If you’re interested in becoming a paramedic in North Carolina, here are a few general prerequisites you’ll need to meet before applying to a paramedic training program:
- One must be a high school graduate who is at least 18 years old. If you’re not a high school graduate, a GED will suffice.
- One must have completed an EMT-Basic course.
- You will also need to have proper CPR certification. And at some schools, like Catawba Valley Community College, one must have successfully completed an Anatomy and Physiology course, as well.
- Each paramedic program requires different things from their prospective students. Immunizations are certainly required (since you’ll be getting hospital experience throughout the course). You’ll likely need to go through a criminal background check and drug screening, too. Written references may or may not be required by the school.
- You will want to make sure that whichever paramedic training program in NC you select is an accredited program.
Paramedic Training in North Carolina
Below, please click on a school to get admissions information on their programs:
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College – Asheville, NC
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC – 28801
Blue Ridge Community College – Flat Rock, NC
180 West Campus Drive
Flat Rock, NC – 28731
Catawba Valley Community College – Hickory, NC
2760 Hwy 70 SE
Hickory, NC – 28602
Central Piedmont Community College/Carolinas Medical Center Consortium – Charlotte, NC
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
Carolinas Healthcare
PO Box 32861
Charlotte, NC 28232
Cleveland Community College – Shelby, NC
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
137 South Post Rd
Shelby, NC 28152
Durham Technical Community College – Hillsborough, NC
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
Orange County Campus
525 College Park Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Fayetteville Technical Community College – Fayetteville, NC
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
2201 Hull Road
PO Box 35236
Fayetteville , NC 28303
Gaston College – Dallas, NC
201 Highway 321 South
Albright Public Safety
Dallas, NC – 28034
Guilford Technical Community College – Jamestown, NC
601 High Point Road
PO Box 309
Jamestown, NC – 27282
· Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center – Ft. Bragg, NC
3004 Ardennes St
Fort Bragg, NC – 28310
Lenoir Community College – Kinston, NC
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
PO Box 188
231 Hwy 58 South
Kinston, NC 28501
Piedmont Community College – Roxboro, NC
P.O. Box 1197
1715 College Drive
Roxboro, NC – 27573
South Piedmont Community College – Monroe, NC
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
4209 Old Charlotte Hwy
Monroe, NC 28110
Southwestern Community College – Sylva, NC
447 College Dr
Sylva, NC – 28779
Western Carolina University – Cullowhee, NC
4121 Little Savannah Road
410 Health and Human Sciences Bldg.
Cullowhee, NC – 28723
Where can I find an accredited paramedic training program in North Carolina?
Make sure you visit the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) to find an accredited paramedic training program. This is important, because as of January 1, 2013, all students will need to complete paramedic education at an accredited school in order to take the paramedic NREMT exam.
Do I need EMT experience to apply to a paramedic training program?
Typically, no, experience is not required to be admitted into a paramedic program.
How long will it take me to become a paramedic?
This really depends on the college and training program you select. Typically, a paramedic program can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete.
How much will a paramedic training program cost?
All paramedic courses are a bit different and vary college to college. But, typically, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 for a quality and thorough paramedic training course. Some programs can most certainly exceed that cost, however.
TAKING THE PARAMEDIC NREMT EXAM
After you successfully complete the required paramedic training course, you will need to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. This is both a computer adaptive test (cognitive examination) as well as a skills test (psychomotor examination).
Cognitive Examination
The cognitive examination will cover the entire spectrum of EMS care. This includes Airway, Ventilation, Oxygenation, Trauma, Cardiology, Medical,s and EMS Operations. The maximum amount of time you will be given to pass this portion of the exam is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Psychomotor Examination
The psychomotor examination consists of 12 separate skills laid out in a scenario-type format to approximate the abilities of the EMT-Paramedic to function in the out-of-hospital setting. Those taking the test are actually allowed to bring their own equipment to the exam provided it is approved for testing by the National Registry Representative in attendance at the examination.
The psychomotor exam portion of the paramedic NREMT exam will test your knowledge and competency in each of the following skills: Patient Assessment-Trauma, Ventilatory Management, Cardiac Management Skills, IV and Medication Skills, Oral Station, Pediatric Skills, and Random Basic Skills.
PRACTICING AS A PARAMEDIC
Upon successful completion of your paramedic program of choice, you will eligible to apply for NREMT certification or EMT-Paramedic certification in North Carolina.
How much money does a paramedic make annually?
An average paramedic salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011, is about $34,030 per year.
For those in need of paramedic training courses, please make sure you bookmark Paramedic Training Spot for the latest information.
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