc.
$4,059
$4,968
Transportation
$1,791
$1,962
Total Resident
$22,824
$35,340
Total Non-Resident
$35,124
$47,640
Expenses
Living with Parents
Living Away from Parents
Tuition & Fees
$712
$712
Books & Supplies
$354
$354
Living Expenses: Food & Housing
$4,827
$9,276
Personal & Misc.
$1,353
$1,656
Transportation
$597
$654
Total Resident
$7,843
$12,652
Total Non-Resident
$13,993
$18,802
Expenses
Living With Parents
Living Away from Parents
Fall & Spring
Summer
Fall & Spring
Summer
Tuition & Fees
$1,432
$712
$1,432
$712
Books & Supplies
$1,062
$354
$1,062
$354
Transportation
$1,791
$597
$1,962
$654
Total Resident
$4,291
$1,666
$4,462
$1,723
Total Non-Resident
$16,591
$7,816
$16,762
$7,873
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): $446 per unit ($376 non-resident tuition fee + $70 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)
