Program Overview
A paramedic is at the forefront of emergency health care services in times of accident or crisis. They provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation, cardiac monitoring, pulse oximetry, airway management, administration of life-saving drugs, control of severe bleeding along with immobilization of spine, neck and bone injuries. This program will appeal to students who are able to work under extremely stressful situations. They must be critical thinkers, able to problem solve and multi-task. They must be strong and in good physical condition.
Program Highlights
- Clinical hospital/ambulance field experience.
- Hands-on training in well-equipped labs and simulation suites.
- Graduates are eligible to apply to write the Ontario Ministry of Health Advanced EMCA (Primary Care Paramedic) examination.
Career Opportunities
Paramedics are employed by both public and private ambulance services. Graduates may also progress to the level of Advanced Care Paramedic and/or Flight Paramedic requiring additional years of education at various institutions throughout Ontario.
Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level plus:
- Grade 12 English - ENG4U, ENG4C, EAE4C or EAE4U with 60% or better
- Grade 12 Math (C) or (U) with 60% or better
- Senior Level Chemistry (C) or (U) with 60% or better
- Senior Level Biology (C) or (U) with 60% or better
OR
- Equivalent courses from the Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees program or the Academic and Career Entrance program.
- Applicants must have a G2 Driver’s License when applying to the program. Once you have been accepted and registered into the program, you MUST obtain your G license by the end of your first semester in the program, to continue in the program.
Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.
For more information, see the Admission Procedures document on the Registrar's Office page.
Important Information
This is an OVERSUBSCRIBED program. Apply by February 1 to be considered for this program. See Admission Procedures for details.
Health Requirements (Mandatory)
- Paramedic Medical Requirements Form (Must be submitted and satisfactory in December)
- Immunization Form for Returning Students
Field/Clinical Placements
Applicants are required to have the following completed prior to clinical placement. You are responsible for the associated costs.
- Standard First Aid (online courses are NOT acceptable)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) BLS with AED (Annual renewal is required regardless of the expiry date on the card. Online courses are not acceptable)
- N95 Mask Fit Testing
- Employer requirement for up-to-date CLEAR POLICE CLEARANCE (vulnerable sector screening)
- MUST be obtained by you, the student.
- Obtain the Police Clearance by the first week of your first semester
- Clinical placements may be on day, afternoon or weekend shifts ANYWHERE within Ontario.
- You are responsible for travel and accommodation costs.
Selection Procedure
For high school applicants, all of your Grade 11 courses and the first semester of your Grade 12 courses will be averaged and ranked in order to make the selection for acceptance into this program. When final grades are released applicants must meet the minimum requirement in mandatory courses.
Selection Process
Applicants who possess some of the following items may earn additional points in the selection process:
- Senior Level Physics
- CPR, First Aid, AED and other emergency training
- Emergency responder, fire service
- Post secondary education from individual courses to diplomas or degrees
- Instructor certifications in CPR, First Aid
- Work experience in health care agencies
- Class F driver's license
The questionnaire is a mandatory requirement for consideration into this program. Only applicants who return the questionnaire will be considered for admission.
Employment Requirements
Requirements under the Ontario Ambulance Act and Criminal Code of Canada must be met to be employed as a Paramedic in Ontario. If you have concerns regarding possible traffic violations, criminal records, or medical conditions that may affect your potential employment, contact the program Coordinator. Applicants MUST possess a VALID Ontario Driver's license.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
ELEC1030
|
Choose 1 Elective Course |
3
|
|
PARA100
|
Patient Care Theory I |
4
|
|
PARA102
|
Patient Care Procedures I |
4
|
|
PARA104
|
Medical Legal Aspects |
2
|
|
PARA106
|
Anatomy And Physiology I (Paramedic) |
3
|
|
PARA110
|
Physical Education I (Paramedics) |
2
|
|
PARA112
|
Communication For Emergency Health Workers I |
2
|
|
PARA207
|
Human Behaviour And Crisis Intervention |
2
|
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
ELEC1030
|
Choose 1 Elective Course |
3
|
|
PARA200
|
Patient Care Theory II |
4
|
|
PARA220
|
Patient Care Procedures II |
4
|
|
PARA204
|
Ambulance Operations |
3
|
|
PARA206
|
Anatomy And Physiology II (Paramedic) |
3
|
|
PARA118
|
Pre-Hospital Pharmacology |
2
|
|
PARA254
|
Ambulance Field Experience I |
4
|
|
PARA210
|
Physical Education II (Paramedic) |
2
|
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
PARA300
|
Patient Care Theory III |
4
|
|
PARA320
|
Patient Care Procedures III |
3
|
|
ELEC1030
|
Choose 1 Elective Course |
3
|
|
PARA305
|
Hospital Clinical |
3
|
|
PARA306
|
Advanced Skills Theory |
2
|
|
PARA308
|
Advanced Skills Procedures |
2
|
|
PARA313
|
Ambulance Field Experience II |
6
|
|
PARA312
|
Communication For Emergency Health Workers II |
2
|
Program Physical Demands Analysis
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Paramedic Program (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 51637)
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Communicate and interact effectively and appropriately with patients and others.
- Assess patients using relevant theory and practices and in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards, and best practice guidelines.
- Establish patients’ treatment and transport priorities based on assessment findings.
- Implement preventive and therapeutic patient management strategies to maintain and promote patients’ well-being in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards, and best practice guidelines.
- Integrate and perform delegated controlled medical acts in a simulated, clinical, and field setting.
- Evaluate in an ongoing manner the effectiveness of patient management strategies used and adapt or change strategies to provide optimal care for patients.
- Report and document patient information completely, accurately, and in a timely manner, in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards, and applicable policies and procedures in a simulated, clinical, and/or field setting.
- Ensure personal safety and contribute to the safety of partners, patients, and others.
- Ensure the operational safety and preparedness of an ambulance and its equipment and operate an ambulance-type vehicle in a simulated setting.
- Collaborate with a broad range of personnel such as first responders, paramedics, emergency services personnel, health care professionals, and other allied health care workers.
- Integrate and meet legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities while providing optimal care for patients.