Primary Care Paramedic

Apply now for Fall 2012 classes at New Westminster, Victoria and Kelowna locations. Application Deadline: March 2, 2012.



Are you looking for a fast paced career in paramedicine?

The Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program will equip you with a solid foundation to prepare you for employment opportunities to practice as a paramedic in a wide variety of pre-hospital care environments. Pursue this stimulating career, equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge, and gain the confidence and aptitude to work in this dynamic and gratifying profession. As the demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow, so will employment opportunities for graduates of the Primary Care Paramedic program.

The program will equip you with the in-depth skills and knowledge required to work as a Primary Care Paramedic.

You'll benefit from the skill set and hands-on experience from the instructors who will lead the courses, including: educators, physicians, registered nurses and practicing paramedics- professionals who understand the rewards of their work.

The program meets or exceeds the National Occupational Competency Profiles (NOCPs) for Primary Care Paramedics developed by the Paramedic Association of Canada, and is accredited by the Canadian Medical Association.

Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure in British Columbia through the Emergency Medical Assistant Licensing Branch.

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Program Offerings

Upcoming PCP Program Intakes:  

 

Course Location

CS200 Start Date

Classroom Start Date

New Westminster and Victoria  April 2, 2012April 30, 2012
August 7, 2012September 4, 2012
KelownaApril 10, 2012May 7, 2012
August 13, 2012September 10, 2012
Smithers (Part-time)January 16, 2012February 17, 2012
Dawson Creek (Part-time)March 26, 2012May 25, 2012
Kamloops (Part-time)
Updated 
March 26, 2012 June 1, 2012
Prince George
New Class
March 26, 2012May 7, 2012

 

Upcoming Candidate Assessment Day(CAD)s:

 

Location

Next Candidate Assessment Day (CAD)

New WestminsterMarch 14, 16, 20-22, 2012
VictoriaMarch 19 & 22, 2012
KelownaMarch 26 & 29, 2012
Dawson CreekFebruary 2-3, 2012
Prince GeorgeFebruary 28-29, 2012

Learning Objectives

PCP Graduates will be able to:

  • Perform an organized patient assessment
  • Intervene in life-threatening injuries and conditions
  • Execute PCP treatments
  • Gain knowledge of procedures and protocols
  • Record and report patient information

Format

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.

Courses

Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) Certificate Component (33.5 credits)*

Course Name 

Course Code

Credits

Hours

Clinical Sciences 200

CS200

3.0

44

Fundamentals of Pre-hospital Care 210

FPC210

3.0

49

Paramedic Core Skills 220

PCS220

2.0

28

Paramedic Core Skills 221

PCS221

3.0

42

Paramedic Core Skills 222

PCS222

4.0

65

Classic Cases 250

CC250

5.0

70

Classic Cases 251

CC251

2.0

28

Classic Cases 252

CC252

3.0

42

Classic Cases 253

CC253

2.0

28

Complex Cases 260

CC260

2.0

35

Comprehensive 285

Comp285

2.5

35

Clinical Applications 290

CLA290

2.0

159

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

Evaluation and Certification

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.

Cost

  • 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 $165.00

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).

The application fee and $500.00 deposit are non-refundable in any circumstances.

The remaining tuition is 50% refundable if the student exits the program for any reason prior to the Classic Cases 250 (course 6). After this, there is no refund available. There will be an administrative fee of $50.00.

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).

Books and Supplies

Approximately one month before your program session starts, you'll receive an Independent Study package, which must be completed prior to the first day of class.

You'll receive all other materials on the first day or at intervals throughout the program.  Study guides and course materials are included as part of the tuition. The cost of external textbooks is the responsibility of each student.

Admission Requirements

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.

Apply

  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

Last updated February 7, 2012