Which San Jose Schools Offer EMT Training?

If you are interested in learning how to save lives in emergency situations and want to study emergency medical procedures and equipment, you can find schools in the San Jose area offering EMT programs. EMT programs provide the training and hands-on skills required to work in the fast-paced emergency medicine field.

What You Need to Know

Students seeking EMT training in the San Jose area may choose an emergency medical technician (EMT) - Basic or a paramedic training program. These two levels are distinct not only in training, but also for the certification examination required of EMTs at all levels. All EMT and paramedic programs near San Jose are offered by two-year, public schools. A person must be certified as an EMT - Basic prior to enrolling in a paramedic training program. Admission requirements to EMT and paramedic programs include background checks, drug screenings, a minimum age threshold, and/or a physical exam with immunizations.

EMT-Basic Training in the San Jose Area

San Jose City College

Located in the city proper, San Jose City College offers a program that, once completed, makes you eligible to take the National Registry EMT-B certification exam. This training program is approved by Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services. The EMT class is a 5.5 unit course - divided between lecture and lab hours - that prepares you to provide basic life support to patients. SJCC also offers an EMT-1 refresher course that fulfills EMT recertification requirements (due every two years).

• Program Name: Emergency Medical Technician Program
• Program Length: One semester
• Tuition and Fees: $1,358 per year for CA residents; $7,994 per year for non-residents (costs as of Spring 2019)
• Prerequisites: An introductory course in health science (or equivalent knowledge) strongly recommended
• Requirements: Valid American Heart Association Healthcare provider CPR card; must be 18 years of age by the start of the class
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 9,270 students (all undergraduate)

Foothill College

Foothill College's Middlefield Campus offers both EMT-Basic and EMT-Paramedic programs as well as related refresher courses to fulfill continuing education requirements. The EMT program consists of a two-course sequence taken back-to-back during consecutive quarters. These courses teach you the basic life support skills you'll need in emergency situations involving the extrication, resuscitation and/or stabilization of patients. You'll also learn how to collaborate with other emergency responders such as fire and police departments.

• Program Name: Emergency Medical Technology Program (EMT-B)
• Program Length: 2-3 quarters
• Tuition and Fees: $1,563 per year for CA residents; $7,503 per year for non-residents (costs as of Spring 2019)
• Requirements: Valid American Red Cross CPR for the professional rescuer certificate; American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider card (Foothill offers a 5-unit emergency response course that fulfills this requirement)
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 14,732 students (all undergraduate)

Skyline College

Located about 35 miles from San Jose in nearby San Bruno, Skyline College offers a 7-unit course that qualifies you to take the EMT-B certification test. The course consists of 80 lecture hours and 96 lab hours. You're also expected to spend 3 hours a week doing clinical rotations at a local Emergency Department and riding with an ambulance. Students must also pass a Department of Transportation physical examination in order to qualify for certification.

• Program Name: Emergency Medical Technician Course Completion Certificate
• Program Length: One semester
• Tuition and Fees: $1,461 per year for CA residents; $8,241 per year for non-residents (costs as of Spring 2019)
• Requirements: Valid American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card; Automated Defibrillation (AED) Certification (courses available at Skyline College); physical exam including TB test (for clinical rotations)
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 9,014 students (all undergraduate)

City College of San Francisco

Located about 37 miles away from San Jose, the City College of San Francisco (CCSF) offers both EMT-B certificate courses and Paramedic certificate and associate degree programs. EMT Basic classes consist of two courses (18.5 units) that train you in basic life support skills such as initial patient assessment, cardiac and respiratory emergencies, traumatic injury, pediatric emergency care, etc. Once you complete these two courses you are eligible to pursue state EMT-B certification.

• Program Name: Emergency Medical Technician Program (EMT-B)
• Program Length: One semester
• Tuition and Fees: $1,696 per year for CA residents; $10,372 per year for non-residents (costs as of Spring 2019)
• Requirements: Students must be 18 years of age; proof of immunization
• School Type: 2-year, public; around 27,008 students (all undergraduate)

EMT-Paramedic Programs near San Jose

Foothill College

The Paramedic program, open to new students only during the fall quarter, is divided into theoretical and practical segments. The first three quarters are classroom instruction and the last two consist of clinical rotations and an ambulance field internship, although you may start your rotations early (during your third quarter) in order to accelerate program completion. Once you complete the training program, you'll be awarded a certificate of achievement and become eligible to apply to for state paramedic licensure. Students of the paramedic program also have the option to add general education courses and complete an associate of science degree.

• Program Name: Paramedic Program (EMT-Paramedic)
• Program Length: 12-18 months (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $1,563 per year for CA residents; $7,503 per year for non-residents (costs as of Spring 2019)
• Prerequisites: At least 6 months of experience working full-time as an EMT (or equivalent part-time experience)
• School Type: 2-year, public; around 14,732 students (all undergraduate)

City College of San Francisco

CCSF's Paramedic certificate program consists of 12 courses (53 semester units), after which you're eligible for the paramedic licensure examination. You can also choose to apply these credits towards an associate's degree in science. Paramedic courses cover a wide range of health topics, including specialized courses in cardiac, endocrine and nervous systems, phlebotomy, trauma, drugs, pediatric and obstetrical emergencies, etc. Students must complete a 4-6 month internship to graduate.

• Program Name: Paramedic Program (EMT-Paramedic)
• Program Length: 18 months (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $1,696 per year for CA residents; $10,372 per year for non-residents (costs as of Spring 2019)
• Requirements: Valid EMT certification; entrance exam
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 27,008 students (all undergraduate)

To summarize this article, there are four schools in the San Jose area offer both EMT basic and EMT paramedic training including Foothill College and the City College of San Francisco, where others, such as San Jose City College and Skyline College, offer only EMT basic training.