Paramedic

Program Overview

Today’s paramedics must be both highly skilled first responders and compassionate caregivers who are able to meet community members’ emergent and non-emergent health needs on their level. In this program, you will build the diverse skill set needed to succeed in the field with a focus on medical theory and techniques, social and communication skills, critical thinking and effective decision-making. Training will also include clinical and field placement components, as well as an emphasis on physical and emotional wellness. Students are provided with 24/7 access to the lab and practice space to support their learning.

First Response

Helping Others

Field Placement

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 12 mathematics (C, M or U)
Grade 11 or 12 biology and chemistry (C, M or U)

Please note: This program may be highly competitive and have a specific selection process and application deadline. For more information, please contact recruitment@durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.3126. Please refer to Admission Processes for more details regarding highly competitive programs.

Please visit the Admission Requirements tab for more details.

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Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2019	Closed

Tuition

Year one domestic: $8,568 (CDN)

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Semester 1 Courses

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Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Medical attendant
Military medical technician
Paramedic
Primary care paramedic

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Program Details

Durham College successfully achieved accreditation for our Paramedic program in November 2005, making it the first college in Ontario to achieve this status. We continue to be accredited by Accreditation Canada.

Preparing you for employment, the program’s instructional techniques include:

Classroom and laboratory activities
Computer-assisted learning
Essential communication skills
Individual and group study
clinical and field placement components
Physical and emotional wellness training

In The News

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 12 mathematics (C, M or U)
Grade 11 or 12 biology and chemistry (C, M or U)

POST-ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

CBC (no convictions) with Vulnerable Sector Screening. If you cannot provide a clear CBC, you may be denied the opportunity to enter your placement and this will impact your ability to complete your full program and/or secure employment
Current Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation Basic Rescuer Certificate in CPR (Level C) (within one year)
Current standard first aid certificate (within three years)
Entry immunization form
Freedom from communicable disease report
Minimum Class G2 driver’s license (must have valid Class G driver’s license by end of the first year of the program).

Please note: You must have a valid Class F driver’s license by the beginning of Semester 4. To apply you must complete an Ontario Ministry of Transportation medical report which will ask for your complete health history and medical examination and the signature of your physician.

Courses

Semester 4

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

Costs

YEAR ONE FEES	Domestic
Tuition	$8,568
Compulsory Ancillary	$1,245
Program Incidental	$0
Total Fees:	$9,813

Please note: fees are based on the 2018-2019 academic year and do not include textbooks. For more information please see Other fees to consider.

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Medical attendant
Military medical technician
Paramedic
Primary care paramedic

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Municipal, regional or provincial emergency medical services
Armed forces
Hospitals and public health organizations
Patient transfer service

Field Placement

Your learning experience will be complemented by a 400 to 450-hour field placement, in addition to clinical hours completed in a hospital or nursing home, which will provide you with practical, hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply the theories and concepts learned in the classroom.

You are responsible for your own transportation to and from your placement and must undergo a CBC (more than one check may be required) within three months of your placement’s start date. In addition, all immunization records (entry immunization form) including a two-step tuberculin skin test must be submitted to a Durham College health nurse before admission will be granted. This program also demands a high degree of physical fitness, flexibility and lifting strength. In order to participate in field placement, you must be able to:

Transfer patients weighing up to 95 kg (210 lbs)
Do two person lifts
Manage the weight of any necessary equipment

Program Transfer, Degree Completion And Additional Credentials

Qualified graduates can go on to take Durham College’s Paramedic – Advanced Care graduate certificate program. Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.