Where should I go to learn more about becoming a paramedic?! I am currently a 2nd year student at UBC majoring in Psychology. What do you recommend if I am interested studying and learning about becoming a paramedic and what steps should I take to do so? Thank you so much. This video was very informative!
For training the vast majority of paramedics in BC went through the Justice Institute of BC, alternatively people who have licenses from other provinces can challenge the exam in BC. EMRs training is about 3 weeks, and then requires licensure, working as an EMR will restrict where you can work (i.e., large cities dont typically employ EMRs in a meaningful capacity) PCPs can work anywhere in the province, the training is about 8 months long (which is divided by online ~1m, in class for 3-4 and then on car practicums for up to 3 months) - then you need to get licensed. ACP training is much longer, and more expensive. While I believe you could do PCP training direct into ACP training, it would be very risky (you may find it's not the career for you) Once you're licensed, your first station will be a rural/remote station most likely and will be a part time position. Part time is changing slowly, but don't expect to be earning a living wage (unless you're in a busy PT station, and submit 100% monthly availability) - it takes anywhere from 3-6 years to get a full time position in the lower mainland. -- that being said, if you have a part time station and wish to work in a city posting, you can submit availability to the city (as long as you've submitted your minimum for your primary station) and if there are vacancies (there always are) you can be scheduled to work cars around the city. It's hard work, and currently with both COVID and an opioid pandemic it's relentless. You're seeing people at their worst, you're expected to perform at all hours in very difficult conditions, stress levels can be enormous. It can be very rewarding, exhausting, heartbreaking, exhilarating -- you're likely to experience or see new things frequently, you need to think on your feet and you're in charge of yourself. It's an interesting job. I believe the JI holds occasional information sessions regarding hte paramedic academy (maybe not during covid) alternatively you can contact BCEHS and they may have information for you. And finally, BCEHS is the only ambulance service in the province, but with a EMR/PCP license you may find other work in different areas of the province (or sometimes in Alberta) working at work camps, oil sites and other industries. It's a newish (~40 years) field of work thats still evolving.
BCEHS dear god, the Men and Women that work front lines are doing the best they can with what they got... but the BC government needs to overhaul the entire archaic system no where else in Canada do medics sit on call for $2/hr. BC can rarely even fill shift requirements yet the government is one of the richest provinces in Canada. BC you should be ashamed and the Front line medics deserve better
Great job, horrible employer. If you'd like to be treated like radioactive dog feces work for Emergency Health Services BC (aka BC Ambulance). Abandon hope all ye who enter.
![A320 BIA 🇫🇷 Bastia | LANDING 34 Visual Approach | 4K Cockpit View | ATC & Crew Comm [RE UPLOAD]](/img/n.gif)
Where should I go to learn more about becoming a paramedic?! I am currently a 2nd year student at UBC majoring in Psychology. What do you recommend if I am interested studying and learning about becoming a paramedic and what steps should I take to do so? Thank you so much. This video was very informative!
For training the vast majority of paramedics in BC went through the Justice Institute of BC, alternatively people who have licenses from other provinces can challenge the exam in BC.
EMRs training is about 3 weeks, and then requires licensure, working as an EMR will restrict where you can work (i.e., large cities dont typically employ EMRs in a meaningful capacity)
PCPs can work anywhere in the province, the training is about 8 months long (which is divided by online ~1m, in class for 3-4 and then on car practicums for up to 3 months) - then you need to get licensed.
ACP training is much longer, and more expensive. While I believe you could do PCP training direct into ACP training, it would be very risky (you may find it's not the career for you)
Once you're licensed, your first station will be a rural/remote station most likely and will be a part time position. Part time is changing slowly, but don't expect to be earning a living wage (unless you're in a busy PT station, and submit 100% monthly availability) - it takes anywhere from 3-6 years to get a full time position in the lower mainland. -- that being said, if you have a part time station and wish to work in a city posting, you can submit availability to the city (as long as you've submitted your minimum for your primary station) and if there are vacancies (there always are) you can be scheduled to work cars around the city.
It's hard work, and currently with both COVID and an opioid pandemic it's relentless. You're seeing people at their worst, you're expected to perform at all hours in very difficult conditions, stress levels can be enormous. It can be very rewarding, exhausting, heartbreaking, exhilarating -- you're likely to experience or see new things frequently, you need to think on your feet and you're in charge of yourself. It's an interesting job.
I believe the JI holds occasional information sessions regarding hte paramedic academy (maybe not during covid) alternatively you can contact BCEHS and they may have information for you.
And finally, BCEHS is the only ambulance service in the province, but with a EMR/PCP license you may find other work in different areas of the province (or sometimes in Alberta) working at work camps, oil sites and other industries. It's a newish (~40 years) field of work thats still evolving.
go anywhere else in Canada, BCEHS was the best system in Canada....20years ago, too bad they never kept up with the rest of Canada.
BCEHS dear god, the Men and Women that work front lines are doing the best they can with what they got... but the BC government needs to overhaul the entire archaic system no where else in Canada do medics sit on call for $2/hr. BC can rarely even fill shift requirements yet the government is one of the richest provinces in Canada. BC you should be ashamed and the Front line medics deserve better
Great job, horrible employer. If you'd like to be treated like radioactive dog feces work for Emergency Health Services BC (aka BC Ambulance). Abandon hope all ye who enter.