Enrollment

Upon completion of the application process, a "conditional acceptance" letter will be sent to candidates passing all elements of the testing phase. Candidates must pass a background check, physical exam, drug screening, and immunization screening. No candidate will be fully accepted into the program until all requirements have been met.

Certification

The St. Vincent Hospitals and Health Services paramedic course exceed the guidelines established by the US Department of Transportation and is approved by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The course is approximately 1,100 hours and takes an average of 12 to 15 months to complete. The course includes didactic instruction and clinical experiences in the hospital and an ambulance internship. The internet is also used for academic review, skill and clinical tracking.
Upon successful completion of the course, the student is eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination and receive Indiana certification as a paramedic. Application for the state certification is dependent upon passing this examination.

EMT-B experience in an ambulance setting is critical for success as a paramedic student. Applicants with little or no ambulance experience may still be admitted to the St. Vincent Paramedic Program. These applicants may be offered a performance contract before the start date of paramedic courses to get additional patient experience.