Emergency Medical Technology - Paramedic Diploma

Program Details

Program Phone Number

780-623-5347

Program Description

Many practicing Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are unable to leave their family, employment and/or community commitments in order to pursue a Paramedic diploma. The format of the Portage College Paramedic program offers EMTs a unique alternative to traditional full-time on-campus programs. By providing multi-modal instruction in a computer-mediated delivery format so students can remain in their home communities for the majority of the training period. Students attend a total of ten on-site training weeks in addition to the three field placements during the two years of training.

Credential

Diploma

Admission Requirements

• Completion of Year 1.
• Grade 12 with minimum 50% in English 30-1 or 30-2 (30 or 33), Chemistry 30 or Biology 30 or other 30 level science, Math 20 or 23, Math 20-1 or 20-2, Math 20 (Applied or Pure).
• Must be a registered EMT with the Alberta College of Paramedics, ITLS/PHILS within two years of course start date, CPR level C within one year, Criminal Record Check Waiver form, Criminal Record Check, Immunization record, medical form, Class 4 Driver's License and resume highlighting field experience.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must have an Ipod touch or Iphone for use with Comp-tracker program used for practicum competency tracking.
• Must attend onsite program orientation.

Please refer to the following link for minimum technical requirements at our Moodle Site.

Practicum

Clinical- Apr 21/14 – Aug 03/14, Intermediate - Jan 13/14 – Apr. 06/14, Final Ambulance - Sept. 01/14 –Dec. 28/14

Career Potential

A significant demand for Emergency Medical Technology-Paramedic throughout the Province in rural, urban and industrial settings provides graduates with a broad range of career opportunities. Graduates are also eligible to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Administration at Athabasca University, Bachelor of Health Sciences at SAIT, and Bachelor of Applied Emergency Services Administration at Lakeland College. Please contact these institutions for information regarding other prerequisites which may be required for admission to the stated programs.

Transferability

N/A

Program Schedule, Fees & Locations:

Please refer to the link below for current schedule and fees.

Program Schedule & Fees 2011 - 2012

Program Schedule & Fees 2012 - 2013

Course List

• EMTP202 - ADVANCED PARAMEDIC SKILLS

  Course ID: EMTP202

  Name: ADVANCED PARAMEDIC SKILLS

  Hours: 200

  Credits: 6

  In the Advanced Paramedic Skills course, students focus on relating knowledge and performance to skills practiced by Paramedics in the pre-hospital setting. Students apply these concepts through laboratory and scenario practice.

  
  
• EMTP212 - ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY

  Course ID: EMTP212

  Name: ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY

  Hours: 90

  Credits: 6

  This course teaches students advanced concepts and principles of pre-hospital drug administration. Students realize the importance of pharmacology and drug therapy as a complex role that sets the Advanced Life Support (ALS) Provider apart from the Basic Life Support (BLS) provider. Prerequisite – EMTP 211, EMTP 223

  
  
• EMTP222 - EMERGENCY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

  Course ID: EMTP222

  Name: EMERGENCY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

  Hours: 130

  Credits: 6

  This course deals with the diagnosis and treatment of both medical and trauma emergencies at the paramedic level. This diagnosis is obtained in combination with physical exam, clinical presentations, history, and diagnostic tests done in the field. Students will learn to differentially diagnose life-threatening conditions that must be mitigated in the field, from those that would more appropriately be managed in the hospital by a physician. Once a working diagnosis has been obtained, appropriate treatment must be initiated to decrease morbidity and mortality. Treatment guidelines are developed and discussed. Students will learn interpretation and understanding of diagnostic results as well as an understanding of the appropriate standard of care for effective treatment of those diagnoses. On-site labs are required. Prerequisites – EMTP 211, EMTP 223

  
  
• EMTP241 - AEROMEDICAL/SURVIVAL COURSES

  Course ID: EMTP241

  Name: AEROMEDICAL/SURVIVAL COURSES

  Hours: 105

  Credits: 6

  This course familiarizes students with the special aspects of patient care associated with air transport and survival. There is a focus placed on understanding how altitude and pressure affect human physiology, as well as the treatment variables associated with high altitude transport. This course has three components: 1. Aeromedical Theory 2. Aeromedical Practicum 3. Paramedic Backcountry Survival. Students must complete all three components of this course to receive credit.

  
  
• EMTP242 - HOSPITAL PRACTICUM

  Course ID: EMTP242

  Name: HOSPITAL PRACTICUM

  Hours: 270

  Credits: 6

  This course applies experiential learning concepts, while working within a health care facility. Students apply theoretical knowledge when completing research, patient care and competency practice assignments. Emphasis is on making students part of the local health care team. While practicing at an appropriate Basic Life Support (BLS) standard, students apply Advanced Life Support (ALS) concepts and psychomotor skills to actual patients. Students practice under the supervision of an employee of the clinical area with an understanding that students will master the ALS skills through consistent practice and evaluation. Prerequisites – EMPT 202, EMTP 222, EMTP 226, EMTP 231, EMTP 246

  
  
• EMTP246 - INTERMEDIATE PARAMEDIC AMBULANCE PRACTICUM

  Course ID: EMTP246

  Name: INTERMEDIATE PARAMEDIC AMBULANCE PRACTICUM

  Hours: 384

  Credits: 6

  This course gives students the opportunity to apply newly acquired knowledge, and practice new skills in the clinical setting of an ambulance. Emphasis is placed on history taking and physical assessment, while learning to develop a differential diagnosis based on the diagnostic findings and clinical presentation of each patient. Prerequisites – EMTP 201, EMTP 211, EMPT 223

  
  
• EMTP248 - FINAL PARAMEDIC AMBULANCE PRACTICUM

  Course ID: EMTP248

  Name: FINAL PARAMEDIC AMBULANCE PRACTICUM

  Hours: 576

  Credits: 6

  This course provides students with the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge in the clinical setting of an ambulance. Though students are expected to manage an ambulance call at the start of the practicum, they are under the supervision of a Paramedic preceptor to ensure the Advance Life Support (ALS) concepts are appropriately incorporated into patient care. Emphasis is placed on history taking, physical assessment, field diagnosis, ALS treatment and interpersonal skills. Students are expected to be functioning at a graduate level at the end of this practicum. The program’s practice for field preceptorships directly reflects CMA's position that all students must be in direct supervision while on call. This means that two-man calls are not acceptable.

  
  
• EMTP249 - PARAMEDIC REFRESHER

  Course ID: EMTP249

  Name: PARAMEDIC REFRESHER

  Hours: 420

  Credits: 18