700 hour medic program = fail.
embarrassing. don't think about moving anywhere after you finish such a class because every other state requires the NREMT-P written as their licensure test, and the Registry won't test you if your program is not accredited or does not meet national standards. A >700 hour program does not meet national standards.
Here is my advice: take a college level human anatomy and physiology class and then enroll in a real paramedic program that grants a degree or college credit towards a degree.
So does Texas. Hows that working out for y'all out in California? Most of your paramedics work for AMR a lizard hauler private ambulance service.
Let me shed some light on TEEX for you greviously misinformed folks. TEEX is a state agency, operated by the University of Texas A&M University System, located in College Station, TX on the TAMU campus. They are not as you say "patch factory" they adhere to the state mandated requirements for EMS training hours. If your looking for a "patch factory" GOOGLE "Emergency Consultants Inc."
If you want to go to a Junior College and spend two years getting trained by volunteer firemen by all means go ahead. Just remember to study those things you learned 18-24 months ago because you will need them on your national registry.
"Austin/Travis county EMS and Williamson county EMS, two highly regarded services" Who the heck is highly regarding them? Tell you what, come down to the Houston Fire Department where I'm sure you will run more calls in a shift than you fellas run all week. There must be a reason the Houston Fire Department sends their paramedics through TEEX.. Oh yea its because Houston Community College pumped out crappy paramedics.
NREMT-P STATS for 2009
National Pass Average - 84
Texas First Pass Average - 65
Texas Overall Pass Average - 79
TEEX First Pass Average - 66
TEEX Overall Pass Average - 78
And some local popular Community Colleges that offer 2 year Paramedic college atmosphere courses for Comparison
Blinn First Pass Average - 62
Blinn Overall Pass Average - 77
Lonestar College Cy Fair First Pass Average - 67
Lonestar College Cy Fair Overall Pass Average - 89
LoneStar College North Harris First Pass Average - 78
LoneStar College North Harris Overall Pass Average - 78
Here's the link, feel free to look through it.
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/emstraumasystems/JF10NatRegistryNumbers.pdf