ADVANCED CARE PARAMEDIC
Program Outline
Major: PARM
Length: 1 Year
Delivery: 3 Semesters
Credential: Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Effective: 2009-2010
Location: Barrie
Start: Fall
Description
This one year program is designed to provide paramedics with advanced knowledge and skills for practicing emergency health care and to prepare them to function as a leader in emergency situations. Graduates of the program will have demonstrated the ability to safely and competently care for patients of all ages and administer advanced medical treatment measures. The program is comprised of classroom instruction, skills and patient simulation labs, clinical placement and field placement.
Career Opportunities
Graduates who already possess provincial certification at the Emergency Medical Care Assistant (E.M.C.A.) level, will, after successful completion of the Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) Program, be eligible to write the Ontario ACP certification exam and gain employment as ACPs with ambulance services throughout the province or across Canada.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- interact professionally with patients and others, adhering to relevant provincial and federal legislation and codes of conduct;
- collaborate with a broad range of personnel such as employers, Primary Care Paramedics, Critical Care Paramedics, Communications Officers, firefighters, police officers, physicians, allied health professionals and others;
- lead an inter-disciplinary team to ensure optimal patient care;
- provide complete and accurate reports, in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards and established policies and procedures;
- analyze patient assessment findings critically, and infer a provisional diagnosis, using relevant theory and practices and complying with current legislation, regulations, standards, best practices and established policies and procedures;
- evaluate patient condition continuously, anticipating changes and adapting interventions to provide safe and optimal care;
- justify an intervention plan in accordance with ACP Medical Directives, best practices, evidence-based medicine and clinical findings;
- perform basic and advanced life support skills safely and competently, including controlled medical acts, in accordance with established standards and Medical Directives;
- employ preventative and therapeutic interventions, while maintaining safety of self and others, to promote optimal well-being of the patient, in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards and established policies and procedures;
- formulate strategies for self-evaluation and for improving proficiency in the practice of paramedicine.
Program Progression
Sem 1 - Fall 2009
Sem 2 - Winter 2010
Sem 3 - Summer 2010
Articulation Agreements
A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Information can be found on Georgian's website at www.georgianc.on.ca/academics/articulations.
Admission Requirements
* Current Advanced Emergency Medical Care Attendant (A-EMCA) license or equivalent.
* A minimum 2,000 hours or 1 year experience in an urban EMS setting is required, or equivalent.
Selection Requirements:
Applicants will be selected based on EMS experience, resume, reference letter(s) and selection testing in Primary Care Paramedic Theory:
* Resume containing information about your academic background, related work experience, volunteer experience and extracurricular activities, etc., including detailed EMS experience.
* Reference letter from a Base Hospital and/or Medical Director
* Selection testing in primary care paramedic theory will be done at this time;
* If English is not your first language, refer to the English Language Proficiency Policy.
PLEASE NOTE: A current advanced care EMCA licence is required to work as a Paramedic in Ontario. International applicants are required to complete the Ontario equivalency process. Please contact the Ministry of Health and Longterm Care for information regarding the equivalency process.
Field Placement Requirements
* Completion of college immunization record.
* Employers who provide field placements will require a criminal record check for criminal offences. An unpardoned criminal record will result in inability to participate in field internship courses and prevent the student from graduating.
Graduation Requirements
8 Mandatory Courses
1 Field Placements
Graduation Eligibility
To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 60% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester. The passing weighted average for promotion through each semester and to graduate is 60%.
Mandatory Courses
PARM1000 Advanced Pharmacology
PARM1001 Advanced Patient Care Theory 1
PARM1002 Advanced Care Paramedic Skills - Lab
PARM1003 Advanced Patient Care Theory 2
PARM1004 Advanced Professional Practice
PARM1005 Advanced Patient Care Simulation - Lab
PARM1006 Unifying Concepts in Paramedicine
PARM1007 Clinical Practice
Field Placements
PARM1008 Internship
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
PARM1000 Advanced Pharmacology 42.0 Hours
In this course, students acquire the theory necessary to administer life saving medications to patients in an emergency setting. In addition to a review of medical math, the course includes an in-depth look at pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynanics. Students gain an in depth knowledge of the indications for, actions of, dosages of and adverse affects of common prehospital emergency medications. Students increase their knowledge of the above factors as they apply to common prescription and over the counter medications. The pharmacology of toxins and the pharmacological management of toxidromes will also be discussed.
PARM1001 Advanced Patient Care Theory 1 56.0 Hours
In this course, students acquire the theory necessary to perform advanced airway management, respiratory care and cardiovascular care. The learner acquires knowledge and decision making skills in advanced airway management, including oral/nasal tracheal intubation, needle and surgical airway procedures, pharmacologically facilitated intubation, use of laryngeal mask airway and other airway devices. Respiratory care includes advanced modes of ventilation, ETCO2 monitoring, needle thoracostomy and pharmacological management of respiratory emergencies. Cardiovascular care includes interpretation of cardiac dysrhythmias and 12-lead electrocardiograms, advanced electrical therapies, administration of cardiac medications and Advanced Cardiac Life Support theory. Communicable and infectious diseases are also covered.
PARM1002 Advanced Care Paramedic Skills - Lab 42.0 Hours
Using patient care simulation and other simulation devices, students learn and practice various advanced psychomotor skills. This includes advanced airway procedures, thoracic needle decompression, intravenous and intraosseous access, central venous access device (CVAD) access, advanced electrical therapies, drug administration by various routes, adult and pediatric cardiac arrest procedures and advanced diagnostic procedures including glucometry, ECG rhythm monitoring, 12 Lead ECG acquisition, SpO2, ETCO2 and temperature monitoring. Other diagnostic and invasive procedures may be added to the Program as the scope of paramedic practice evolves with emerging technologies and the publication of new medical research.
PARM1003 Advanced Patient Care Theory 2 56.0 Hours
In this course, student learning builds on existing knowledge of management and treatment of medical and traumatic emergencies. Areas of focus include illness or injury involving the neurological, and endocrine systems, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics and psychiatric disorders. Learning will be consolidated through scenario-based practice.
PARM1004 Advanced Professional Practice 42.0 Hours
In this course, students explore the professional accountability side of advanced care paramedic practice. Emphasis will be on roles and responsibilities of the Advanced Care Paramedic and concepts in paramedic research. Other topics include quality assurance practices in Paramedicine, utilization of community support agencies, working with other emergency services, promotion of the profession, self-development and medical-legal issues. In addition, skills to communicate effectively as an ACP using a variety of media and settings are incorporated. Students learn ACP documentation techniques using field-specific forms, in accordance with accepted standards, and develop verbal reporting skills to prepare for communicating vital medical information with Base Hospital Physicians and other emergency personnel.
PARM1005 Advanced Patient Care Simulation - Lab 42.0 Hours
This course is designed to consolidate newly acquired theoretical knowledge and advanced paramedic skills learned in the Advanced Paramedic Skills course. The student will apply critical thinking, advanced assessments and interventions in simulated emergency situations.
PARM1006 Unifying Concepts in Paramedicine 42.0 Hours
In this course, students explore clinical presentations, medical interventions and decision making skills through cased based discussions and literature searches. Patient care documentation and reporting is assessed and there is a comprehensive exam at the end of this course which integrates all learning acquired in the program.
PARM1007 Clinical Practice 240.0 Hours
The hospital clinical practicum will help students integrate knowledge and perfect skills that they have practiced and have been evaluated on in simulations. Advanced assessments, reporting, advanced airway management, and intravenous therapy will be performed in a hospital setting with direct supervision from doctors, nurses, and approved clinical educators. The students will perform skills in the adult and pediatric emergency departments, adult and pediatric anesthesia departments, critical care/intensive care units, respiratory therapy departments and specialized departments.
PARM1008 Internship 400.0 Hours
The student will be placed in an ambulance with an Advanced Care Paramedic preceptor/mentor. This will provide an opportunity to apply, integrate, and consolidate skills and knowledge acquired throughout the program. Upon successful completion of field internship, the student will have demonstrated all competencies on an independent basis. Delegated medical acts are performed only with the permission of the medical director.
Adults with significant life and work experience may receive credits toward a college certificate or diploma program through an assessment process.
More information about Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
NOTE: Information contained in College documents respecting programs is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. The college reserves the right to add or delete programs, options, courses, timetables or campus locations subject to sufficient enrolment, and the availability of courses.
Last Update: June 09, 2009.