Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP)

Ideal Candidate Profile

Admission Requirements (mandatory):

• Primary Care Paramedic certification
• Minimum of 1000 hours of experience as a Primary Care Paramedic
• Certification in good standing with your base hospital
• Successful completion of the Advanced Care Paramedic program admission exam

Skills for Success:

• Critical Thinking: Quick, rigorous decision-making, even under pressure
• Adaptability: Ability to handle a wide range of complex medical emergencies
• Leadership: Ability to lead interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care
• Commitment: Continuous learning and growth in paramedicine

Program Structure

Semester 1 (Fall):

• 2 days per week (two 8-hour in-class days)

Semester 2 (Winter):

• 3 days per week (two 8-hour in-class days, plus one 8- or 12-hour hospital placement day)

Semester 3 (Spring):

• 12-hour day and night shifts, including rest days, totalling 432 hours

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the program, you will be able to:

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 (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 patients’ conditions continuously, anticipate changes, and adapt 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 preventive and therapeutic interventions, while maintaining the safety of everyone involved, in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards and established policies and procedures.
10. Formulate strategies for self-evaluation and continuous improvement in the practice of paramedicine.

Employment Opportunities

After graduation and successful completion of the Ontario Advanced Care Paramedic exam, you can:

• Apply for paramedic positions anywhere in Ontario.
• Work with air ambulance services.
• Join land ambulance services.
• Pursue roles in government agencies.
• Explore opportunities in the private sector.
• Explore careers, wages, employment statistics, job postings, and associated education and training to plan your next step in advanced care paramedicine.

Helpful Resources

• Advanced Care Paramedic (Confederation College)
• Collège Boréal and Confederation College expand access to Advanced Care Paramedic program in Northeastern Ontario