Primary Care Paramedic

Upcoming PCP Program Offerings:  

Upcoming Candidate Assessment Day(CAD)s:

PCP Graduates will be able to:

• Apply principles of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology to the assessment and management of trauma, medical and complex calls.
• Integrate and demonstrate PCP level skills, knowledge and judgement (clinical decision-making and leadership skills) in the assessment and management of trauma, medical and complex calls.

You can elect to study this tuition-based program in part-time or full-time format.

The full-time classroom portion of the PCP Program is run over a four-month period.

Prior to the beginning of the classroom portion, you will be required to complete four weeks of independent study as preparation for the program. Upon completion of the classroom component, you'll have three months following in which to complete the hospital and ambulance practicum component.

Part-time study is called The Distributed Learning Program.

You'll participate in nine workshops (each comprised of three classroom days), five evaluation sessions, plus hospital and ambulance practicum time. The hospital and ambulance practicum time must be completed within three months following the last workshop. Independent study makes up a large component of this program, Scheduling of each workshop is normally at three or four week intervals, depending upon the class location and requirements of the participants.

The full-time program will be offered in two to three larger community locations in British Columbia.

The part-time program will be delivered in various regional sites throughout the province.

*30 of the PCP certificate program credits are transferable towards completion of the EMS Diploma.

You will receive ongoing feedback from instructors as you engage in, and practice the program's curriculum. You will complete a series of formal evaluations, including written assignments, written exams, skill stations, simulations and presentations. You must also successfully complete hospital and ambulance practicum evaluations.

Upon successful completion, you will receive Primary Care Paramedic Certification from the Justice Institute of BC, and  be eligible to apply for licensure within British Columbia through the Emergency Medical Assistant Licensing Branch.

• Application fee $75
• Deposit After Successful Pre-Screening $500.00
• Tuition Fee $4,025.94 (includes deposit) 
• Textbooks (Approximately) $500.00
• Uniform, Equipment (Approximately) $300.00 - $500.00
• JIBC Learner Services Fee $168.30

Note: Tuition Fee effective April 1, 2012. All fees are subject to change without notice.

A $500.00 non-refundable deposit must be paid within five working days of acceptance into the program. This deposit will be credited towards your tuition fees. The balance of $3,525.94 and the Learner Services Fee is due a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the first day of the program (commencement of the CS200 course).

Application fees & program deposit ($500) are non-refundable in any circumstances.

Students who withdraw a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the start of the program (ie prior to start of course 1 CS200) will be refunded 100 % tuition & LSF minus deposit.

Students who withdraw by the following dates will be refunded 50 % tuition & LSF minus deposit:
Full-time program: two weeks into the classroom component
Part-time program: final day of the first (FPC210) workshop

After this time there is no refund of tuition.

A $50 administration fee will be applied to all refunds.

Financial Assistance

StudentAid BC may be available to supplement your own financial resources to help you reach your educational goals.

Students may also be eligible for other forms of assistance, such as the Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA) Education Fund Award and the JIBC General Student Bursary, and we encourage all students to apply.

For more information please visit Student Services or contact the Financial Aid & Student Awards Advisor at financialaid@jibc.ca or 604.528.5762 (toll free 1.877.528.5591).

Approximately one month before your program session starts, you'll receive log in instructions to gain access to your on-line component.

You'll receive other materials on the first day or at intervals throughout the program.  The cost of external textbooks is the responsibility of each student.

Admission to the Primary Care Paramedic Program is contingent on availability of seats, completion of all admission criteria, and applicant ranking as determined by a process of selective admission evaluation.

The following mandatory requirements must be met:

• Minimum 17 years of age
• Current Emergency Medical Responder Certificate (or equivalent)
• Current CPR Level C  for Healthcare Providers (HCP) Certification
• Grade 12 graduation (or equivalent)
• Criminal record check
• Completion of a physical fitness assessment
• Three written references (2 professional and 1 personal)
• Current immunizations

For classes starting January 2013, Grade 12 English with a minimum Grade of C (or equivalent) will also be required.

International students should email pcp@jibc.ca for detailed information regarding admission procedures and criteria and an International Student Admissions Package.

Applicants who have met the required program admission criteria may be granted additional points in the selective entry process for the following:

• Grade 12 science course (chemistry, biology or physics)
• JIBC Emergency Medical Responder Certification
• Previous volunteer work
• Fluency in a second language other than English

Selection Process

Candidates who have met all requirements in step 1 will be required to attend a Candidate Assessment Day and complete three assessment elements:

• Medical Knowledge Test
• Cognitive Ability Test
• Panel Interview

Assessment Days will be held at JIBC campus locations throughout British Columbia. Participants should expect to spend all day at the campus.

The results from each component will be integrated to produce an overall candidate score. All candidates' scores are then compiled into a rank ordering of candidates. PCP program seats are filled by working from the top of the rank order list down.  Candidates will then be notified as to their status in the ranking and the likelihood of being offered a seat.

1. Download a Primary Care Paramedic Program Information and Application Package. Complete all prerequisites and compile all required documentation.
2. Submit your application package with payment using one of the following methods.
   
   In Person:
   Drop your completed application package off at the Justice Institute of British Columbia located in New Westminster.
   
   Justice Institute of British Columbia
   Registration Office
   715 McBride Boulevard
   New Westminster, B.C.V3L 5T4
   
   Phone Number: 604.528.5590
   Toll free: 1.877.528.5591
   E-mail: registration@jibc.ca
   
   By Mail:
   Please send application package to the above address.
   
   By Fax:
   Fax: 604.528.5653