Primary Care Paramedic
Job Description
Primary Care Paramedics (PCP) are an integral part of the health care team, and respond to life-threatening medical and trauma-related emergencies on a daily basis. PCPs create a treatment plan for their patients by performing an organized patient assessment and intervening in life-threatening injuries and conditions.
Role in the Community
Primary Care Paramedics respond to a wide variety of calls in many different environments within their communities. There is constant interaction with other health care professionals as well as Emergency Services such as police, fire and rescue personnel.
A Typical Day
As a Primary Care Paramedic, your typical day begins when you arrive at the station to relieve the last crew on shift. After discussing logistical issues, you and your partner complete an equipment inventory and vehicle checklist. As a PCP you can’t prepare for the calls you’ll receive during your shift, and have to be ready for any type of trauma or medical related calls. After a call or on down times you’ll often spend time building good working relationships within your community. Establishing a good rapport with hospital personnel as well as other public agencies enables the Primary Care Paramedic to be a respected professional in society.
Qualifications/Academic Requirements
For a complete list of admission requirements, please see the Primary Care Paramedic Program listing.
Physical Requirements
A high proportion of job-related injuries to paramedics occur when lifting patients. Physical fitness is critical to maintaining the wellness of paramedics, and fitness must be incorporated in the overall philosophy of the occupation. As part of the application package you will need to complete a physical fitness assessment entitled the Canadian Physical Appraisal of Fitness and Lifestyle Approach (CPAFLA) – 3rd edition. This is a national standardized test of fitness designed by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiologists (CSEP), and administered only by professionals with a minimum certification level of Certified Fitness Consultants (CFC) as determined by CSEP.
Program of Study
The PCP Program focuses on the skills required to assess and manage patients in a pre-hospital care environment. It delivers a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology to strengthen the decision-making and treatment actions necessary to care for the critically ill or injured in the pre-hospital setting. This tuition-based program is offered in both part-time and full-time formats,
Remuneration
Salary for Primary Care Paramedics can vary greatly depending on whether you work for an ambulance service or in industry.The average wage range for a PCP is approximately $20.00 - $30.00 per hour.
Employers & Job Prospects
PCP graduates work for provincial and private ambulance services. They also have opportunities to work in pre-hospital care in industry
More Information
Contact Registration at 604.528.5690 or toll-free 1.866.722.5690; studentservices@jibc.ca
Last updated March 8, 2012
