About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 1 Year Graduate Certificate
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0854 P0854
  • Delivery Length: 1 Year
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Overview

Are you currently a Primary Care Paramedic looking to extend your knowledge and skills?

The Advanced Care Paramedic program builds on the knowledge and experience you have acquired as a Primary Care Paramedic. During your education you will attain enhanced assessment, knowledge and skills in the paramedic field. You will learn to use critical thinking and sound clinical judgement to effectively manage emergent and non-emergent healthcare situations within the community at the level of an Advanced Care Paramedic.

Highlights
  • Designed for current Primary Care Paramedics, the program meets the demand of Ontario’s emergency medical service organizations for advanced care paramedics.

  • Includes approximately 620 hours of hands-on, practical work experience.

  • Expert faculty with a strong background in the paramedic field.

  • Didactic portion of program is offered over two days each week, allowing you to maintain employment.

  • Upon successful completion of the program and provincial examinations, you will be eligible for employment as an Advanced Care Paramedic in Ontario.

Career Opportunities
  • Advanced Care Paramedic
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Courses

Term one (2024 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
EMRG9501 Patient Care Theory I 7
EMRG9502 Patient Care Practicum I 3
EMRG9503 Patient Care Practicum Advanced Skills 2
EMRG9504 Patient Care Practicum I Independent Study 2
EMRG9505 Pharmacology 2
Term two (2025 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
EMRG9601 Patient Care Theory II 4
EMRG9602 Patient Care Practicum II 3
EMRG9603 Advanced Care Professional and Medical Legal Issues 1
EMRG9604 Patient Care Practicum II Independent Study 2
EMRG9605 Clinical Practice 6
Term three (2025 Spring)
Code Course Name Credits
PRAC9701 Field Placement - Preceptorship 6
Program Outcomes Term: 1244
  1. Interact professionally with patients and others, adhering to relevant provincial and federal legislation and codes of conduct.

  2. 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

  3. Lead an interdisciplinary team to ensure optimal patient care

  4. Provide complete and accurate reports, in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards and established policies and procedures

  5. 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.

  6. Evaluate patient condition continuously, anticipating changes and adapting interventions to provide safe and optimal care

  7. Justify an intervention plan in accordance with ACP Medical Directives, best practices, evidence-based medicine and clinical findings.

  8. Perform basic and advanced life support skills safely and competently, including controlled medical acts, in accordance with established standards and Medical Directives.

  9. 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

  10. Formulate strategies for self-evaluation and for improving proficiency in the practice of paramedicine.

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Admission Requirements

Important: Admissions Dates and Deadlines
This program is
competitive
and has important application deadlines, which can be found at niagaracollege.ca/deadlines/.
  • Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) Diploma
  • Letter of employment with certification under Base Hospital Medical Authority.
  • A-EMCA Certification or equivalent from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Education Branch. Applicants with pending status are eligible to apply.
  • A minimum score of 70% on a pre-admission test regarding primary care theory.
  • Proof of English proficiency.
Selection and Ranking

Testing or other supplemental evaluation may be required.

In the event the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available seats in the program, selection will be based on Ontario residency and the most senior level final grade available in required courses at the time of ranking.

Learn more about admission decisions for competitive programs.

Note

Most private college courses and/or credentials are not acceptable as admission requirements for Niagara College programs.

Please contact the Admissions office at [email protected] for assistance.

Pre-Admission Requirements

As part of the admissions process some programs have pre-admission requirements.

Domestic Applicants:

Detailed pre-admission requirements for domestic applicants can be found at niagaracollege.ca/par.

Domestic applicants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Convention refugees.

Program Requirements
Criminal Record Check
  • A clear Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) which is less than 6 months old may be required before the start of placement beginning in Term 3.
  • Students will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) in order to be cleared for placement/clinical. Please note, in order to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS), students must be 18 years of age or older. If a student is not 18 years of age or older at the start of this program, they will experience delays in progression through the program.

  • Note: According to the Ambulance Act, all employers require a CRC for appropriate field placements and subsequent employment. Documentation for the CRC will be completed on orientation day by the program.

Communicable Disease Surveillance
  • The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS) Form must be completed and submitted to Student Health Services prior to the start of the program.
  • Please view the CDS Form and Checklist for health requirements at niagaracollege.ca/cdsform/.
  • If the CDS process is not completed your placement, clinic or co-op opportunity will be denied.
First Aid and CPR
  • Current Standard First Aid certification and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) is required by the start of the program.
  • CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) must be renewed annually.
  • All certifications must be met and remain current or placement/clinical will be denied and/or the student will be withdrawn from their current placement/clinical.
  • In accordance with the Ambulance Act, all Emergency Medical Services (EMS) placement sites require current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) at Level HCP (Health Care Provider), Adult/Child/Infant one and two rescuer CPR with AED and first aid for choking including artificial resuscitation using both pocket mask and bag-valve mask. (This program is designed for those with specific health care responsibilities).

Physical Fitness
  • Healthcare professionals are required to tolerate regular physical activity throughout the duration of their work day. Therefore, it is recommended that applicants have a high level of fitness when entering the program.
  • Students may be required to meet a Physical Evaluation Test (PET) and lift test.
  • Paramedic students are expected to complete the PET in a time not exceeding 3 minutes and 50 seconds and must successfully demonstrate the ability to lift a patient weighing 210 pounds plus the weight of equipment with a partner throughout the program.
Student Dress Code
  • Students are required to wear a student paramedic uniform; black steel toe and shank shoe/boots. An NC Lab shirt will be purchased by the program.
  • If you do not have an existing uniform that complies with the current Ontario EMS Health & Safety regulations, you will have an opportunity to purchase through the College supplier in September.
  • ACP student epaulettes will be issued.
Clinical and or Placement Requirements
  • Mask fit testing
  • Equipment training for placement agency as deemed necessary by the agency
  • Mandatory clinical and placement agency orientation sessions may be on campus and/or at the placement agency
  • Additional training as deemed necessary by the clinical and/or placement agency in accordance to Bill 18 may be on campus or at the placement agency
Educational Certification by the Ontario Base Hospital
  • All ACP students will be required to attend a mandatory training session with the Base Hospital and obtain the status of “Educational Certification” at the ACP level in order to perform ACP skills during placement. This is completed at the end of Term 2.
Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer/Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10 based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the following general personal computer technology requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop system running on an updated Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory.
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities (a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps) is recommended.

Niagara College will not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications. Any provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses (supported under the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system) will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: There is no support for Chromebooks or Apple products for this program. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Important: Admissions Dates and Deadlines
This program is
competitive
and has important application deadlines, which can be found at niagaracollege.ca/deadlines/.
Domestic Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

International Applicants

Sorry, international applications are not accepted for this program.

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Advanced Care Paramedic program below.

Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

The below is a tuition fees estimate ( what's this?) for the indicated start term. Tuition fees are set in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities fee guidelines.

Year: 2023-2024
Start Term: Fall

Expand each level below for a fee breakdown.

Year 1
Level one $5,124.39
Fee Breakdown for Level one
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$3,637.44
Ancillary Fees
$1,179.95
Material Fees
$307.00
Level one Total
$5,124.39
Level two $4,394.39
Fee Breakdown for Level two
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$3,637.44
Ancillary Fees
$756.95
Material Fees
$0.00
Level two Total
$4,394.39
Level three $4,416.39
Fee Breakdown for Level three
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$3,637.44
Ancillary Fees
$716.95
Material Fees
$62.00
Level three Total
$4,416.39
Year 1 Total: $13,935.17
Estimated Program Total: $13,935.17
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Advanced Tuition Tool

The tuition amounts provided are an estimate only ( what's this? ).

To generate a detailed fees calculation, which includes tuition, ancillary, and material fees for this or a different start term, please access the Advanced Tuition Tool.

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Sorry, international applications are not accepted for this program.

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The ACP program at Niagara College is designed to allow working and non-working PCP’s return for training in advance paramedic skill, offering full time classes over a 2 day period. While taking the ACP program, I was able to secure part-time employment as a PCP for Niagara EMS and continue studying. The high fidelity simulation labs enhanced my practical skills and having active Advance Care Paramedic’s involved as my faculty ensured I was obtaining the most current information.

Shayne Petrusma, program graduate
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