PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

Primary Care Paramedics in Ontario consists of a two year college program, including a minimum 450 hour preceptorship period with a local municipality Emergency Medical Service.

After the incumbent successfully completes this, it allows them to write a provincially regulated Ministry of Health exam entitled the A-EMCA (Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant).

The Scope of Practice of a PCP varies from service to service, but under the guidance of a local base hospital, may perform one or more of the following tasks (in addition to the Basic Life Support Standards 2.0):

Semi-Automated External Defibrillation
Oxygen Delivery
Administer Symptom Relief Medications (ASA, Nitroglycerin, Glucagon, Ventolin, Epinephrine)
Intravenous (Auxillary PCP): Dextrose, Benadryl, Gravol, Fluid rescusitation
Acquire 3-lead, 12-lead, and 15-lead ECG's

Advanced Care Paramedics, in addition to PCP training, complete an additional year of schooling, followed by extra on-the-road training. They may:

Perform all PCP skills
Intubation
Surgical Airways
Advanced Intravenous therapy (including IO, External Jugular)
Needle Thoracotomy
Synchronized and Chemical Cardioversion
Transcutaneous Pacing
Advanced Obstretrical assessments
Advanced Pharmacological delivery (20+ Medications)

Registered Nurses obtain a four year university education, which allows them to write a CRNE (Canadian Registered Nurse Examination). This certifies them with the "College of Nurses of Ontario" and allows them to perform numerous tasks under their own regulatory body.

A list of their complete Standards and Guidelines can be found here.

Lifeguards in Ontario is an individual that possess one or more of the following credentials from the National Lifesaving Society in this order:

1. Swim Patrol
2. Bronze Star
3. Bronze Medallion (Minimum 13 years of age)
4. Emergency First Aid
5. Bronze Cross
6. Standard First Aid
7. National Lifeguard (Minimum 16 years of age + above pre-requisites)

If you are interested in becoming a lifeguard, please visit the National Lifesaving Society.

First Aid and CPR Instructors are individuals that are able to teach the public various levels of providing First Aid & CPR.

These individuals must possess a minimum of 32 hours of in-class learning and obtain a minimum 80% on their examination as set out by the Canadian Red Cross Association. In addition, they must have an up to date First Aid and CPR Level "HCP" (Health Care Provider) credentials to be able to teach First Aid Level A and/or C.

Must be minimum 18 years of age
Level "HCP" First Aid/CPR
3 Years of First Aid/CPR certification (with concurrent re-certifications)

If you are interested in becoming a First Aid and/or CPR instructor, we highly encourage you to visit the Canadian Red Cross.