Reclassification to Paramedic Grade Levels

Section 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE

To state policy affecting the attainment of Paramedic Certification.

Each member hired on or after June 12, 2000 will be required by written agreement to possess or to attain Paramedic certification within two years of employment unless otherwise waived by the Fire Chief or his designee.
All of the required classes and their required texts along with tuition fees will be paid by the Department. Each member must attend Valencia Community College unless otherwise approved by Fire Administration.
All training/class request forms must be turned into Fire Administration no less than 30 days prior to Valencia’s class registration.
At the end of each class the member must submit their grades to Fire Administration no more than five days after official release from the school. Any member not having a passing grade must retake the class at their own expense. The retaking of courses is at the discretion of Fire Administration.
Each member must sign a waiver allowing Valencia to release progress reports and/or grades to Fire Administration upon request.
If the member resigns their employment with the department, prior to the time it took them to complete formal Paramedic training, the member will be required to reimburse the department the cost of the Paramedic program.

Prior to starting Paramedic school, it is required that each EMT member must first successfully pass, Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology unless otherwise approved by Fire Administration.
Upon the completion of the Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology each member must complete all required tasks and paperwork for entrance into Valencia’s Paramedic program, these items must be turned into Fire Administration 30 days prior to Valencia’s registration.

At the completion of the Paramedic program the member must have their state paperwork into the state within 10 days of receiving it from Valencia.
The Department will pay for the first state test, if the member does not receive a passing grade additional tests will be at the members own expense.
The Department reserves the right to pay or not to pay for a prep class prior to the member’s state exam.
After reclassification, a Paramedic will remain in a probationary status for six months from the time of certification.
Once the member is an autonomous Paramedic it is the responsibility of the member to obtain the continuing education credits needed for recertification. The Department may pay fees associated with the recertification.