Diploma in Paramedic Fanshawe College

The role of a paramedic is one of the most rewarding and challenging careers around. When lives are at stake, you’re the one who takes charge. If you’re excited about being on the front line of medical care, Fanshawe’s two-year Paramedic Ontario College Diploma program will give you the specialized skills necessary to begin an adventurous and highly valued career.

Your Learning Experience

You’ll receive an ideal combination of in-class and hands-on paramedic education, with classroom instruction reinforced during simulated training using Fanshawe's own ambulance and involvement with local emergency service providers. The curriculum will have you dig deep into the study of anatomy, crisis prevention, patient care, and ambulance operations. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop strategies to help promote your personal health and well-being in a career that is physically and mentally challenging.

The practice of paramedicine requires a high degree of knowledge, competence, responsibility, and accountability, as well as empathy, caring, and compassion. Graduates will have demonstrated that they are skilled and knowledgeable clinicians, with sound clinical reasoning and judgment in assessing, managing, and transporting patients. They will have proven that their clinical decisions are supported by best clinical practice with the ongoing examination, evaluation, and interpretation of research evidence. You'll also participate in a full-time internship with a practicing paramedic in the final semester.

Fanshawe's Paramedic program is nationally accredited by the Canadian Medical Association and is currently the only one of its kind in Ontario to be recognized by the Canadian Armed Forces.

Graduates of this program are eligible to write Ontario's Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant (AEMCA) certification exam. Upon successful completion of this exam, graduates will be qualified for base hospital certification and employment as a paramedic in the province of Ontario.

Courses

Level 1

General Education - Take a 3-credit General Education elective course

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

• LAWS-1003 ---- Medico-Legal Aspects of Emergencies
• BSCI-1013 ---- Crisis Intervention for Paramedics 1
• COMM-1015 ---- Professional Comm for Paramedics 1
• PARA-1001 ---- Patient Care 1
• PARA-1002 ---- Anatomy and Physiology
• PARA-1003 ---- Patient Care Procedures 1
• FLDP-1005 ---- Paramedic Practice 1
• PHRE-1003 ---- Physical Education

Level 2

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

• PARA-1010 ---- Ambulance Operations
• BSCI-3003 ---- Crisis Intervention for Paramedics 2
• PARA-3001 ---- Patient Care 2
• PARA-3002 ---- Anatomy and Physiology
• PARA-3003 ---- Patient Care Procedures 2
• PARA-1006 ---- Paramedic Practice 2
• PHRE-1006 ---- Physical Education
• HLTH-1101 ---- Research Principles: Intro

Level 3

General Education - Take a 3-credit General Education elective course

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

• COMM-3009 ---- Professional Comm for Paramedics 2
• PARA-3004 ---- Patient Care 3
• PARA-3005 ---- Pharmacology for Paramedics
• PARA-3006 ---- Professional Issues
• PARA-5001 ---- Patient Care Procedures 3
• FLDP-3001 ---- Paramedic Practice 3
• PARA-5007 ---- Physical Education 3

Level 4

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

• PARA-5009 ---- Comprehensive Review
• FLDP-5024 ---- Paramedic Practice 4

General Education Requirement

Take 6 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Levels 1 and 3

Program Residency

Students Must Complete a Minimum of 21 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and Graduate from this program

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to

1. communicate and interact effectively and appropriately with patients and others.

1. assess patients using relevant theories and practices and in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards, and best practice guidelines.

1. establish patients’ treatment and transport priorities based on assessment findings.

1. implement preventive and therapeutic patient management strategies to maintain and promote patients’ well-being in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards, and best practice guidelines.

1. integrate and perform delegated controlled medical acts in a simulated, clinical, and field setting.

1. evaluate in an ongoing manner the effectiveness of patient management strategies used and adapt or change strategies to provide optimal care for patients.

1. report and document patient information completely, accurately, and in a timely manner, in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards, and applicable policies and procedures in a simulated, clinical, and/or field setting.

1. ensure personal safety and contribute to the safety of partners, patients, and others.

1. ensure the operational safety and preparedness of an ambulance and its equipment and operate an ambulance-type vehicle in a simulated setting.

1. collaborate with a broad range of personnel such as first responders, paramedics, emergency services personnel, health care professionals, and other allied health care workers.

1. integrate and meet legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities while providing optimal care for patients.

Graduates of Fanshawe’s Paramedic program have a strong knowledge base and a genuine willingness to help others to the best of their ability. Our graduates depart the program as critical thinkers with a team-centered approach, good communication skills, resiliency, and a high level of physical fitness. They are caring, community-focused, and have an appreciation of the importance of being a life-long learner. Graduates are eligible to pursue certification for employment as a primary care paramedic (PCP) at any community paramedic service in Ontario. As Fanshawe’s Paramedic program is accredited, graduates also have the option of pursuing clinical practice across Canada (province-specific licensure may be required). Other opportunities may include remote clinical practice (e.g., mining operations), medical and research clinics, and the Canadian Armed Forces which recognizes graduates and provides curriculum exemptions toward their medical assistant training.

Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Paramedic program:

Primary Care Paramedic

Provide pre-hospital medical care and safe transportation of patients to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Paramedic/Event Medical Coverage

Provide first aid/emergency medical coverage at special events, such as (but not limited to) festivals, music or sporting events, movie sets, etc.

Paramedic/Education

Provide first aid training and certification to pre-hospital and other medical personnel