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.
Admission Requirements
Paramedic Ontario college diploma or equivalent
OR
Completion of an Accreditation Canada - accredited Primary Care Paramedic program
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.
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:
Advanced airway management and electrical therapy
Advanced monitoring and diagnostic skills
Intravenous therapy and pharmacology
Patient management
Instructional techniques are based on:
A problem-based learning model
An emphasis on research appraisal as an evidence base for patient care
Classroom and laboratory activities
Computer-assisted learning
Extensive lab access during and after scheduled classroom hours
A flexible delivery model that allows some courses to be taken in an online format
Clinical and field placement components
Individual and group study
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.
Program Learning Outcomes
Interact and communicate effectively and appropriately with patients and others a. Practice effective oral communication skills (2.1) b. Practice effective written communication skills (2.2) c. Practice effective non-verbal communication skills (2.3) d. Practice effective interpersonal relations (2.4)
Assess patients using relevant theory and practices a. Conduct triage (4.1) b. Obtain patient history (4.2) c. Conduct complete physical assessment demonstrating appropriate use of inspection, palpation and auscultation and interpret findings (4.3) d. Assess vital signs (4.4) e. Utilize diagnostic tests (4.5)
Identify, prioritize and interpret assessment findings, anticipate changes and establish treatment and transport priorities a. Utilize differential diagnosis, decision making skills and psychomotor skills in providing care to patients (6.1) Provide care to meet the needs of unique patient groups (6.2)
Employ preventative and therapeutic interventions to maintain and promote patient’s optimal well-being a. Maintain patency of upper airway and trachea (5.1) b. Prepare oxygen delivery devices 5.2) c. Administer oxygen therapy (5.3) d. Utilize ventilation equipment (5.4) e. Implement measures to maintain hemodynamic stability (5.5) f. Provide basic care for soft tissue injuries (5.6) g. Immobilize actual and suspected fractures (5.7) h. Administer medications (5.8)
Integrate and perform delegated controlled medical acts
Evaluate in an ongoing manner the effectiveness of interventions used and adapt or change interventions in order to provide optimal care for patients a. Conduct ongoing assessments based on patient presentation (6.3a) b. Redirect priorities based on assessment findings (6.3b)
Ensure the basic operational safety and preparedness of an ambulance and its equipment (7.1)
Operate an ambulance type vehicle safely and competently in controlled, non-patient settings (7.2)
Meet legal, ethical and professional responsibilities for providing optimal care for patients a. Function as a professional (1.1) b. Possess an understanding of the medicolegal aspects of the profession (1.3) c. Recognize and comply with relevant provincial and federal legislation (1.4) d. Make decisions effectively (1.6)
Lift, transfer and position patients (3.2)
Collaborate with a broad range of personnel a. Function effectively in a team environment (1.5)
Document completely, accurately and in a timely manner compliance with current legislation and the requirements of practice
Practice in a safe manner a. Maintain good physical and mental health (3.1) b. Create and maintain a safe work environment (3.3)
Develop strategies to maintain and improve professionalism and the discipline of paramedicine
Read, evaluate and apply current research to professional practice a. Apply the evidence base and levels of evidence to professional practice b. Apply the concept of risk stratification to professional practice
Admission Requirements
Paramedic Ontario college diploma or equivalent
OR
Completion of an Accreditation Canada - accredited Primary Care Paramedic program
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.
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 clinical or field placement, which will impact your ability to complete the full program and/or secure employment. Please note: If you are concerned, please discuss your circumstances with a student advisor prior to confirming your offer of admission. You must arrange and pay for your CBC at your primary residence (hometown). When requesting a check, you must inform the police that it is for work with vulnerable persons and required for a student placement
Current Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation Basic Rescuer Certificate in CPR (Level C) (within one year)
Current standard first aid (within three years) or AEMCA certificate
Entry immunization form
Freedom from communicable disease report
Courses
Semester 1
PADV Advance Clinical Techniques (CLIN 5402)
PADV Advance Patient Management (PATI 5400)
PADV Pharmacology (PHAR 5400)
PADV Practicum 1 (PRAT 5400)
PADV Clinical Presentations (PRES 5400)
PADV Research Appraisal (RESR 5400)
Semester 2
PADV Clinical (CLIN 6400)
PADV Practicum 2 (PRAT 6400)
PADV Roles & Responsibility (ROLE 6400)
Semester 3
PADV Practicum 3 (PRAT 7400)
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2020-21 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes. Students should refer to their timetable for the most up-to-date course information.
Costs
Post Admission and Field Placement Documentation
In order to maintain confidentiality and security, the program utilizes an independent provider, Verified by Synergy Gateway (Synergy) for documentation collection and validation. There is a cost associated with this external agency of $49.95. You will receive information on how to access the service once you have completed the registration.
Career Options
WHAT YOU COULD BE:
Advanced care paramedic
WHERE YOU COULD WORK:
Hospital emergency rooms
Municipal paramedic services
Private and event paramedic services
Rural and remote paramedic services
Field Placement
Practicum
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.
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.
Field Placement Documentation
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 of $49.95. Please refer to the Paramedic Advanced Care ESPC Information Package for details.
Contact
For more information contact Treina Kennington, Student Advisor/Field Placement Officer.
Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials
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
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.
Paramedic - Advanced Care (graduate certificate) in the news
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