Initial Education Requirements for high school graduates without prior Paramedic training
In Ontario, high school graduates who wish to become a paramedic must attend a recognized 2 year Paramedic college program. Most colleges require the following list items prior to the start of their program. Some colleges may not require all of these as college entrance requirements, although prospective paramedics must understand that asterisked items (*) are requirements under the Ambulance Act and are required in order to become employed.
- Senior Biology high school course (grade 11 or higher), and/or other science courses
- Computer literacy
- Current Standard First Aid certificate *
- Current CPR (C) - Basic Rescuer level (or equivalent) *
- Class 'F' Drivers License *
- Ontario Current Imunizations (including Hepatitis B, Chicken Pox - if needed & Flu vaccine) *
- Free of communicable diseases *
- Be physically fit and able to lift *
- Possess good comunication skills & be able to fluently read & write English *
- Be at least 18 years old upon completion of the program *
- Have a "clean" drivers abstract (driving record) and be free of any criminal convictions involving crimers of moral turpitude *
Primary Care Paramedic Programs in Ontario
Click Colleges below to contact:
Upon completion of the 2 year college Primary Care Paramedic program, graduates are eligible to write the Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant (A-EMCA) examination. Candidates for the A-EMCA are offered 3 attempts to successfully pass (70% required) the exam before remedial training is required & may work for an ambulance service for up to 210 days (post college graduation) while preparing. For more information on the A-EMCA, please contact:
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Emergency Health Services Branch
Patient Care Standards, Education and Certification
5700 Yonge Street,
6th Floor North York,ON
M2M 4K5
Tel #: (416) 327-7813
Fax #:(416) 327-7911
Toll Free 1-800-461-6431
Requirements for Paramedics with training outside Ontario
Paramedics who have received training from outside Ontario must first obtain their Ontario A-EMCA before being eligible to gain employment in an Ontario Ambulance service. For information on an equivalency process please contact the above address.
Advanced Care Paramedic Training
Generally, a minimum of 2 years of experience as a Primary Care Paramedic field is required to qualify for training at the ACP level. The ACP program is equivalent to 1 college year and is considered a post-diploma program (approximately 1000 hours). Hastings-Quinte EMS does support selected Primary Care Paramedic employees in preparing for and completing this level of training, both academically and financially. In the fall of 2004, two of our Primary Care Paramedics were selected to attend the ACP Program offered by Durham College, and following the classroom component, they completed most of their clinical education and all of their preceptorship locally, relying on our experienced ACPs to assist in the process. Since 2004, H-Q EMS has sponsored a select number of Paramedics for this training every year.
At present, there are no application forms to complete. Just send your resume and cover letter to:
Shaune Lightfoot
Director of Human Resources
County of Hastings
P.O. Bag 4400
Belleville, Ontario
K8N 3A9
Any commendations or reference letters should also be included with your resume, along with copies of relevant certifications and employment prerequisites. Please also note whether you are seeking a part or full-time work opportunity. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
If selected for further consideration, you will be invited to attend an interview. Numerous standard employment-related questions will be asked, as well as some verbal scenarios to gauge your response to various possible patient care or operational situations. As part of this interview, you may also be given aditional practical and written assessments.
Successful interviewees may be offered conditional employment following this stage. Additional conditions (steps) that will be imposed include:
- Providing evidence of meeting all legislative requirements for employment as a Paramedic;
- Achieving and maintaining certification with the Regional Base Hospital Program as a Primary or Advanced Care Paramedic, including written and practical testing, and;
- Passing a physical agilities test for Paramedics
H-Q EMS relies on both full and part-time Paramedics to staff its primarily 12 hours shifts, and the schedule is made up of four (4) platoons of 24/7 units. Two 12/7 units (days only), and two 8/5 units make up the balance of oursshift pattern and schedule assignments. Hastings County offers competitive wages and many other standard benefits that Paramedics typically expect, including participation in the OMERS pension plan.
At a minimum, each Primary Care Paramedic will be required to complete 24 to 40 hours of paid continuing medical education each year. Advanced Care Paramedics will complete 40 to 80 hours. The Base Hospital and the Ministry of health dictate the content much of the time, but numerous optional offerings also exist, such as courses and seminars in 12-Lead ECG interpretation, pediatric emergencies, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, HAZMAT response, and other courses.
