Hey there!
Considering a meaningful career where you can save lives with your skills? There‘s growing demand for paramedics across Southern California – especially Inland Empire metro areas like Riverside.
This insider guide will explore excellent paramedic program options in Riverside, highlight key decision factors, and provide advice to help you choose the right training fit.
Whether you live nearby or will relocate for school, let‘s delve into why Riverside County offers accessible, affordable pathways into this lifesaving profession.
Why Train as a Paramedic in Riverside, CA?
Besides mostly sunny weather year-round, the Riverside region provides other advantages if you choose to study emergency medical response here:
High Job Openings
Employment for EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow 7% in Los Angeles metro areas and 11% around Riverside over 2018-2028 according to state forecasts.
Ongoing population expansion plus a wave of retiring baby boomers guarantees strong hiring demand with competitive wages.
Here‘s a snapshot of current open paramedic postings:
| Employer | Salary Range | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| AMR Riverside | $55k-$77k | 16 |
| Riverside County EMS | $70k-$90k | 5 |
| Riverside Fire Dept | $75k-$102k | 8 |
Quality Education Programs
Riverside offers respected, affordable paramedic program options at schools like Moreno Valley College and Riverside Community College.
More details in the sections below – but accessible in-state tuition rates provide exceptional ROI.
You‘ll also find smaller class sizes and extensive clinical/field training through local ambulance and hospital partners.
Growing Diversity
Riverside County emergency response teams value bilingual skills plus the ability to provide culturally competent care.
As the region grows more diverse, your abilities to communicate effectively and demonstrate empathy towards all patients is key.
Now let‘s explore the top paramedic training programs available near Riverside, CA.
Paramedic Program Overview for Riverside County Area
There are a range of program formats, durations and locations that provide licensed paramedic education across Inland Empire areas near Riverside:
| Program | Duration | Format | Location | Avg. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moreno Valley College | 2 semesters | Hybrid | Moreno Val. | $3,600 |
| Crafton Hills College | 4 semesters | Blended | Yucaipa | $7,000 |
| RCC Paramedic Studies | 1 year | Traditional/in-per. | Riverside | $3,500 |
| Copper Mountain College | 1+ years | Traditional | Joshua Tree | $6,500 |
These programs range from 12-24 months including classroom sessions, hands-on labs, clinical rotations, field ride-alongs and certification exam prep.
Whether seeking an AS degree or certificate pathway, each provides a thorough skills foundation plus exposure to EMS environments needed to excel after graduation.
Now let‘s explore #1 ranked Moreno Valley College and other options in more detail…
Moreno Valley College: #1 Pick for Paramedic Training
For those able to attend programs in the Riverside metro, Moreno Valley College is an excellent choice. Highlights include:
- Total tuition around $3,600 – very affordable!
- Hybrid format balancing online and in-person sessions
- 94% first-time pass rate for EMT/paramedic certification exams
- 500+ hours of clinical experience across hospital departments
- 16-24 hour weekly ambulance ride-along internship
Let‘s break down key facts on their highly rated program:
Admissions Requirements
To start training as an Advanced EMT or paramedic, you‘ll need:
- High school diploma or GED
- 6 months EMT work experience OR EMT course completion
- Successful written exam plus in-person panel interview
Paramedic students must first pass National Registry exams to earn EMT licensure before the primary 1-year training.
Program Duration & Format
- Two 16-week college semesters
- Blends online lectures, in-person skills labs
- 500+ clinical hours, 200+ field ride-along hours
Hands-on Training Locations
Moreno Valley students get immersive experiences across:
- Riverside Community Hospital
- Riverside University Health System
- AMR Riverside ambulance services
Costs & Aid
- California residents pay only $46/unit
- Typical course fees total $3,600
- Financial aid, loans, scholarships available
For affordable tuition combined with over 1,200 total training hours – Moreno Valley College is tough to beat!
While Moreno Valley leads for value and well-rounded experience, a few other solid paramedic programs operate near Riverside.
Crafton Hills College
Around 30 minutes from Riverside in Yucaipa, Crafton Hills College (CHC) offers an AS degree pathway for paramedic training.
Program Highlights:
- Blended online/in-person format
- Duration = 4 college semesters
- 600+ hours of clinical experience
- Course topics: cardiology, trauma, pediatrics, others
- 90%+ pass rate on licensing exams
Crafton Hills students have a high bar for success – consistently scoring 10-15% higher than state/national averages on EMT and paramedic registry exams.
Many graduates pursue four-year EMS degrees or transition into mobile intensive care nurse roles with additional education.
Riverside Community College
Local residents can also stick close to home with Riverside City College‘s (RCC) paramedic program.
They offer a 1-year training format including:
- 500+ clinical hours
- 500+ ride-along hours
- Training across ED, OR, ICU and other hospital departments
- ACLS, PALS and other certifications
- CA state licensing exam preparation
RCC students get hands-on practice across Riverside Community Hospital, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, park district events and other locations.
The program touts a student satisfaction rate over 90% – thanks to experienced local instructors and affordable in-state tuition rates.
With quality options across Riverside County, use these factors to select the best paramedic program fit:
Schedule format – Hybrid, online or traditional? Evaluate your location, commitments and learning style.
Affordability – Community college programs offer the best ROI. Confirm total costs and financial aid options.
Hands-on focus – Extensive clinicals and ambulance rides ensure real-world competence.
Reputation & results – Proven learning outcomes indicate effective career-readiness.
Local relationships – Established ties to regional hospitals, fire/EMS agencies boost hiring prospects.
Teaching staff – Experienced, dedicated instructors provide mentorship and motivation needed to succeed.
By weighing aspects like these against your personal situation, you can find the right match to become a licensed, life-saving paramedic!
Once completing training and passing certification exams, where do graduates find paramedic roles in/around Riverside County?
EMS agencies and fire departments often hire grads right out of school. Major local employers include:
- AMR Riverside – Leading private ambulance provider
- Riverside County EMS – Public agency 911 response teams
- Riverside Fire Department – Urban fire/rescue department
- San Gorgonio EMS – Transport provider for Pass/Banning areas
- Inland Counties EMS – Serves Southwest county areas
Beyond transport careers, graduates may work in:
- Hospital EDs (emergency departments)
- Labor and delivery units
- ICUs (intensive care)
- Tactical/SWAT medical support
- Special event standby services
And over time, some paramedics transition into related nursing, PA, MD or emergency management careers.
Diverse options and steady demand make this an appealing, stable career path. Riverside County also features a lower cost of living than coastal metro areas – helping stretch your earnings further.
Hey there, future lifesaver!
I hope this insider guide provided a useful overview of high-quality paramedic programs available across Riverside County and surrounding areas.
Key takeaways:
- Riverside offers affordable training costs compared to other areas
- Hands-on clinical and field experience create job-ready competence
- High demand ensures graduate hiring and competitive salaries
- Tailor program choice based on schedule, location and learning preferences
Whether attending Moreno Valley College or other regional options, you can gain top-tier experiences enabling a smooth start to your EMS career after graduation.
If you feel passionate about helping others through emergency medicine, now is a great time to get qualified education and practical training that can set you up for lifelong success!
Stay confident in your abilities, embrace hands-on learning opportunities and know that saving lives is a highly rewarding long-term career.
You‘ve got this! Now let me know if any other questions come up around paramedic training options for Riverside and surrounding areas.