Primary Care Paramedic

The Primary Care Paramedic diploma at Sprott Shaw College is designed for those new to the field of paramedicine, offering a comprehensive introduction and thorough training to start a rewarding career in emergency medical services. This unique program features hands-on learning through practicums and preceptorships with BC Emergency Health Services and local Health Authorities, ensuring students gain practical experience throughout their studies. With no EMR certification required to begin, students will learn essential EMR skills during their training.

Primary care paramedics are licensed to administer patient care and handle the majority of 9-1-1 calls in BC. The paramedic role varies worldwide, and in Canada, it is evolving into an autonomous health profession. Paramedics work in diverse environments, from emergency response in ambulances to non-emergency situations like community paramedicine, providing in-home care to at-risk patients.

Our program covers all aspects of paramedicine to a national standard, with discussions, reflective exercises, hands-on clinical skills training, role plays, skill labs, scenarios, simulations, and practicums. Graduates qualify for licensure with the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (EMALB) and membership in the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC). Sprott Shaw College is an approved EMALB educational program, and students will be issued a student license to practice under supervision, progressing to a full license for independent practice upon completion.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Provide safe, ethical, and sociocultural-sensitive care according to the guidelines set by Schedule III of the Emergency Medical Assistants regulations.
• Practice in a reflective, responsive, accountable, and professional manner as required by legislation, the defined scope and standards of practice, and the code of ethics as described in the Health Professions Act.
• Demonstrate comprehensive and competent knowledge of paramedical theories and practices.
• Assist in and apply practices that promote the physical, psychological, social, cognitive, and spiritual well-being of clients.
• Work collaboratively as part of an integrated healthcare team to provide high-quality care for clients.
• Engage in evidence-based practice.
• Recognize the benefits, limitations, and contradictions of differing theoretical frameworks.
• Display knowledge of physiology and pathophysiology relevant to practice.
• Recognize and respond to one’s self-assessment, self-development, learning, and health enhancement needs.
• Apply self-reflective and self-appraisal processes to improve effectiveness in paramedical practice, including readings and peer feedback.
• Prepare client records and reports accurately.
• Utilize various diagnostic and assessment tools.