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Description

This two-year diploma program is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to practice emergency pre-hospital medical/trauma care and to function as an integral member of the health care team in assisting victims of injury or illness. Graduates of the program will have demonstrated the ability to safely and competently care for individuals of all ages, in emergency and non-emergency situations and to administer emergency treatment and care measures. The program is comprised of classroom, practical/laboratory, clinical and field placement.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program are eligible to write the Ontario Advanced Emergency Care Assistant Care Examination (A.E.M.C.A.) and, if successful, may be employed as Paramedics in ambulance services throughout Ontario. Opportunities for graduates may also be found in the field of health and safety, rescue or dispatch work. Please note that employment in Ontario as a Paramedic requires a current class "F" license and it is the graduate's responsibility to acquire this.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• utilize the process and criteria provided for primary and secondary patient assessment to determine manifestations and priorities of treatment;
• evaluate priorities of assessment and effectiveness of interventions selected in response to changes in assessment findings and or conditions;
• practice effective and safe care by following established policies and procedures, current legislation, regulations and standards;
• integrate and perform delegated controlled medical acts;
• demonstrate effective communication skills with patients, utilizing therapeutic approaches when required;
• communicate and work collaboratively as a member of the Emergency Health Care team;
• demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for the safe operation and maintenance of emergency vehicles and equipment;
• demonstrate the level of physical fitness required by the profession and the means of attaining and maintaining same.

Program Progression

Sem 1 - Fall 2011

Sem 2 - Winter 2012

Sem 3 - Fall 2012

Sem 4 - Winter 2013

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

Applicants following the OSS curriculum must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD - 30 credits) or equivalent. OSS applicants must also have Grade 12 English ( C) or (U) (ENG4C, ENG4U), any Grade 12 College Mathematics (MAP4C, MCT4C), or any Grade 12 University Mathematics, Grade 12 College or Grade 11 or 12 University Chemistry (SCH4C, SCH3U, SCH4U) and Grade 11 or 12 College or University Biology (SBI3C, SBI3U, SBI4U).

Applicants who are 19 years of age or over by the first day of classes, and who lack the academic admission qualifications, may be considered for entrance as mature students. Each applicant will be considered on an individual basis and acceptance will be determined by counselling, Communication Placement Assessment (CPA), previous post-secondary education and evaluation of experience. Some programs also have specific prerequisite requirements that must be met prior to admission. Mature applicants must meet all program specific prerequisites. Those applying as mature students and having no documentation of Grade 12 education must supply, if requested, proof of age, such as a copy of an official birth certificate or driver's license.

Hospital and Field Placement Requirements

Completion of college immunization record.

Hospitals and Paramedic Services who provide clinical and field placements will require a vulnerable sector screen (VSS) criminal record check for criminal offences. An unpardoned criminal record may result in inability to participate in clinical or field internship courses and prevent the student from graduating. In order to provide quality practicum placements, students will be placed in a variety of agencies in the region serviced by the campus. Students are required to provide their own transportation.

Students must also have completed a current Health Care Provider Level CPR (C) (includes theory and practice in artificial respiration, one and two person CPR, infant and child CPR, bag-valve-mask ventilation and defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) and provide proof of certification to the Coordinator. Online courses are NOT acceptable. CPR is to be renewed annually. Students must also complete a mask fit test during the first semester of classes and this is also to be renewed every year.

Selection Process

All applicants must write an admission test (HOAE). Selection is based on admission requirements, academic grades and testing results.

Graduation Requirements

20 Mandatory Courses

2 Communications Courses

3 General Education Courses

2 Field Placements

Note:

- General Education Courses are to be chosen from the College list of General Education

courses. GNED2028 Lifestyle Management is strongly recommended.

- A student must pass all first year courses prior to beginning the second year of the program.

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course, in each semester.

Mandatory Courses

PARA1000 Anatomy and Physiology 1

PARA1001 Communication for Emergency Health Workers

PARA1002 Paramedic Fitness Training

PARA1003 Patient Care Theory 1

PARA1004 Patient Care Procedures 1 - Laboratory

PARA1005 Medico-Legal Aspects

PARA1006 Anatomy and Physiology 2

PARA1007 Crisis Intervention

PARA1008 Patient Care Theory 2

PARA1009 Patient Care Procedures 2 - Laboratory

PARA1010 Ambulance Operations

PARA1011 Hospital Clinical 1

PARA2000 Patient Care Theory 3

PARA2001 Patient Care Procedures 3 - Laboratory

PARA2002 Advanced Skills for Primary Care Paramedics Theory

PARA2003 Advanced Skills for Primary Care Paramedics Laboratory

PARA2005 Hospital Clinical 2

PARA2007 Professional Issues, Research and Leadership

PARA2008 Paramedic Comprehensive Review

PARA2010 Pharmacology

Communications Courses

COMM1001 Communications at Work

Plus one addition communications to be selected from College list

(Note: this is in addition to any mandatory communications listed for the program)

General Education Courses

To be selected from College list

Field Placements

PARA2006 Ambulance Field Experience

PARA2009 Ambulance Field Consolidation

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

COMM1001 Communications At Work 42.0 Hours

Students develop their communication skills for the workplace. Using available technology, they research, write and edit work-related correspondence and short reports, individually and collaboratively. With audio-visual support, they prepare and deliver professional presentations that have vocational emphasis. In addition, students complete other communication tasks specific to their vocational areas.

PARA1000 Anatomy and Physiology 1 56.0 Hours

This course combines the study of normal anatomy and physiology with study of the related pathophysiological conditions that may be encountered in the field. The course will begin with an anatomical orientation to the body, and then build from cellular processes through inflammation and finishing with cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, muscular and skeletal systems.

PARA1001 Communication for Emergency Health Workers 42.0 Hours

This course is designed to provide the student with the skills to communicate effectively as a health care professional in a variety of media and settings. Students will learn the basics of medical terminology and will explore the theory and practice of effective listening and communication skills, conflict resolution. Students will also be introduced to documentation technique using field-specific forms.

PARA1002 Paramedic Fitness Training 42.0 Hours

This course is designed to provide the student with a general and job-specific level of fitness, enabling him/her to perform the physical requirements of a Paramedic. Emphasis will be placed on a strength component focusing on safe lifting practices. The student will receive initial instructions on how to assess, develop, implement and monitor their fitness level and personal training program and will participate in scheduled group fitness training sessions.

PARA1003 Patient Care Theory 1 56.0 Hours

This course provides the knowledge, skill and value base for critical thinking in the assessment and the interpretation of a presenting medical/trauma situation. It focuses on the ability to make sound judgments with implications for patient management based on assessment findings and priorities of treatment. Monitoring the patient's status is stressed in order to adapt to changes in the treatment and therapeutic approaches pertinent to the pre-hospital field.

PARA1004 Patient Care Procedures 1 - Laboratory 42.0 Hours

In this course, the student will acquire the skills necessary to perform basic assessment and pre-hospital care interventions to victims of trauma or the critically ill. The student will apply those selected laboratory skills for the provision of basic pre-hospital emergency care in various simulated laboratory settings. At the end of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate his/her ability to lift, transfer, position and transport patients in the pre-hospital setting (patients weighing up to 86 kg or 190 lb).

PARA1005 Medico-Legal Aspects 28.0 Hours

This course is designed to provide the student with the ability to apply relevant legislation and regulations enacted by Provincial and Federal Governments. The student will focus upon the accountability and responsibility of his/her own behaviours, by concentrating upon the legalities governing his/her professional duties. The student will understand his/her roles as an advocate for patient rights to dignity, privacy, confidentiality, and consent/non-consent to treatment.

PARA1006 Anatomy and Physiology 2 42.0 Hours

This course is a continuation of Anatomy and Physiology I focusing on the structure and function of organ systems during health and disease. The organ systems presented will include integumentary, endocrine, renal, digestive and reproductive. Fluid, electrolyte and pH balance, labour and delivery, and neonatal physiology will be discussed.

PARA1007 Crisis Intervention 42.0 Hours

This course provides the student with an understanding of interactions between patients, family members and caregivers in a variety of situations. The student will learn how to recognize, assess and intervene in situations involving stress, abuse, mental and physical disabilities, and death and discuss the impact of these situations for the patient, family and caregiver while being sensitive to culture, race, religion and gender. In addition, this course will provide students with strategies for ensuring their own personal safety and that of the patient, family members and bystanders as well as techniques to cope with stressful situations that may be encountered as paramedics.

PARA1008 Patient Care Theory 2 56.0 Hours

This course builds on the knowledge, skill and value base with emphasis on critical thinking related to criteria for assessment, interpretation of assessment findings and their implications for patient management. Additional focus is placed on the adaptation of the body by way of compensatory mechanisms. The related assessment and management are directed to the continuous monitoring of the patient's status, adapting to change in patient management and determining the potential for life threat.

PARA1009 Patient Care Procedures 2 - Laboratory 56.0 Hours

In this course, the student will acquire the skills necessary to perform specific assessment and pre-hospital care interventions to victims of trauma or to the critically ill. He/she will also learn how to recognize complications and minimize them, either at the scene or during transport by ambulance. The student will apply selected laboratory skills for the provision of specific pre-hospital emergency care in various simulated laboratory settings. The student will apply biomechanical principles to demonstrate his/her ability to lift, transfer, position, and transport patients in the pre-hospital setting (patients weighing 95.5 kg or 210 lb).

PARA1010 Ambulance Operations 42.0 Hours

In this theory based, non-driving, course, the student will learn to prepare, maintain and safely utilize an emergency vehicle in which principles of defensive driving will be discussed. The student will learn the role that operational policies and procedures play in the provision of ambulance service and perform these skills in the lab setting. The student will also gain knowledge of and utilize safety-related equipment and procedures and learn to work safely with alternate modes of patient transportation. In addition, the student will develop the skills necessary for performing radio communications and licensure to utilize the communication equipment.

PARA1011 Hospital Clinical 1 84.0 Hours

Practical experience will be provided in a number of hospital settings. Students will apply theoretical and practical content of previous courses through observation and participation in a variety of selected hospital departments. Students will gain an understanding of the role of hospital staff in the continuing care of pre-hospital patients.

PARA2000 Patient Care Theory 3 56.0 Hours

This course builds on the knowledge, skill and value base with increased emphasis on critical thinking related to criteria for assessment, interpretation of assessment findings and their implications for more complex patient management. The related assessment and management are directed to the continuous monitoring of the patients status, adapting to change in the patient management and determining the potential for life threat.

PARA2001 Patient Care Procedures 3 - Laboratory 42.0 Hours

This semester lab course presents students with simulated emergency scenarios, which require the student to provide emergency patient care in a specific format as per patient care guidelines. The learning in this course is contingent on the student's input, which is derived from their clinical rotations in both hospital and ambulance environments and other self-study. The subject matter includes (but is not limited to) the unconscious patient, the patient with dyspnea, the patient with chest pain and the patient who is vital signs absent. The student will apply biomechanical principles to demonstrate his/her ability to lift, transfer, position, and transport patients in the pre-hospital setting (patients weighing 95.5 kg or 210 lb).

PARA2002 Advanced Skills for Primary Care Paramedics Theory 42.0 Hours

This course provides the knowledge, skill and value base for the utilization of an advanced skill in a medical/trauma situation. It focuses on the ability to make sound judgments with implications for patient management based on assessment findings and priorities of treatment. Monitoring the patient's status is stressed in order to adapt to changes in the treatment and therapeutic approaches to the pre-hospital field.

PARA2003 Advanced Skills for Primary Care Paramedics Laboratory 28.0 Hours

In this course the student will acquire the skills necessary to perform advanced assessment and pre-hospital care interventions to victims of trauma or to the critically ill. This includes starting and monitoring IV's, administering Symptom Relief drugs and defibrillation's (SAED) to EHSB standards. He/she will also learn how to recognize complications and minimize them, either at the scene or during transport by ambulance. The student will apply those selected laboratory skills for the provision of pre-hospital emergency care in various simulated laboratory settings.

PARA2005 Hospital Clinical 2 42.0 Hours

Practical experience will be provided in a number of hospital settings. Students will continue to apply theoretical content of previous courses through observation and participation in various selected hospital departments. Students will gain a further understanding of the role of hospital staff in the continuing care of pre-hospital patients.

PARA2006 Ambulance Field Experience 84.0 Hours

This course provides the opportunity for students to receive practical experience in Emergency Medical Services (E.M.S.) in true emergency patient care situations to the community. Under the direct supervision of a paramedic crew the student will review, participate in, and analyze emergency situations which will form a basis for professional practice in the future.

PARA2007 Professional Issues, Research and Leadership 42.0 Hours

This course is designed to develop the students' critical thinking skills in identifying issues surrounding the application of skills, professionalism, the development of technology, to name a few, that are relevant to the field of pre-hospital care. This will encompass the development and use of strategies to be able to locate, select and discriminate pertinent information, to support decisions and assist in the growth of their professional role as a Paramedic. Ultimately, the students will appreciate their responsibility as leaders and/or agents of change in the future of pre-hospital care.

PARA2008 Paramedic Comprehensive Review 28.0 Hours

As the concluding component of the program, students enrolled in this comprehensive course will consolidate key concepts of pre-hospital care. Utilizing a student-centered approach, course participants will relate and integrate theoretical concepts previously learned with clinical situations. Challenges of the student to Paramedic transition will be thoroughly discussed. Students will receive individual feedback following a comprehensive evaluation of their theoretical and practical skills.

PARA2009 Ambulance Field Consolidation 350.0 Hours

This course provides the student with a concentrated period of field experience to further develop the ability to assess and meet the needs of the patient. Under the direct supervision of a paramedic crew the student will review, participate in and analyze emergency situations which will form a basis for professional practice in the future.

PARA2010 Pharmacology 28.0 Hours

In this course, students gain an introductory knowledge of the principles of pharmacology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, routes of administration, patient rights and administration of drugs. Students will study drugs commonly encountered during paramedic practice with particular emphasis on drugs administered within the scope of practice of Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) as per the National Occupational Competency Profiles drug list and the American Heart Association guidelines. Students learn to accurately perform medical math, make critical decisions and evaluate pharmacological interventions in the context of clinical presentations.

How To Apply

Last Update: July 28, 2011.