FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

1) What is the difference between an EMT and a Paramedic?

2) What are the pre-requisites for the EMT class?

3) What are the pre-requisites for the Paramedic class?

4) Where do I get EMT experience?

5) How long are the classes for EMT and Paramedic?

6) When do classes meet?

7) How much do classes cost?

8) Where are the clinical rotation sites?

9) Can my EMT and Paramedic coursework apply toward my AAS Degree?

10) How can I pay for my Paramedic training?

11) Will I be able to find a job?

12)Why should I choose LaGuardia as my EMT and/or Paramedic Training Center?
 

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1) Q. What is the difference between an EMT and a Paramedic?A. Both EMTs and Paramedics render emergency care to the ill and injured in the prehospital environment. However, EMTs are trained to offer a basic level of care and Paramedics offer an advanced level of care. Paramedics must be certified as EMTs before beginning Paramedic training.
EMTs perform skills such as CPR, defibrillation, bandaging and splinting, spinal immobilization, oxygen therapy, lifting and moving techniques, vital signs, patient assessment and histories, emergency childbirth, treatment of medical and environmental emergencies, and more.
Paramedics do all of the above, plus they can start IVs, administer many potent emergency drugs, perform endotracheal intubation, give injections, perform transcutaneous pacing and cardioversion, read EKGs, and perform many invasive techniques, such as needle decompression of a lung and cricothyroidotomy.

2) Q. What are the pre-requisites for the EMT class?A. In order to enter the LaGuardia EMT class, you must be at least 18 years of age during the month the class ends, take an English reading test (or bring in a college transcript showing you passed English in college), and pass an interview.

3) Q. What are the pre-requisites for the Paramedic class?A. You must have a high school diploma or GED certificate, along with current New York State EMT-B certification.
You must have a minimum of six months or 200 hours of patient care experience as an EMT. This can include experience as a paid EMT or member of a volunteer EMS organization. In-hospital experience is not accepted.
There are three pre-admission tests, including a basic math test, a reading comprehension test, and an EMT test. These tests evaluate your preparedness for the Paramedic Program. You must score 75% on each of these three areas to qualify for a faculty interview. Should you need it, there are two re-tests available for any failed categories.
Practice tests are available to help prepare you for the entrance exams.

4) Q. Where do I get EMT experience?A. The LaGuardia EMT/Paramedic office has listings of both paid and volunteer opportunities for EMTs available for students upon request.

5) Q. How long are the classes for EMT and Paramedic?
A. EMT classes are 172 hours over two to four months, depending on the schedule. The Paramedic class is 800 hours of classes, plus 600 hours of clinical rotations over 12 months.

6) Q. When do classes meet?A. EMT night classes meet Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM.
EMT day classes meet Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM. The exception is the summer day class, which meets Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
The Paramedic class meets Monday – Thursday 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM and alternate Saturdays from 9:00AM – 4:00 PM. Saturdays may be switched for Sundays for Saturday Sabbath observers if arranged in advanced and with permission of the director.

7) Q. How much do classes cost?A. The EMT class costs $980 + $15 registration fee. The Paramedic class cost $6,800 for certificate students. Degree students pay CUNY tuition rates. Books and uniforms are not included.

8) Q. Where are the clinical rotation sites?A. EMT rotation sites include Lenox Hill, Manhattan; Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn; and Maimonides Hospital, Brooklyn. Students may attend a hospital closer to their home if approved in advance by both the hospital and the college.
Paramedic rotation sites include: Lenox Hill Hospital, Manhattan; Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn; Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn; New York Medical Examiner, Manhattan and Queens; North Central Bronx Hospital; North Shore Forest Hills Hospital, Queens; Queens General Hospital Center; Transcare at Einstein Medical Center, Bronx; Transcare at New Rochelle/White Plains, Westchester.

9) Q. Can my Paramedic coursework apply toward my AAS Degree?
A. Absolutely. The AAS Paramedic Degree option is encouraged as a way of increasing your professional options during your career. Paramedic coursework can be applied toward an AAS at LaGuardia by simply completing the standard college application process and taking one additional course at the College. 30 exemption credits are awarded for paramedic certification and six credits for EMT certification.

10) Q. How can I pay for my Paramedic training?
A. LaGuardia Community College recognizes the commitment involved in undertaking the Paramedic Program. Therefore, we offer three methods of tuition payment. First, all students have the option of a convenient payment plan through Academic Management Services (AMS) www.tuitionpay.com that enables them to make monthly or more frequent payments.
Students may take out a Continuing Education loan from Sallie Mae, TERI or other provider.
Students may pay the entire amount prior to class start using their own resources.
Scholarships may be available. Inquire with the Paramedic Coordinator.

11). Q. Will I be able to find a job?
A. Currently there is a shortage of EMTs and Paramedics in New York City, making employment prospects excellent. The NYC Fire Department, hospitals and private companies have been actively recruiting on campus. LaGuardia graduates are sought after by many employers.

12). Q. Why should I choose LaGuardia as my EMT and/or Paramedic Training Center?A. LaGuardia has the best preparation for the best price. This is a quality program with a 100% pass rate on the NY State Department of Health exam for 11 years (on the Welcome page, it says the DOH Paramedic Program has had 100% pass rate for 12 years) for the Paramedic Program and a 97% pass rate for the EMT Program for the past 20 years. Dedicated EMS labs, top notch faculty, a minicomputer lab and a multitude of resources, including open skills labs and state of the art equipment, are all available to students. We will work with you to help you succeed.