MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – Buoyed by $500,000 in New York State funding secured by Senator James Skoufis, SUNY Orange, in partnership with CUNY LaGuardia Community College, will be launching a 12-month paramedic training program this November that will help address paramedic shortages plaguing Orange County and the Hudson Valley.

The 12-month program, condensed from the typical 36-month curriculum, is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP). CoAEMSP is the only organization recognized nationally by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) to provide accreditation services for AEMT and paramedic education programs.

Offered under the SUNY Orange Plus umbrella, the new paramedic training program is a rigorous hands-on curriculum designed for certified EMTs seeking to elevate their skills and advance their careers in emergency medical services. In addition to partnering with CUNY Laguardia, SUNY Orange collaborated with the Town of Newburgh Emergency Medical Services leadership to streamline the curriculum and assure it meets the needs of today’s paramedics.

Students will gain in-depth knowledge and experience in life-saving techniques, trauma and medical emergency care, and advanced patient management under the guidance of experienced instructors, physicians, and EMS professionals. The program includes classroom instruction, lab simulations, and more than 500 hours of supervised clinical rotations at hospitals and EMS agencies across the Hudson Valley and beyond.

The program will be an ideal option for certified EMTs ready to advance their careers in pre-hospital care, first responders seeking leadership roles in emergency medical services, career changers looking for fast-paced, high-impact work, or healthcare professionals planning to pursue emergency medicine, nursing, or firefighting.

Interested students must attend one of two upcoming pre-screening sessions to determine eligibility. Sessions are scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 29 and 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 21. Both will be held on the College’s Middletown campus. Pre-screening includes:

• Math assessment: basic algebra, ratios, dosage calculations
• Reading comprehension test: healthcare scenarios and terminology
• EMT knowledge exam: assessment of core EMT concepts and protocols

Program tuition includes textbooks, certification courses (BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc.), clinical lab supplies, uniforms, insurance and registration fees. Tuition assistance may be available through workforce development programs (such as the Orange County Career Center) or healthcare employer partnerships. Eligible students can receive substantial tuition coverage based on income, residency or employment status. Payment plans are also available while need- or merit-based scholarships may also be available.

For more information, visit www.sunyorange.edu/plus or contact SUNY Orange Plus at plus@sunyorange.edu or at (845) 341-4890.

What They are Saying

New York State Senator James Skoufis
“With New York’s strained EMS network approaching a breaking point, it’s critical we have a regional hub to educate the next generation of professionals here in the Hudson Valley. To that end, I was thrilled to secure $500,000 for SUNY Orange’s accelerated paramedic program, the only such initiative in our region. The Hudson Valley is known for producing highly-trained healthcare professionals ready to enter the workforce, and I’m looking forward to seeing the much-needed impact these SUNY Orange graduates will have on residents in our communities.”

SUNY Orange President Dr. Kristine Young
“I want to thank Senator Skoufis for securing these funds in recognition of a dire community need, and for demonstrating his confidence in SUNY Orange that we are equipped to help address the significant shortage of paramedics in the Hudson Valley. Time and time again, Senator Skoufis has looked to SUNY Orange to meet a need for his constituents and we are honored to deliver for our shared community.”

“I also want to thank County Executive Steve Neuhaus and his administration for partnering with our team to identify tuition assistance through the Orange County Career Centers for those accepted into the program. Mr. Neuhaus has gone out of his way many times to support the College, and this is yet another example.”

“The College’s SUNY Orange Plus team has worked tirelessly since the state budget was passed to develop a condensed paramedic program that will hasten the availability of qualified, skilled and trained paramedics for our local ambulance corps. The design and quality of this program will set SUNY Orange's program apart and will bring paramedics into the field rapidly. I am so proud of our instructors, staff, and leadership on their execution of our strategic plan.”

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus:
“Enhanced and proactive Emergency Services is critical to keeping our communities safe. The State’s recognition of this and its support of this new program will help to prepare the professional first responders of tomorrow, and will ultimately help to save lives. The County will continue to support SUNY Orange and work to ensure vital services are available to our residents.” 

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