The paramedic training program at Bridgeport Hospital was recently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Healthcare Education Programs, the largest national programmatic accreditor in the health sciences field. It reviews and accredits over 2,000 educational programs in 24 health science occupations, according to its website. This is the only paramedic training program in Fairfield County and one of four in Connecticut.
The accreditation recognizes the paramedic training program for meeting standards related to its administration, resources, faculty and facilities. The standards are developed by paramedic professionals and reflect what trainees need to know to be successful in the profession.
The paramedic training program, which started in 1995, is administered by the Bridgeport Hospital Medicine Institute. It offers basic and advanced emergency medical technician classes and a full line of American Heart Association first aid, CPR and safety courses. Each year, the program graduates about 25 trainees, most of whom go on to work for area ambulance companies and fire departments.
Bridgeport Hospital provides 383 beds. Another 42 beds are licensed to Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, serving residents in Fairfield and New Haven counties. The hospital admits more than 18,000 patients and receives over 240,000 outpatient visits a year.
