West Hills College to offer new paramedic program in May

“We’re the only institution in the region to offer a paramedic degree, but we also have a pathway for a certificate,” said Charles Freeman, director of health careers with the district.

The one-year paramedic program will begin the last week of May, and students have the option to earn either a paramedic degree or certificate. For the degree pathway, students must have passed the National Licensing Exam for emergency medical technicians (EMTs), be a current EMT and have taken human anatomy and physiology courses.

For students who have not taken the required classes, WHCL will offer a joint anatomy and physiology class (EMT-52) that will run for nine weeks beginning March 17. Students can sign up for the six-unit course and qualify to begin the paramedic program in May.

The interdisciplinary program will include high-fidelity simulation. Paramedic students will work with students in other disciplines, such as nursing students, so they can learn to communicate and work effectively in the health care setting.

“Not only will we prepare our students to pass the national exam, our program will integrate real-world scenarios into our state-of-the-art paramedic simulation lab and prepare them to confidently enter the workforce and save lives,” said Ralph Herrera, paramedic program coordinator.

Application packets can be picked up in the Health Careers Office.  Seats are limited. For more information, contact Perla Murillo at perlamurillo@whccd.edu or 559-925-3490.