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MINISTRY-APPROVED PROGRAM TITLE: ADVANCED CARE PARAMEDIC
A life is on the line. You could be the person who arrives on the scene with the necessary tools and knowledge needed to save a life. Becoming an advanced care paramedic will give you the training and certification you need to help the injured and care for the critically ill. Students are provided with 24/7 access to the lab and practice space to support their learning.
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Please note: a current Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant license is not required for program admission but is required to work as a paramedic in Ontario.
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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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905.721.3000
This program is designed for students with previous education. Please see the entrance requirements section of this page for more detail. If you are a current paramedic this program will give you the opportunity to obtain the skills and knowledge needed to gain employment as an advanced care paramedic.
Through a flexible delivery model, you will obtain the bulk of your classroom-based knowledge working within your own schedule. This includes the extensive critical thinking and decision-making skills required for additional training and certification in:
Instructional techniques are based on:
The program is accredited by Accreditation Canada and Durham College was the first community college in Ontario to achieve this program status. The curriculum is also approved by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Emergency Health Services Branch.
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.
The Paramedic Advanced Care program features a series of practicum opportunities in all semesters of the program. Practicum facilitates the application of concepts taught in the program through skills and simulated scenario-based practice progressing to practice in hospital based rotations and finally to an on-car preceptorship under the supervision of professional Advanced Care Paramedics.
Students will acquire problem solving and clinical decision making skill through the acceptance of a series of graded responsibilities progressing towards competency. The opportunity to practice in a simulated setting allows the learner to practice skills and decision making in a safe controlled laboratory setting.
All evaluations are conducted in accordance with the Paramedic Association of Canada’s (PAC) definition of competency.
Students must have a Paramedic Ontario College Diploma or completed an Accreditation Canada accredited Primary Care Paramedic program. 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 Advanced Care ESPC Information Package for details.
For more information contact Treina Kennington, Student Advisor/Field Placement Officer.
Qualified graduates can go on to take:
Qualified graduates may also be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.
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 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.
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