Paramedic students in uniform zipping up red first-aid bags in a simulation lab setting

Join the front lines of emergency medical care as a paramedic

Paramedic Ontario College Diploma program

Preparing students with the knowledge and skills to practise emergency out-of-hospital medical and trauma care. Featuring state-of-the-art learning technology and a nationally-recognized faculty.

Program code PARA
Duration 2 Years
Credential Ontario College Diploma
Program Delivery Full-time
Full-time program delivery method(s) In person What does this mean?

Program information

Program description

Students are prepared with the knowledge and skills to practice emergency out-of-hospital medical/trauma care and to function as an integral member of the health care team in assisting victims of injury or illness. Graduates of the program will have demonstrated the ability to safely and competently care for a diverse population in emergency and non-emergency situations. They will also be expected to administer medical interventions, including controlled medical acts, and provide compassionate care. The program is comprised of classroom, laboratory, hospital clinical and field placement experience.

This program is highly competitive. Learn about admission requirements for highly competitive programs.

Intake information

Start dateCampus
Fall 2023 Barrie

Tuition and fees

Work-integrated learning

This program includes a field placement component where you will gain practical, hands-on work experience in a setting relevant to your program.

What are the admission requirements for the Paramedic program?

Paramedic admission requirements

OSSD or equivalent with

  • Grade 12 English (C or U)
  • Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U)
  • Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U)
  • Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry or Physics (C or U)

All applicants must possess a minimum G2 driver’s licence (applicants with demerit points may not be eligible for employment).

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Pathways

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Selection Process

This is a highly competitive programThe overall minimum GPA is determined annually.

Applicants will be assessed and ranked based on academic grades. A minimum grade of 80% in each pre-requisite subject is recommended.

Additional information

Before enrolling in this program, applicants should be aware that under the provisions of the Ambulance Act, employment as a paramedic is prohibited to any individual who, in the past year has:

  • Received six or more demerit points on his/ her driving record
  • Had his/her driver’s license suspended in the previous two years
  • Been prohibited from driving under the Criminal Code of Canada within the past three years
  • OR has been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude for which she/he has not been pardoned.

These regulations can be found under the Ambulance Act of Ontario.

Completion of college immunization record

Applicants must have up-to-date immunization records (Clinical Preparedness Permit) in compliance with the Public Hospitals Act and the Ontario Ambulance Act. Completion and submission of this record is required prior to your first placement in order to ensure your placement in hospital clinical and field placements.
 
In order to provide quality practicum placements, students will be placed in a variety of agencies and services. While every effort is made to arrange placements in the planned sequence, placements are dependent upon availability and may need to be completed at a later date. Students are required to provide their own transportation.
 
Students must also have completed a current Health Care Provider Level CPR (HCP) and Standard First Aid includes theory and practice in artificial respiration, one and two person CPR, infant and child CPR, bag-valve-mask ventilation and defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) and provide proof of certification. Online courses are NOT acceptable. All certifications must be renewed annually. Students must also complete a mask fit test during the first semester of classes and this is also to be renewed every year.

Information about placement requirements

To help you navigate the requirements to complete the clinical placement component(s) of this program (e.g. immunization, First Aid and CPR, criminal record screening and other non-academic requirements), please review the details below.

For more information about placements, visit the Placement Offices webpage.

Placement requirementsGeorgian College Chevron

In order to provide quality practicum placements (“Placements”), students are placed in a variety of agencies, largely in the region serviced by the campus. Students are required to provide their own transportation to Placements. Placements may vary in length (e.g. six to 12 hour days) and may include weekends and evenings, with varying start and end times (e.g. day, afternoon, overnight).

Many programs, including Health and Wellness, have immunization, First Aid and CPR, criminal record screening and  other non-academic requirements that need to be met prior to Placements starting. You are responsible for carefully reviewing and meeting these requirements. The failure to meet them may mean that the host agency may refuse to accept you for a Placement or, if you have started one, that you may be prevented from continuing. The result may be that you cannot complete your program. Program-specific requirements can be found on page 2 of the Clinical Preparedness Permit specific to your program.

You are responsible for meeting all immunization, criminal screening and other requirements by the deadline provided by your program and before you start your Placement.

Notes regarding the Criminal Record Check (“CRC”) and Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS)

Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not yet pardoned or who have adverse entries on their CRC or VSS will be prohibited from proceeding to a Placement. Such a student will normally be counselled to withdraw from the program because the successful completion of a Placement is a program requirement.

Obtaining the CRC and VSS usually requires a processing time of up to 12 weeks and can vary between police jurisdictions. As some jurisdictions require longer lead time for processing, ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. Record checks and screenings conducted earlier than six months may not be considered current and not be acceptable. Refer to your Clinical Preparedness Permit for information regarding this. A host agency may refuse a Placement if the CRC or VSS is not satisfactory to it. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the necessary completed documents prior to the start of a Placement at the designated check time, and in the format set by Georgian College and stated in the Clinical Preparedness Permit Information Package. More information can be found on the Placement Offices webpage.

The costs associated with the provision of the CRC and VSS, anything related to them (including, if applicable, obtaining a pardon), and meeting any immunization and other Placement requirements, are to be borne by the student. The non-academic requirements of clinical agencies as described in the Clinical Preparedness Permit are subject to change at any time and host agencies may accept or decline students for any reason at their discretion. Georgian College  is not responsible for any of the costs associated with the foregoing, nor for the consequences of failing to comply with, any of the requirements set out above.  

What career paths can I take in paramedicine?

Your Paramedic diploma gives you many career opportunities

Graduates of the program are eligible to write the Ontario Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Examination (A.E.M.C.A.). If successful, graduates are eligible to seek employment with paramedic services and other agencies throughout Canada. Opportunities for graduates may also be found in the field of health and safety, event medical services and the military. Please note that employment in Ontario as a paramedic requires a current class ‘F’ license and it is the graduate’s responsibility to acquire this license prior to seeking employment.

Accreditation

Paramedic Association of Canada

The Paramedic program at Georgian College follows the National Occupational Competency Profile for Paramedics as approved by the Paramedic Association of Canada and is accredited by EQual™ Accreditation Canada.

Paramedic Association of Canada logo

What courses are included in the Paramedic diploma program?

Course overview

21 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses  
Clinical Placements
2 Field Placements

Program-specific courses

Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Paramedic program outline.

  • BIOL 1023 – Anatomy and Physiology – Introduction
  • BIOL 1024 – Human Pathophysiology – Introduction
  • PARA 1002 – Paramedic Fitness Training
  • PARA 1003 – Patient Care Theory 1
  • PARA 1005 – Medico Legal Aspects
  • PARA 1012 – Communication for Paramedic
  • PARA 1013 – Patient Care Procedures – Introduction
  • Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.
  • Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.

Your course delivery method(s)

In person

This program is delivered fully in person and requires you to attend campus.

Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.

Do you have questions about Paramedic? Contact us!

Thinking about applying to Georgian?

Contact our student recruitment team to explore your study options.

Already applied to Georgian?

Connect with the Office of the Registrar for admissions-related questions.

Are you an international student?

Contact our international recruitment team to learn more about studying at Georgian. 

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