Primary Care Paramedic

You are:

• Calm and professional
• Passionate about caring for others
• Physically fit and active

Frequently Asked Questions Video

Looking for a career that demands respect, provides security, and where there’s never a dull moment?

The Oulton College Primary Care Paramedic Program will prepare you for a career dealing with high-intensity, fast-paced emergency situations. Our Primary Care Paramedic program provides hands-on practical experience and training in:

• Paramedical science, both practical and theoretical, gives the ability to deliver reflexive medical care.
• Human anatomy and physiology, gaining the knowledge necessary to assess the human body and its state of wellness.
• The ability to think on your feet, understanding psychology and non-violent crisis intervention.
• Safe and effective patient lifting and transfer techniques.
• Critical thinking and rescue procedures are necessary to quickly and effectively deal with medical and traumatic emergencies.
• Defensive driving techniques in our training ambulance.
• Physical fitness and wellbeing.

How will the course be set up to ensure my success?

During the 15-month program, you will train in the classroom, in on-site labs, and also in different offsite clinics. You will participate in approximately 12-16 weeks of clinical and practicum experience in offsite settings, to allow for demonstrating effective performance as a paramedic team member.

September and February Starts

• September (Year 1): September – August 
• February (Year 1): February – January
  
• September (Year 2): September – November
  
• February (Year 2): January – May
  
• Clinical: 5 Weeks
  
• Preceptorship: 12 Weeks

You Will Learn

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Communication, Documentation, and Professionalism
• Pathophysiology (the physiology of abnormal states of the body)
• Pharmacology
• Medication Administration
• Nutrition
• Paramedicine Terminology
• CPR and First Aid
• WHIMIS
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

Admissions Requirements:

• Grade 12 Diploma, Adult Diploma, or GED
• Grade 11 or 12 Biology* with a minimum average of 65%
• Grade 11 or 12 Math* with a minimum average of 65%
• Grade 11 or 12 English* with a minimum average of 65%
• 19 years of age prior to commencement of Practicum
• Credits from university are considered assets
• Meeting with an Admissions Advisor
• Completion of the pre-admissions Aptitude Test
• Completion of Faculty Interview
• Acceptance by the Admissions Committee
• Completion of the Pre-Enrollment Package
• Geographical requirements may apply
• Bilingualism is a definite asset
• Must have clean driver’s abstract 3 months prior to any job applications * Lower Level courses are not accepted Based on New Brunswick Anglophone High School Curriculum. For other provincial or international requirements please contact us directly.

Unless they have completed a minimum of three years of study at a school where English is the language of instruction, international students whose first language is not English must submit proof of English language proficiency:

• CAEL – minimum score of 60 
• IELTS – 6.0, with no individual score lower than 5.5 
• TOEFL (IBT) – 80, with no individual score lower than 18 
• MELAB – minimum score of 80 
• Duolingo – minimum score of 105 with no subject test score less than 95
• Cambridge English – minimum score of 169 
• Pearson Test of English – minimum score of 50 

Please see the international application process here.

Admissions Requirements – French School System

• • • Diplôme grade 12, diplôme adulte ou GED
    • Rencontre avec un Admission Advisor
    • Anglais 311 ou 411 ou 421 avec un minimum de 65%
    • Biologie 411 ou 421 avec un minimum de 65%
    • Math 311B ou 321B avec un minimum de 65%
    • Test Pré-Admission
    • Entrevue de Faculté
    • Crédits de l’université considérés des atouts
    • 19 ans au commencement du stage
    • Bilinguisme considéré un atout
    • License class 5 au plus tard 30 jours après le commencement du programme
    • Des quotas géographiques peuvent être considérés

Course Descriptions:

Anatomy & Physiology

This course introduces the sciences of anatomy and physiology and the basic structure, functions, and assessment of the human body in its state of wellness. Integration of systems and maintenance of homeostasis within the body will also be discussed.

Pharmacology

This course introduces the principles of pharmacology and the basic drug groups and uses. Proper terminology and the familiarization of their uses in the planning and delivery of care will be discussed. Topics covered will include drug nomenclature, legal issues, pharmaco-kinetics, and principles of pharmacology.

Medical Theory I and II and Feedback I and II

Through an interactive classroom setting, students will gain knowledge of the theory of organ systems and pathophysiology. Students will gain an understanding of how the body functions in both normal physiological conditions as well as during disease process and shock states. Collectively these 2 courses will cover 14 major human body systems. Students will be able to recognize abnormal conditions and provide both urgent and non-urgent interventions in the form of specific skills and the administration of pharmacological therapies. These courses also have a feedback component where students review and reflect on the theory learned.

Trauma Theory I and II

Students will learn the anatomy of the human airway and how to use basic and advanced airway adjuncts and when to apply these skills. They will also learn about traumatic mechanisms of injury, trauma to major body systems, hemorrhage, and various states of shock and how to treat them, as well as treating soft tissue injuries. Assessment and management of burns and patients with spinal, thoracic, abdominal, musculoskeletal, and head and facial injuries.

Laboratory Skills Theory and Lab I

This course will include an introduction to the skills required to be able to gather patient information, assess the patient’s condition, and initiate medical interventions. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to perform basic skills that are commonly required in the care of patients. These skills are required in acute, long-term, and community settings. The student must be successful in both the theory and all lab components of this course.

Fitness

Weekly physical fitness sessions throughout the program and bootcamp sessions to physically prepare students for the duties associated with a career in paramedicine.

Community Involvement

Students are provided a Medical First Responder program which allows them to provide medical coverage at public events. Students are required to obtain 20 medical and 20 non-medical volunteer hours.

Community Practice

Students are provided a Medical First Responder program which allows them to provide medical coverage at public events. Students are required to obtain 20 medical and 20 non-medical volunteer hours.

Vascular Access and Medication Administration

This theory course teaches the principles and fundamentals of medication administration. The students will learn the various routes of medication administration as well the specific skills required for each technique. Students learn the process of medication injections as well as the initiation of Intravenous fluid therapy. This class will include in-class theory as well as activities.

Special Patient Considerations

This course is designed to provide the student understanding of the modifications required in communicating with, assessing, and providing care to those with specific needs. Including physical and cognitive challenges as well as other specialty areas of practice.

EMS Operations

This course introduces students to triaging multiple patient situations, hazardous materials awareness as well as Ambulance Operations and driving skills required to safely operate such a vehicle. The CEVO 4 emergency driving theory course and practical driving skills are included.

Laboratory Skills II

The lab experience will continue to be a time for students to integrate their knowledge and skills in providing simulated care to fellow students and simulation equipment. The level of care the students will be able to provide will be of a higher level and their critical thinking will be tested with each scenario given.

Professional Practice, Communications, and Documentation

Through an interactive classroom environment, the student will gain the basic skills and techniques necessary to communicate appropriately with staff, patients, clients, families, and other health care providers and emergency personnel. The focus will also be given to the importance of proper documentation and reporting. This course will be delivered through lectures, group activities, and journals, role-playing, and guest speakers. Skills in the class are practiced throughout the remaining courses and semesters.

Evidence Based Paramedicine

This course will address the roles of research in paramedicine. The students will form a foundation in health research and technical writings. The course will address the basic knowledge of research study design, proposal writing, development of questionnaires, sample/data collections, literature search, different methodologies and designs, research data analysis, and interpretation of research findings. Guest speakers will contribute to the students’ learning, along with instructor lectures and student projects.

Lifestyle and Wellness

This theory course teaches the fundamentals of healthy living. It also fosters patients’ learning and practice of self-care practices and how these relate to total patient health. This class will include in-class theory as well as activities.

Clinical Review

This problem-based course is based on the student’s experiences during the clinical phase of the program. Students review patient cases and experiences to supplement in-class learning. Preceptorship preparation is also included.

Clinical & Preceptorship

Students will be placed in offsite settings for both clinical and preceptorship to properly prepare integration into realistic settings and practice the summative nature of the daily work of a paramedic. A variety of clinical rotations, in acute care settings, will be scheduled over a 5-week period. Students will be assigned to shifts that occur on a 24/7 schedule. The 12-week Preceptorship is scheduled over a 13-week period to allow for an adequate number of rotations to be completed in the schedule. Students will again be assigned to shifts that occur on a 24/7 schedule. The Preceptorship provides students exposure to a variety of settings under the supervision of a mentor. Students will be expected to perform effectively as a paramedic team member and demonstrate professional patient and inter-professional relationships and work practices. Student membership to the Paramedic Association of New Brunswick will be required. *Content is subject to change by administration as required to meet program and professional standards. *Although some clinic/lab sessions will be on-site, students will be responsible for travel and costs associated with relocation, travel, and others, to access assigned clinical sites. Clinical rotations are scheduled throughout the program. *Fees for an interim license, provincial registration and licensure, and national exam fees are not included. Eligibility for exam writing and licensure for employment is dependent on program accreditation. Students must acknowledge program status. *Because of the nature of the work of a paramedic, understanding the mental and physical demands of the profession is the key to your success. Additional training to include: Back in Form, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, WHIMIS, CEVO certificate, and Medical First Responder.

Career Choices:

The need for health care is on the rise and as a result, the demand for professionals in every sector of the industry is rapidly increasing. Primary Care Paramedics work under the direction of physicians and registered nurses, in order to provide care for the sick, injured and disabled.

• • Ambulatory Care and Transportation
  • Hospitals
  • Fire Departments
  • Government Departments and Agencies
  • Manufacturing Firms
  • Mining Companies
  • Other Private Sector Establishments
  • Also as Managers, Supervisors, and Directors of Emergency Services