Emergency Medical Technologist - Paramedic (EMT-P) - CMA Accredited Advanced Care Paramedic
Program Overview
Canadian Medical Association - Advanced Care Paramedic (6 year) Accredited
The EMT- Paramedic program was specifically designed to the meet the needs of current EMT practitioners in regard to movement toward the provision of Advanced Life Support skills. The EMT- P program is the final step in the seamless curriculum developed by Professional Medical Associates. The program builds on the basic and intermediate skills of the experienced EMT
practitioner. Provision of ALS allows for additional therapeutic modalities and assessments to provide better patient care. The EMT- P provides advanced assessment skills as well as advanced airway skills such as endotracheal intubation as well as the ability to administer medications to manage various conditions of the ill or injured.
Major Skills
Through the course of the program, the graduate will learn various skills including scene assessment and basic hazardous material identification, assessment and management of the ill or injured patient utilizing basic and advanced procedures including manual defibrillation, advanced airway care such as endotracheal intubation and pharmacology; operation of various equipment including ambulances, communication, extrication and diagnostic equipment; and be able to work in a variety of environments from ground ambulance to air ambulance or within health care facilities.
Prerequisites
Applicants must possess and submit:
- A program application form with current information, required documentation, and program selection and assessment fee,
- A current Emergency Medical Technician registration card from the Alberta College of Paramedics,
- Letter of recommendation from either Medical Director and/or employer; and letters of recommendation from two co-workers registered at the ALS level,
- Certification of completion for Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS) within the two years, and
- Certification in no less than four of the seven Section 12(1) skills (including intravenous therapy, cardiac monitoring, Entonox inhalation therapy and MAST)
- Note: preference will be given to those working with EMT- Paramedics on a regular basis within an ALS service, meeting the above pre requisites.
- The selection focuses on the applicant's ability to succeed based on current and past work and educational experience. Applicants will be notified of selection process designed to identify suitable students.
Program Length
16 to 18 months (normally 70 weeks) depending on student progress.
Program Delivery
The program is centered around assessment based management of the patient, with the course divided and presented in terms of body systems. The delivery model allows the student to integrate various assessment and management modalities to present an overall treatment plan. The program is delivered in a series of comprehensive lecture and practical sessions on a rotational basis. The goal of the program is to allow EMT practitioners to attain employment at the ALS level, while maintaining current employment and building on existing knowledge. The didactic portion of the program is presented over a period of 7 months divided into 2 week blocks. The students are in class for approximately two straight weeks, including weekends, then return to their communities to complete the learning assignments and review the material for the following sections. Practical experience and lab practice forms an integral portion of the didactic portion and allow the student to gain a high level of competence and confidence in their ability to assess and manage the patient. The didactic portion is followed by an extensive hospital and ambulance practicum. The practicums allow the students to put their knowledge and experience to work, while allowing further learning.
Career opportunities
The EMT- Paramedic is responsible for the provision of basic and advanced life support skills to the ill or injured. Graduate EMT-Paramedics work primarily in the ambulance profession, with the service run by a municipality, Fire Department, private organization or in an industrial setting. Career advancement for the EMT- Paramedic may include administration and management, public and community relations, research and design or instructional pursuits.
Post Graduate Affiliation
Graduates are eligible to complete the Provincial registry examination process and apply for registration with the Alberta
College of Paramedics (ACP).
Fees and Expenses
Tuition fee (2008/2009): $18,900 to $19,900. Program fees for the program
include all associated certification fees (ACLS, ITLS, etc.) through the program, as well as all books, study manuals, learning assessments and assignments necessary for the successful completion of the program. Depending on placement for clinical rotations, additional costs for travel and lodging may apply in addition to costs for uniform for practicum.
Program Completion Requirements
A combined average of 85% for the program must be achieved, with a mark of no less than 80% in the individual courses.
Program Outline
PREPARATORY TERM 1
- Roles and Responsibilities of the EMT- P PARA 101
- Legal and Risk Management for EMT-P PARA 102
- Crisis intervention and interpersonal skills PARA 103
- Scene Management and Rescue Operations PARA 104
- Communications PARA 105
- Introductory anatomy and physiology PARA 106
- Patient Assessment PARA 107
- Airway Assessment and management PARA 108
- Pathophysiology of shock PARA 109
- Introductory pharmacology PARA 110
EMERGENCIES OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TERM 2
- Anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system PARA 201
- Pathophysiology of the central nervous system PARA 202
- Assessment and management of the CNS PARA 203
- Pharmacology of the central nervous system PARA 204
ENDOCRINE EMERGENCIES AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM TERM 3
- Anatomy and physiology of endocrine and immune PARA 301
- Pathophysiology of the endocrine and immune systems PARA 302
- Infectious Diseases PARA 303
- Assessment and management of endocrine and immune PARA 304
- Pharmacology of the endocrine and immune systems PARA 305
TRAUMA EMERGENCIES TERM 4
- Anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system PARA 401
- Pathophysiology of trauma Shock Trauma Resuscitation PARA 402
- Assessment and management of the trauma patient PARA 403
- Basic Trauma Life Support Course Advanced PARA 404
RESPIRATORY EMERGENCIES TERM 5
- Anatomy and physiology of the Respiratory System PARA 501
- Pathophysiology of the Respiratory System PARA 502
- Assessment and management of the Respiratory System PARA 503
- Pharmacology for the Respiratory System PARA 504
CARDIOVASCULAR EMERGENCIES TERM 6
- Anatomy and physiology of the Cardiovascular System PARA 601
- Pathophysiology of the Cardiovascular System PARA 602
- Assessment and management of the CVS PARA 603
- Pharmacology for the Cardiovascular System PARA 604
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support Course PARA 605
GASTROINTESTINAL AND GENITOURINARY SYSTEM TERM 7
- Anatomy and physiology of the GI/GU system PARA 701
- Pathophysiology of the GI/GU system PARA 702
- Assessment and management of the GI/GU system PARA 703
OBSTETRICAL EMERGENCIES TERM 8
- Anatomy and physiology of pregnancy PARA 801
- Physiology of pregnancy PARA 802
- Neonatal Resuscitation PARA 803
- Pharmacology of obstetrical emergencies PARA 804
SPECIAL POPULATIONS TERM 9
- Assessment and management of the Pediatric patient PARA 901
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support Course PARA 902
- Assessment and management of the Geriatric patient PARA 903
ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCIES TERM 10
- Assessment and management of environmental PARA 1001
- Behavioral /Psychiatric Emergencies PARA 1002
- Toxicology and Substance Abuse PARA 1003
SPECIAL SITUATIONS TERM 11
- Hazardous Material assessment and management PARA 1101
- Vehicle Extrication PARA 1102
- Emergency Vehicle Operations PARA 1103
- Aeromedical Operations PARA 1104
- Hospital Practicum HOSP 101
- Ambulance Practicum 1 ALS Practicum Rotation AMB 101
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