- Introduction
- Curriculum Overview
- Course Options
- Course Requirements
- Upcoming Courses
- Registration and Tuition
- Recertification
- Frequently Asked Questions
- CCP Faculty
- Veterans Services
Introduction
The field of Critical Care Transport is a growing branch of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The advancements in medicine, combined with the specialization of many tertiary care facilities, have developed the need for specially trained Paramedics who are able to provide advanced care to critically ill and injured patients. In these changing times, it takes more than basic Paramedic training to adequately meet these demands.
The University of Florida’s Critical Care Paramedic certificate program will provide high-level instruction in all aspects of critical care transport. Our instructors are experienced clinicians, physicians and professors who are recognized experts in their fields of study. The program is unique in that it combines didactic instruction with hands on labs and clinical rotations.
Critical Care and Flight Programs are requiring advanced training for their Paramedics. The best programs require the applicant to hold a Critical Care Certification to qualify and proceed in the application process. The UF CCP Program meets and exceeds the minimum training requirements for critical care paramedics.
Course Requirements
A current paramedic certification is required in order to register for the UF CCP program. Any state or national registry certification is acceptable. International students must possess similar training as required from the certifying country, but additional documentation may be required. It is required that the student has been one year removed from their initial paramedic training.
Additionally, the following are highly recommended, but not required:
- Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) *
- Current Trauma Certification (ITLS and/or PHTLS) *
The live stream course is conducted twice a year (Spring and Fall Semesters). Please contact us via email at ufccp@dcp.ufl.edu or by phone at 352-273-1170 if you have any further questions.
Once you have registered for the course, you will receive additional course information.
Recertification
The UF Critical Care Paramedic Certification is valid for a period of 4 years. Recertification will require either a total of 100 CEU’s covering Critical Care Topics or current FP-C or CCP-C with at least two (2) years remaining on the certification past the UF CCP expiration date. The UF CCP can apply for recertification within six (6) months of their expiration date.
Recertification via Continuing Education Units
The certified UF CCP who wishes to recertify using CEU’s must provide documentation of 100 contact hours of critical care based units. ACLS, PALS, PEPP, CPR, ITLS, PHTLS, ASLS and AMLS cannot be used as critical care contact hours. Lectures at AMTC or any other critical care conference would qualify. If you have any questions about whether a class or conference would qualify for critical care, please contact us before taking the class.
Recertification via FP-C or CCP-C Exams
The certified UF CCP who wishes to recertify using their FP-C or CCP-C certifications may do so as long as there is at least two (2) years remaining on their certification past the UF CCP expiration date. The UF CCP will be required to provide documentation of the exam and its expiration date. This information will be verified through the BCCTPC to ensure its accuracy. No other certifications offered through the BCCTPC qualify for recertification of the UF CCP.
Process for Recertification
Send an email to Judy Johnson at ufccp@dcp.ufl.edu when you are prepared to recertify. Once the information has been verified, you will be sent a new certificate. You will keep your UF CCP number that was previously assigned. The cost of the recertification is $50.00. Please allow up to 14 business days to process your request.
Replacement Certifications
Send an email to Judy Johnson at ufccp@dcp.ufl.edu with your name as it appears on your certification, your UF CCP number and contact information. There is a $25 fee to process the request. Payment information will be provided to you. Please allow up to 10 business days to process the request. You will be notified via email when your certificate is mailed to you.
Upcoming Courses
Fall 2024 Multi-Lead Medic/Enhanced Multi-Lead Medic/Capnography Seminars
TBD Attendance is mandatory for current students and is included as part of course. They are not recorded. Mr. Page’s website is: http://www.multileadmedics.com/.
Fall 2024 Critical Care Paramedic Program
- Class Begins: August , 2024
- On-Campus Dates:
- Skill/Cadaver Labs: TBD
- Clinical ICU Rotations: You will need two 12-hour shifts. There will be a choice days around the same time as the skill labs. For those within driving distance, other dates may be available for clinicals.
- Bob Page Seminars (via Zoom)
- Bob Page’s Multi-Lead Medics 12 Lead, Enhanced Multi-Lead Medics 12 Lead and Comprehensive Capnography Course: TBD
- Class Ends: Tentatively December 16, 2024
Registration and Tuition
Critical Care Paramedic
The cost of the live stream Critical Care Paramedic course is $1,500.00. Departments sending 5 or more individuals in one academic year can contact us for special pricing.
Fall 2024 Bob Page Multi-Lead Medics 12 Lead Course, Enhanced Medics 12 Lead and Capnography Course: http://www.multileadmedics.com/.
TBD: Bob Page’s Multi-Lead Medics 12 Lead, Enhanced Multi-Lead Medics 12 Lead and Comprehensive Capnography Course. $30 for 1 day or $35 for two days. If you have registered for the CCP course, you do not need to register, it is included as part of the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Paramedic to take the course?
Yes. Only state or nationally registered paramedics are eligible to become certified. Registered nurses have their own Critical Care Certifications, but if you are an RN and hold a Paramedic certification, we would welcome your attendance.
I currently hold another critical care certification. Can I challenge the exam to become UF CCP Certified?
No, there are many courses out there that provide critical care certifications. Some courses are better than others. The UF CCP course is unique in that it provides 160+ hours of instruction in both didactic and clinical applications. Any paramedic who wishes to obtain the UF CCP certification must enroll and complete the course in its entirety.
I hold another critical care certification and need to obtain critical care CEU’s. Can I attend some lectures to obtain them?
No. The new live stream format requires students to register with UF and obtain a GatorLink account.
What other certifications do I need to have?
It is highly recommended (but not required) that you are current in AHA ACLS, AHA PALS or PEPP, and ITLS or PHTLS.
I just graduated from Paramedic school. Can I enroll in the course?
No. We have found that paramedics who have at least one (1) year of experience have a higher rate of success. This is a rigorous course that covers advanced topics not covered in medic school. It is assumed that you have a strong baseline of experience in the 911 setting. However, exceptions are made if you are close to the time requirement.
How much does the course cost?
Tuition is $1500 for the course. Departments sending 5 or more individuals in one academic year can contact us for special pricing.
Can I get a refund?
Unless specified otherwise, a request for a refund must be received in writing 10 days prior to the beginning of the course or event. A fee of $25 will be charged. Starting 10 days prior to the start of class, through the first week, a 10% fee will be charged. After the first week of class, no refunds will be given. Refund requests can be sent by mail, e-mail or fax to the address or number indicated below. We reserve the right to modify or cancel a course or event when circumstances warrant, including insufficient registrations. In the event of cancellation or postponement, each registrant will be notified by telephone and/or by written notification and will be issued a full refund. The University of Florida is not responsible for any other related expenses.
UF CCP tel: (352) 273-1170
336 Rinker Hall fax: (352) 846-2772
Gainesville Florida 32611 ufccp@dcp.ufl.edu
Can you hold me a spot and I will pay at a later date?
We are sorry, but spots cannot be held until payment is received in full.
How often must I recertify in order to remain current?
The UF CCP certification is valid for 4 years and can be recertified in one of two ways.
- Obtain 100 CEU’s in Critical Care Topics
- Hold a current FP-C or CCP-C certification through the BCCTP with at least 2 years remaining on the certification
Do I need a computer for the course?
Yes, you will need a laptop or tablet with Internet capability. You will be able to access the UF WiFi system while on campus. All lectures, assignments, quizzes, and exams are taken online.
Can we perform skills during the clinical rotations?
Yes, you will be assigned a preceptor and you are able to perform any skill that is in the scope of practice for a critical care paramedic, including arterial lines, chest tubes, rapid sequence induction and medication administration. However, please understand that UF Health Shands Hospital is a teaching institution and some skills are subject to availability.
Will this class help me pass the FP-C or CCP-C Exam?
The FP-C and CCP-C exams are conducted by the BCCTPC and are designed to test the knowledge of experienced flight and critical care ground paramedics. Some critical care transport programs even require certification in order to apply and be a competitive candidate. This course is not specifically designed to help the student take and pass either of these exams. However, the course is designed to teach you the concepts of critical care and develop your clinical thought process. The successful UF CCP student who is able to achieve that goal will be successful in the real world, as well as the aforementioned exams. Previous students who have taken the certification exams have been highly successful due to this approach. The primary goal of the course is to develop the student’s clinical thinking, not to just pass an exam.
When can I enroll and begin the live stream class?
You may enroll for a future course anytime within roughly 6 months of the desired class. Enrollment for all classes will close at the end of the first week of the class and any student who registers will be enrolled in the next class.
If I do distance learning, do I still have to come to Gainesville?
Yes, the distance learning students have to complete the same material as the live class, including the labs and clinical rotations. There are 3-5 days that you must attend depending on your circumstances. Here is a breakdown of the clinical days:
- Day 1: Cadaver and Skills Labs
- Day 2: ICU Clinical Rotations at UF Health Shands Hospital
- Day 3: ICU Clinical Rotations at UF Health Shands Hospital
The Bob Page 2-day course can be completed anywhere he offers the program. Please note that it must be the 2-day course and you must attend the course during your enrollment in the UF CCP program. Bob Page will be present at UF via Zoom.
The cadaver lab is offered during every UF CCP course and the student is required to attend at the University of Florida Shands Health hospital in Gainesville during this time. If a student cannot attend a scheduled live section, they can attend the live section of the next course.
What is the lecture schedule during the live stream course?
There will be set days and times for the live stream lectures. These will be announced at the start of the course. For example, lectures may be scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1700-1900 EST. However, some of the instructors may have to deviate from that format and lecture outside of the set windows. We will announce those instances in advance so that you may adjust.
What if I miss a live lecture during the course?
All of the live stream lectures are also recorded. If you miss a lecture, you can view it at your earliest convenience.
It there an attendance policy for the live stream lectures?
No, you are not required to attend any of the live lectures. While it is helpful to attend so that you can ask questions in real-time, it’s not always possible to stay on that schedule through the course.
I am a certified UF CCP who lost their certificate and need a replacement. What is the process?
Send an email to Judy Johnson at ufccp@dcp.ufl.edu with your name as it appears on your certification, your UF CCP number and contact information. There is a $25 fee to process the request. Payment information will be provided to you. Please allow up to 10 business days to process the request. You will be notified via email when your certificate is mailed to you.
I have a question that is not answered on this page. Who can I contact for further information?
You may email Judy Johnson at ufccp@dcp.ufl.edu or call 352-273-1170 if you have any further questions about the course. Please include your name and a phone number if you leave a voicemail.