Paramedic Training Candidate

APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED AND REQUIREMENTS UPDATED

The Paramedic Training Candidate recruitment is an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) internal recruitment. Only applications from current, full-time OCFA Firefighters, Fire Apparatus Engineers, and Fire Captains will be accepted. Applicants of all ranks must be off probation by August 1, 2025.    

This recruitment covers the paramedic programs of OCEMT, UCLA, Saddleback, and Palomar all which begin during the month of August 2025.      

The Emergency Medical Services Department is currently accepting applications for sponsorship to attend a paramedic program and to establish an eligibility list to fill future paramedic school vacancies.  Upon successful completion of the didactic, hospital clinical experience, field internship, National Registry testing and state licensing requirements, candidates will have completed all the steps for sponsorship. The OCFA EMS Department will sponsor the candidate for local accreditation with OCEMS. Selected candidates who successfully complete the training process must agree to a two (2) year assignment in a paramedic post position.      

Note – In order to meet the enrollment requirements for both the didactic and clinical portions of the paramedic programs, the student may be required to participate in medical and drug screenings, background checks and vaccinations to include influenza and COVID 19.

WORK SCHEDULE:     

Candidates will be assigned to a 40-hour work week during the didactic and skills training portion. Classes will begin in August 2025. Candidates will be assigned to a 56-hour shift schedule during field internship.     

ADDITIONAL PAY:     

Please follow the link below regarding Paramedic Pay information: Paramedic Pay - Page 96 of the OCPFA IAFF - Local 3631 MOU.

Candidates must complete the following steps for sponsorship:     

• Didactic and Skills      
• Hospital Clinical      
• Field Internship      
• National Registry Testing      
• California Licensing Requirements     

Upon completion, the OCFA EMS Department will sponsor for local accreditation with OCEMS.  

The minimum qualification for selection will include:

• Current OCFA Firefighter, Fire Apparatus Engineer, or Fire Captain (must be off probation by August 1, 2025)  
• Must agree to a two (2) year assignment in a paramedic post position      
• Possession of a high school diploma or GED      
• Possession of a current EMT certificate      
• Possession of a current health care provider CPR card      
• Minimum of standard rating on current performance appraisal     
• Recommendation from immediate supervisor with Battalion Chief concurrence    

EXAMINATION PROCESS:    

• Written test to evaluate EMT knowledge      
• Oral interview which includes patient care scenarios to test EMT practical knowledge and skills      

Personnel must score a minimum of 80% or higher in each section in order to be successful in the testing process. 

SELECTION PROCESS:

All successful candidates will be placed on an eligibility list in order based on scores in the testing process.  Every effort will be made to accommodate a candidate’s paramedic program preference while taking into account the candidate’s residence in proximity to the program and department need first. Priority will be given to the firefighter rank. Successful candidates will also need to:      

• Provide proof of passing college level English or take the matriculation exam      
• Pass the college health screening     
• If applicable, pass drug and medical screening    
• If applicable, pass a background check (Live scan or similar)    
• If applicable, provide proof of vaccinations to include, but not limited to, influenza and Covid19    

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

To apply, go to www.ocfa.org. Interested personnel are to submit the following:    

• Online application - Application must show current OCFA experience      
• EMT Card (must be current and on file in EMS)     
• Health care provider CPR card (must be current and on file in EMS)     
• Must have a standard or above rating on current employee performance appraisal    
• Letter of recommendation from immediate supervisor with Battalion Chief concurrence      

All materials listed above must be submitted with your electronic application no later than Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 12:00 pm (noon).

 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:     

• Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 12:00 pm (noon) - Last day to submit online application      
• Non-mandatory School & Testing Process Overview – (Zoom meeting with Time TBD)
• Week of May 12, 2025 - Written test to evaluate EMT knowledge and oral interview containing patient care scenarios      
• TBD - Provide proof of passing college level English or take the matriculation exam      
• TBD - Pass the college health screening, medical background and/or drug screening   
• TBD - School orientation as necessary for each specific paramedic program     

CHANGE IN SCHEDULING/PROCESS:    

If there is a change in the selection process, Human Resources will notify all affected candidates.    

QUESTIONS:
Should you have further questions or need additional clarification, please contact EMS Department Fire Captain Paramedic Michael Macshane at michaelmacshane@ocfa.org or (714) 573 - 6077.  

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the recruiting software or uploading documents, please contact Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst at Bradstephens@ocfa.org or via telephone at (714) 573-6816. 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) ACCOMMODATION:
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, anyone who needs an ADA accommodation for the purposes of employment testing should contact Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst at Bradstephens@ocfa.org no later than 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.  

NOTE: 
The provisions of this publication do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision in this publication may be modified or revoked without notice.