School of Health Sciences

Community Paramedic

Advanced Certificate
Community Paramedic

Program Overview

Our communities are experiencing increasing demand on health-care services where residents have limited access to the services required. That's where the community paramedic comes in. Community paramedics use their mobile care response skills to bring services to members of the community who may not be able to access available services otherwise. They work collaboratively with health-care professionals in the community to provide faster and more efficient health-care services.

The Community Paramedic advanced certificate program will enhance your training as a primary care or advanced care paramedic to focus on prevention, client education, geriatrics, palliative care, mental health and addictions, and chronic disease management. It builds on the on-site response expertise you have already obtained so you can apply it to caring for patients in their homes and community.

Community Paramedic is a 30-week program offered via a combination of online learning and hands-on lab and clinical practice experiences through Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon Campus. On-site labs and community-based clinical experiences will enable you to apply the knowledge, theory and skills you acquire in a variety of environments. You will spend 53 hours in hands-on, practical labs building your competency in specialized skills. During a clinical practicum, you will be able to use these skills in the real world. Your practicum may be completed in a variety of settings such as long-term care, mental health, community clinics and more.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Community paramedic is a rewarding career with an expanding range of job opportunities. Graduates from the program may be employed by ambulance services or health authorities. Roles can include opportunities in collaborative emergency centres, mobile health units and community services.

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.

Length and Start Date

Start Date(s):

September


Length: 30 weeks

Locations

  • Saskatoon
  • Online/Distance options available

    • Some programs offered online or otherwise by distance (i.e., correspondence) include on-site labs, clinicals, practicums or work experiences. They may be offered course-by-course or full-time, or both, and deliveries may change over time.

Part-time Delivery

To graduate and receive a credential for this program, part-time students must apply to the program and be admitted before taking any program courses.

View the program page for a complete list of courses and additional information.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

  • Current Paramedic Licence
    • Primary Care Paramedic or Advanced Care Paramedic certification from an accredited program or equivalent
    • Verification of 2011 National Occupational Competency Profile for Paramedics training (Paramedic Association of Canada, 2011) *
    • Minimum two years work-related experience (you must provide verification of your work experience)
  • 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.

Note: Non-Saskatchewan Polytechnic graduates will be granted admission to this program on a case-by-case basis.

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.

 

2019/20 Academic Year

$7,550

This program is not eligible for the Canada-Saskatchewan student loan program.

Courses

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Semester 1

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
GERI 100
Geriatric Care
2
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You will focus on the principles of geriatric assessment and care. You will study dementia patient care, housing options available to geriatrics and the use of various assessment tools. You will participate in labs and online discussions designed to help you develop the skills required to provide care to a geriatric patient. Upon completion of this course you will receive a certificate of participation in Gentle Persuasive Approach.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online
HLTH 100
Specialized Therapeutics
3
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You will study advanced assessments and focus on the skills involved in community patient care. You will study the fundamentals of safe specimen collection and immunizations. You will participate in labs and online discussions that will help you to develop the skills necessary for assessing and providing care for patients specific to home health, wound care, phlebotomy and immunizations. Upon completion of this course you will receive a statement of achievement in phlebotomy, spirometry and Transportation of Dangerous Goods.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): GERI 100, HLTH 101, HLTH 102, HLTH 103, MHA 100, PALL 100
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
HLTH 101
Chronic Disease Management
3
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You will study the pathophysiology of common disease processes. You will focus on the management of diabetes, chronic pain, cancer and respiratory and cardiac disorders. You will also study culture and ethnicity and the care of special needs patients. You will participate in labs and online discussions designed to help develop the skills required to assess and assist a patient in their chronic disease management.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
HLTH 102
Community Paramedic Role and Prevention Strategies
3
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You will study the role of a community paramedic as both members of a health care team and in health promotion. You will focus on determinants of health, the concepts of primary health care and how health care services are delivered. You will also explore the different health related community resources and housing options available. You will participate in online discussions to help you to better understand the role of a community paramedic.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online
HLTH 103
Community Assessment
3
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You will perform a community assessment by identifying community services available, health status, demographics and current gaps in health services. You will use your results to design a plan for implementation of a community paramedic.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online
MHA 100
Mental Health and Addictions
3
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You will study mental health disorders, chemical dependency and how the effects of stigma can impact a patient. You will examine detoxification management and practice motivational interviewing. You will participate in labs and online discussions to help you develop the skills required to provide care to mental health or chemically dependent patients.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online
PALL 100
Palliative Care
2
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You will focus on the process of dying and the impact it has on a palliative patient's family. You will study palliative patient care and the strategies used to assist health care workers when providing care to a palliative patient. You will participate in labs and online discussions to help you develop the skills required to provide care to a palliative patient.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
Total semester credits: 19

Semester 2

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
PRAC 113
Community Paramedic Practicum
14
Show course details
You will participate in a clinical practicum placement with a preceptor. This placement will take place in a variety of community-based client care facilities. You will conduct assessments, develop plans, and care for patients in the community including palliative, mental health, substance abuse, home health, geriatric and dementia patients. You will practice effective communication and function as an effective team member while complying with relevant legislation. This practicum will allow you to apply all skills and knowledge gained in the previous Community Paramedic courses.
Credit Units: 14
Course Hours: 210.0
Prerequisites(s): GERI 100, HLTH 100, HLTH 101, HLTH 102, HLTH 103, MHA 100, PALL 100
Potential Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum, Clinical/Practicum-Individual
Total semester credits: 14

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 link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.


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.

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.

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