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Apr 24, 2024
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PUBLISHED 2023-2024 Credit Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Primary Care Paramedic
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 Return to: Programs in the School of Health and Public Safety
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Program Description
The Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program provides education and training for pre-hospital care professionals, preparing graduates to work within a multidisciplinary healthcare team. This program is taught by experienced practitioners and covers all aspects of pre-hospital emergency care. Areas of study include patient assessment, diagnostics, critical interventions and treatment, including Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS) and International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) assistance. This program is competency-based and provides applied theory as well as hands-on learning through high-fidelity human patient simulation education in the Centre for Advanced Patient Care Simulation as well as during practicum rotations. Working under the direct supervision of a preceptor, practicums occur in both hospital or urgent care and ambulance settings. Fast Facts
- This program includes face-to-face and online learning components
- Attendance at the program orientation session is mandatory
- This program includes mandatory classroom days for theory and psychomotor skill acquisition and practice
- Based on the availability of the practicum sites, students may have to travel or re-locate to anywhere in Alberta (and in some circumstances outside of Alberta) in order to complete their practica
- Students are responsible for any additional expenses related to their practicum, including pre-practicum requirements as outlined by the program, and relocation costs to practicum sites outside of Calgary
- Students require a personal computer with Internet access in order to complete the required courses. This must include a tablet (Apple or Android) with wi-fi capability to support the CompTracker system. Keyboards are advisable but not mandatory. Smartphones are not compatible with CompTracker
Your Career
Graduates are prepared for careers in emergency medical services or on industrial sites in rural and urban settings throughout Canada, as well as internationally.
Completion of a Primary Care Paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician certificate program is one of the admission requirements for the Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) program at SAIT.
Student Success
Job expectations for success in this profession include: - Fine motor skills
- Critical thinking
- Communication (speaking, reading, writing, and listening)
- Able to work independently
- Able to participate in classroom, lab, and practicum activities as scheduled by the program
- Adaptable
- Able to work well under stress
- Able to use technology
- Attention to detail
- Able to maintain professional behaviour; emotional self-regulation
- Able to wear Personal Protective Equipment for extended periods of time
- Able to work extended hours, including nights and/or weekends and shift work
- Able to tolerate the sight of human blood and tissue
- Able to assist in transporting, lifting, and positioning of patients and/or equipment
- Able to meet the physical demands of the job (e.g. spend most hours working on your feet, walking, repetitive bending, repetitive tasks)
- Able to tolerate latex and disinfection chemicals
- Comfortable with performing patient care procedures which may be sensitive or performed in close proximity
Students are strongly encouraged to refer to the ALIS website for career, learning, and employment information for Emergency Medical Personnel, the Paramedicine National Occupational Competency Profile and Alberta Health Service’s F.A.R.E. Paramedic requirements to ensure that they are able to successfully demonstrate the functional ability required to achieve all the competency-based objectives and bona fide occupational requirements for the program and profession. Some examples include: - Lift a stretcher with a 95.5 kg (210 lbs) patient with a partner from a lower level to the load position and back down
- Lift and carry a long spine board with 95.5 kg (210 lbs) and ascend and descend 10 stairs with a partner
- Push a stair chair 10 m with 95.5 kg (210 lbs) and ascend and descend 20 stairs with a partner
- Lift a bilateral side carry of 9 kg (20 lbs) of weight in each hand
- Front carry 18 kg (40 lbs)
- Perform CPR for 2 minutes
Credentials
After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) certificate.
All graduates are eligible and required to register with the Alberta College of Paramedics to work in Alberta as a Primary Care Paramedic.
Accreditation
The Primary Care Paramedic program delivered by SAIT is accredited by Accreditation Canada at the Primary Care Paramedic level and meets the Alberta College of Paramedics core competency requirements.
Progression
The progression requirement for students taking credit courses is a Term GPA and Total Institutional GPA of 2.0, with the exception of English Language Foundations and Academic Upgrading programs.
Admission Requirements
At least 50% in each of the following courses or their equivalents: - Math 20-1 or Math 20-2,
- English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2,
- Biology 30 or Science 30*
Proof of completion of an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certificate or a medical sciences-related diploma or degree or equivalent.
Students must be 18 years old by January 1 (second semester of the PCP program). All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada. *ANPH 209 (Anatomy and Physiology) can be used in place of the Biology 30 or Science 30 requirement. This course is available through Open Studies. Semester 3
Please note: depending on practicum site availability, PRAC 252 may continue beyond the spring semester.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate professionalism, legal/ethical behaviour, and teamwork within the work environment.
- Perform effective oral and written communication specific to the work environment.
- Perform health and safe work practices within the work environment.
- Perform effective patient assessment and diagnostic practices relevant to patient care.
- Provide safe and effective therapeutic interventions to patients in accordance with the Primary Care Paramedic scope of practice.
- Integrate assessment, diagnostic, and therapeutic practices during patient care.
- Prepare patients for safe ground and air transport.
- Perform safe road ambulance operation and continuous vehicle maintenance.
- Promote health and public safety.
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