Become a paramedic in months, not years, thanks to two TCC programs

If you’re already a certified emergency medical services provider and you’d like to advance to paramedic, Tidewater Community College can get you there quickly beginning in March.

Students who have achieved Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Intermediate certification can bridge to paramedic in just 20 weeks by completing TCC’s “Intermediate to Paramedic Boot Camp.”

Classes meet twice weekly at the Regional Health Professions Center on the Virginia Beach Campus with flip/flop options available to accommodate shift schedules.

To be accepted into the program, applicants must be Virginia-certified Intermediates and pass the entry capstone exam. A mandatory two-week review course in preparation for this exam comprises the first two weeks of boot camp. EMT-Intermediates certified within the last year do not need to complete the capstone exam.

Classes for boot camp begin March 20/21 and conclude Aug. 4/5.

“The boot camp program is our newest addition,” said Jason Ambrose, head of the EMT program at TCC. “This program was designed for the practicing Intermediate looking to bridge up quickly while still working.”

Current EMTs can also advance their careers via TCC’s Accelerated Paramedic program. Classes meet nearly every weekday for five months starting March 5.

“The Accelerated Paramedic program is ideal for those with some existing medical knowledge, such as independent duty corpsmen, looking to transition to a new career in the EMS or fire industries,” Ambrose said.

Four rounds of clinical rotations are part of both programs.

TCC will offer the national exam in the Regional Health Professions Center on Aug. 10.

Students can stack all their credits toward TCC’s Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services.

TCC offers the largest program in emergency medical services in the state. All of the college’s EMS programs are nationally accredited.

The Virginia Department of Health funds EMS scholarships that can cover 100 percent of the cost for qualified applicants. For information, visit http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/education-certification/ems-scholarship/.

For information about EMS programs at TCC, call 757-822-7335.