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Ministry-approved title: Paramedic
Today’s paramedics must be both highly skilled first responders and compassionate caregivers who are able to meet community members’ emergent and non-emergent health needs on their level. In this program, you will build the diverse skill set needed to succeed in the field with a focus on medical theory and techniques, social and communication skills, critical thinking and effective decision-making. Training will also include clinical and field placement components, as well as an emphasis on physical and emotional wellness. Students are provided with 24/7 access to the lab and practice space to support their learning.
Please note: This program may be highly competitive and have a specific selection process and application deadline. Please refer to Admission Processes for details regarding highly competitive programs.
Interested paramedic applicants are also encouraged to consider the Emergency Services Fundamentals (EMSF) Certificate program. Unique to Durham College, this one-year certificate program provides foundational skills in communications, math, science, and other key areas relevant to emergency services and health sciences. EMSF is an excellent pathway to prepare for further studies in a related field. Learn more about EMSF here.
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Durham College successfully achieved accreditation for our Paramedic program in November 2005, making it the first college in Ontario to achieve this status. We continue to be accredited by Accreditation Canada.
Preparing you for employment, the program’s instructional techniques include:
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person with some hybrid course delivery
Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Personal equipment and uniforms are required to facilitate lab, clinical and field placement participation. With the exception of boots, all items are included in the Program Fee and will be available during the first week of class; specific details to follow.
Black, green triangle police-style boots must be purchased by from any outside vendor ($80.00 to $260.00; ISECO, Marks Work Wearhouse, Mr. Safety Shoe, etc.).
Qualified graduates can go on to take Durham College’s Paramedic – Advanced Care graduate certificate program. Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i3 RAM: 4GB Storage: 256GB SSD Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1 Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version) Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter Camera: Webcam/built-in camera Internet connection
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the school office.
The Living Lab at Durham College mimics a typical residential unit, allowing students to work through real-life scenarios that depict several challenges they will face in their future careers. Complete with obstacles to problem solve and work around, such as a living room, bedroom, kitchen, and laundry room, students learn to not only care for the patient, but to be mindful of their environment as well. In an emergency, a person’s life can depend on the decision making and the abilities of the paramedic to take swift action; the Living Lab ensures that the students are well prepared and confident to meet the demand of this challenging career head on. Students plan and try out what they learn in the lab and are able to apply the new knowledge to future situations. By going beyond the theory learned in class and learning by doing, students get first-hand experience of practicing what has been taught to retain the life-saving skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
The Paramedic program features a series of practicum opportunities in all semesters of the program. The first two semesters will include clinical opportunities interacting with patients in long-term care facilities. This will progress to hospital clinical rotations and an on-ambulance preceptorship with professional paramedics.
These practicum placements are designed to provide the opportunity to accept a series of graded responsibilities, progressing towards competency. All evaluations are conducted in accordance with the Paramedic Association of Canada’s (PAC) definition of competency.
This program also demands a high degree of physical fitness, flexibility and lifting strength. In order to participate in field placement, you must be able to:
Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV), immunizations, lab tests and certifications. Be sure to keep all of your receipts for income tax purposes. These costs include:
It is required that students have completed the ERV with Verified to be eligible for the field placement component of this program. You must (at your expense) provide:
Links:
For more information contact Hayden McIntosh, Student Advisor/Field Placement Officer.
Project Lord Ridgeback (PLRB) is multi-disciplinary experiential learning exercise that simulates a local disaster. Interacting with actors who play victims, casualties, emotionally distressed persons and the elderly in a staged, choreographed event, students from a wide range of programs learn by acting and responding as they would in real emergencies. Subject matter experts design injects into disaster-related scenarios which simulate authentic workplace demands.
Following the mock disaster, students participate in follow up exercises to apply learning in mock court testimony, critical incident stress debrief, crime-scene lab work, and form completion specific to their program areas.
Student participants are from a wide range of DC programs including: Practical Nursing, Primary Care Paramedic, Police Foundations, Protection Security & Investigation, Paralegal, 911 Call Centre Communications, Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations, Journalism Mass Media Program, Social Service Worker, Activation Co-ordination – Gerontology, Court Support Services.
Emergency Services Fundamentals (EMSF) is a one year certificate program in the School of Justice and Emergency Services. This program focuses on developing fundamental skills that will prepare you for entry into a college program in a related emergency service field such as paramedic, police foundations, or pre-service firefighter. Courses include communications, math, biology and chemistry, law and civics, ethics, fitness, and other topics relevant to emergency services.
Some EMSF courses may also qualify as General Education equivalents which can be used towards a diploma in another program.
Please note: completion of the EMSF program does not guarantee admission to other programs.
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