School of Health Sciences

Advanced Care Paramedic

Diploma
Advanced Care Paramedic

Program Overview

If you're a primary care paramedic who wants to enhance your skills, career mobility and earning power, Saskatchewan Polytechnic's nationally recognized Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) program will be of interest to you. More in-depth knowledge and training means you'll be able to administer a greater range of medications and perform life-saving interventions.

The Advanced Care Paramedic program also positions you for leadership roles in a growing number of settings. ACPs are in high demand in traditional emergency medical services, collaborative emergency centres, and industrial and community settings.

Advanced Care Paramedic is a two-year diploma program offered through Saskatchewan Polytechnic Regina campus and Saskatoon campus. The program builds on the Primary Care Paramedic program. You’ll get advanced training in recognizing and managing medical and trauma emergencies, particularly neonatal, pediatric and geriatric. You’ll focus on:

  • anatomy, pathophysiology, physiology, pharmacology
  • body system assessments
  • critical thinking and decision making
  • certifications in
    • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
    • Advanced International Trauma Life Support (ITLS)
    • Difficult Airway Course (DAC)
    • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
    • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
    • The Working Mind (TWM - formerly Road to Mental Readiness)

Hands-on Learning

  • Lab and Simulation Training - You’ll use Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s state-of-the-art lab and high-fidelity simulation facilities to apply your in-depth knowledge to real-world scenarios.
  • Field Practicums - You’ll work with an ACP preceptor in two supervised field practicums to hone your critical thinking and decision-making skills, and to strengthen your delegation and leadership skills.
  • Clinical Practicums - Hone your assessment, management and communication skills during two hospital-based practicums. You’ll get real-world experience in specialized areas, including emergency departments, operating rooms, and labour and delivery.
  • Inter-professional Education - In order to prepare you for an integrated role within the health care team, you will have the opportunity to work with students from other programs within the School of Health Sciences and the School of Nursing. Learning activities are designed using a problem-based learning (PBL) model and include high-fidelity simulations, interactive case-based table-top exercises, and collaborative skill acquisition.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Take your career (and your earning power) to the next level as an advanced care paramedic in emergency medical services, including fire, ambulance, and various aeromedical roles. Take a leadership role on emergency response teams at industrial facilities or mine sites. Take advantage of emerging career opportunities in collaborative emergency centres and in the community.

Do you need help deciding if these careers could be a good fit for you? Contact Career Counselling Services or check out the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics job postings.

Do you already know this is the program you want to take but need more detailed information or help applying?  Connect with a Recruitment Advisor.

Potential Careers

Sample Job TitleNOC Classification1Earning Potential2
Facility ParamedicParamedical Occupations (3234)$52,000 - $87,400
Flight MedicParamedical Occupations (3234)$52,000 - $87,400
Advanced Care ParamedicParamedical Occupations (3234)$52,000 - $87,400

Length and Start Date

Start Date(s):

December (Saskatoon); August (Regina)
Note: The Regina fall 2020 delivery will begin in November 2020


View latest program status info

Length: 65 weeks
Year 1 - 30 weeks; Year 2 - 35 weeks

Locations

  • Regina
  • Saskatoon

Admissions

Admission Requirements

  • Primary Care Paramedic certification from an accredited program or equivalent
  • Registered as a PCP of the 2011 National Occupational Competency Profile for Paramedics training (Paramedic Association of Canada, 2011) *
  • International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) Provider certificate
  • CPR Health Care Provider 'C' AED or equivalent
  • English Language Requirement

* Evidence of verification may include one of the following:

  • a Saskatchewan Polytechnic transcript indicating successful completion of all Primary Care Paramedic courses implemented during the 2013-2014 academic year or later;
  • a Saskatchewan Polytechnic transcript indicating successful completion of Primary Care Paramedic Upgrade (EMER 1638);
  • a valid Saskatchewan College of Paramedics licence indicating unrestricted practice of 2011 National Occupational Competency Profile at the Primary Care Paramedic level

Non-Saskatchewan Polytechnic graduates are granted admission to this program on a case-by-case basis.

 

Note

  • Accepted applicants will be required to provide evidence of a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search upon admission to the program. At the discretion of the practicum/clinical agency, you may be declined access to a clinical/practicum based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search. The cost of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search is your responsibility.
  • Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of Transferring Lifting Repositioning (TLR®) certification prior to entry into clinical/practicum
  • Accepted applicants are required to provide current immunization records and meet Saskatchewan Polytechnic immunization requirements prior to entry into clinical/practicum
  • Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of current N95 respirator mask testing prior to entry into the clinical practicum. The cost of N95 respirator mask testing is your responsibility.
  • Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of 2015 WHMIS Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification upon admission into the program. Recertification will be required every three years to remain current. The cost of WHMIS certification is your responsibility.

Special Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through a special admission assessment. Interested individuals should still apply. Applicants are automatically considered for special admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met. Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Special Admission.

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and Fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

 

2020/21 Academic Year

Year 1 - $9,545
Year 2 - $7,500

Get Credit for What You Know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.See links below to more information about PLAR and detailed PLAR candidate guides for the Arts and Sciences courses in this program. To discuss PLAR for other courses in this program, contact us at 1-866-467-4278 and ask for the Program Head of this program.


Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Graduates of this program may be eligible for block transfer of 60 credit units into the Bachelor of Science Post Diploma program or 30 credit units toward BSc (PD) with Majors in Applied Mathematics, Computing Information Systems and/or Human Science.
Graduates of this program may be eligible for a block transfer of 60 credit hours to the Faculty of Kinesiology or Health Studies or Faculty of Arts at the University of Regina or the First Nations University of Canada.

Student Awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

Accreditation

Accreditation Canada

Accreditation Canada is an independent non-governmental organization that operates globally as an affiliate of Health Standards Organization (HSO)

Additional Information

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