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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. Training will also include clinical, experiential and field placement components, as well as an emphasis on physical and emotional wellness.
Please note: This program may be highly competitive and have a specific selection process and application deadline. Please refer to Admission Processes for details regarding highly competitive programs.
Please note: You must have a valid Class F driver’s license by the beginning of Semester 3 in order to be eligible for employment. 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.
Class F driver training is available to Durham College Paramedic Program students at a discounted rate through DC’s Corporate Training Services. Click here to learn more.
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To help students succeed in programs with remote learning requirements, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified minimum technology recommendations. While these are not program requirements, these suggestions will help ensure students have the right tools to support a quality remote learning experience.
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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:
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2023-2024 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes.
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.
To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i3 RAM: 4GB Storage: 256GB SSD Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1 Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version) Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter Camera: Webcam/built-in camera Internet connection
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the school office.
The Paramedic program features a series of practicum opportunities in all semesters of the program. The first two semesters will include clinical opportunities interacting with patients in long-term care facilities. This will progress to hospital clinical rotations and an on-ambulance preceptorship with professional paramedics.
These practicum placements are designed to provide the opportunity to accept a series of graded responsibilities, progressing towards competency. All evaluations are conducted in accordance with the Paramedic Association of Canada’s (PAC) definition of competency.
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:
Students will be required to provide a Criminal Reference Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). If you cannot provide a clear CRC, you will be denied the opportunity to enter your placement and this will impact your ability to complete your full program and/or secure employment.
In order to maintain confidentiality and security, the program utilizes an independent provider, Verified by Synergy Gateway for field placement documentation collection and validation. This process is the Electronic Student Permit Checking (ESPC). There is a cost associated with this external agency. Please refer to the Paramedic Program ESPC Information Package for details.
For more information contact Treina Kennington, Student Advisor/Field Placement Officer.
Project Lord Ridgeback (PLRB) is multi-disciplinary experiential learning exercise that simulates a local disaster. Interacting with actors who play victims, casualties, emotionally distressed persons and the elderly in a staged, choreographed event, students from a wide range of programs learn by acting and responding as they would in real emergencies. Subject matter experts design injects into disaster-related scenarios which simulate authentic workplace demands.
Following the mock disaster, students participate in follow up exercises to apply learning in mock court testimony, critical incident stress debrief, crime-scene lab work, and form completion specific to their program areas.
Student participants are from a wide range of DC programs including: Practical Nursing, Primary Care Paramedic, Police Foundations, Protection Security & Investigation, Paralegal, 911 Call Centre Communications, Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations, Journalism Mass Media Program, Social Service Worker, Activation Co-ordination – Gerontology, Court Support Services.
The Living Lab at Durham College mimics a typical residential unit, allowing students to work through real-life scenarios that depict several challenges they will face in their future careers. Complete with obstacles to problem solve and work around, such as a living room, bedroom, kitchen, and laundry room, students learn to not only care for the patient, but to be mindful of their environment as well. In an emergency, a person’s life can depend on the decision making and the abilities of the paramedic to take swift action; the Living Lab ensures that the students are well prepared and confident to meet the demand of this challenging career head on. Students plan and try out what they learn in the lab and are able to apply the new knowledge to future situations. By going beyond the theory learned in class and learning by doing, students get first-hand experience of practicing what has been taught to retain the life-saving skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
Emergency Services Fundamentals (EMSF) is a one year certificate program in the School of Justice and Emergency Services. This program focuses on developing fundamental skills that will prepare you for entry into a college program in a related emergency service field such as paramedic, police foundations, or pre-service firefighter. Courses include communications, math, biology and chemistry, law and civics, ethics, fitness, and other topics relevant to emergency services.
Some EMSF courses may also qualify as General Education equivalents which can be used towards a diploma in another program.
Please note: completion of the EMSF program does not guarantee admission to other programs.
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