Course curriculum

An accessible, research-based certificate program designed to prepare paramedics for their expanded role as Community Paramedics. Creating connections between paramedic services, staff and community partners, the Certificate in Community Paramedicine Care bridges existing skills and experience with the advanced assessments, critical thinking and care planning required to excel in this growing field.

  1. Introduction

  2. Professional responsibilities and allied agencies

  3. Mental health in chronic disease

  4. Geriatric care and the aging process

  5. Pharmacology for community paramedics

  6. Cardiovascular patients

About this program

  • 27 lessons
  • Clinical placement option
  • Certificate program (260 hours or 500 hours)
  • Asynchronous with peer & instructor interaction

What's included

  • Textbooks & Resources

    All textbooks and resources are included in the program fee and are embedded directly in the courses meaning students can seamlessly access and download textbook readings on their mobile devices or computer. *Textbooks are available in PDF and/or eBook format.

  • Peer Interaction

    Secure discussion boards are open for peer-to-peer interactions to help encourage group learning, professional collaboration and resource sharing. Boards are monitored by instructors.

  • Accessible learning

    Courses are designed as micro-learning experiences allowing students to easily work through each module in short bursts. This method makes it easier for those with busy schedules to get the most out of their learning.

Program Objectives

Preparing existing highly-skilled paramedics for their expanded role as Community Paramedics.

  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of the Community Paramedic and allied agencies

  • Understand and apply knowledge of the social determinants of health

  • Identify and manage compassion fatigue

  • Understand and apply support for the psychological effects of chronic disease

  • Review basic pharmacology and understand common pharmaceutical treatments in chronic disease patients (including medications administered by some Community Paramedics)

  • Expand knoweldge and application of pathophysiology, assessments and treatments for common pathologies of the cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine systems

  • Understand the aging process and common pathologies, assessments, treatments and community referrals for the older adult patient

  • Analyze and create collaborative care planning for common disease processes and patient demographics treated by Community Paramedics

  • Complete basic & advanced assessments and appropriately refer and report on common disease processes treated by Community Paramedics

  • Expand knowledge of mental health conditions, palliative care, laboratory tests and/or food & nutrition in elective courses (select 2 electives)

Enrollment Options

Pre-enrol your staff for January 2023 start (once this program is live in 2023, enrollment may occur at any time). Invoices and service agreements will be provided prior to students commencing studies.

  • Certificate in Community Paramedicine Care

    Students receive a certificate upon completion. Program includes asynchronous competency and research-based didactic lessons and one program coordinator guide to aid in supporting staff. 2023 tuition: $2200/student

  • Advanced Certificate in Community Paramedicine Care

    Students receive an advanced certificate upon completion. Program includes asynchronous competency and research-based didactic lessons, a skills program and a 240 hour clinical placement. (Note: specific clinical placement sites are coordinated by the paramedic service). 2023 tuition: $3200/student

  • Stand-alone Community Paramedicine Skills Program Package

    Designed for services who have not yet developed their own skills program, this competency-based program structure includes instructor guides, skills sign-offs, resources and evaluations. (Note: instructors are not provided for this program, paramedic services are required to use their own expert instructor(s)). 2023 one-time cost: $2500

  • Stand-alone Community Paramedicine Clinical Placement Package

    Designed for services who have not yet developed their own clinical placement program, this competency-based program structure includes instructor guides, clinical sign-offs, resources and evaluations. (Note: preceptors/instructors are not provided for this program, paramedic services are required to use their own expert instructor(s) and coordinate specific placement sites). 2023 one-time cost: $2100

  • Elective courses

    Students in both the certificate and advanced certificate programs are required to select 2 of the following electives (included in tuition): Introduction to Food & Nutrition, Introduction to Palliative Care, Introduction to Lab Values, Introduction to Mental Health Disorders. Students may be registered in these courses independently from the certificate programs. 2023 tuition for stand-alone courses: $240/course

  • CP Medical Directive Program Package

    This package is designed for services needing an online program that trains their CPs (and non-CP staff) on medical directives specific to your service. The package will include a training package (for an unlimited number of students) on your service's medical directives, case-based learning components and test-based evaluations. 2023 one-time cost: $2500

FAQ

  • How long do students have to complete the program?

    The didactic portion can be completed in as few as 4 months, however students can take up to a year to complete it. Skills lab and clinical components will be dependent on service scheduling and coordination.

  • We would like our staff to complete the skills and clinical portions of the program so they can receive an advanced certificate. Do you coordinate the instructors?

    Because of the unique CP programs in each service and a focus on collaboration between CP programs and other healthcare service in specific communities, we require that the paramedic service coordinates specific placement sites and instructors/preceptors. Students will be required to meet specific competencies so guidance and general placement site guidelines are provided (for example: a placement requirement of working with geriatric patients may include a local LTC with which the service is partnered, a mobile geriatric care team or a geriatric day program).

  • Is this program accredited?

    We are currently working on our accreditation application! The program has been designed as a competency and research-based education in preparation for advancements in national and provincial Community Paramedicine framework. The program will be updated annually as research, best practices and policy changes.

  • Can I register our staff for the program anytime or are there specific cohorts?

    We understand the unique challenges of prehospital scheduling, staff contracts and program budget planning. We also appreciate that each service has a different model for delivering training for their staff. That's why this program is designed so staff can be registered at any point in the year and their learning is self-paced an asynchronous, fitting easily in to your service's unique staffing needs. They will still be able to communicate with other students who are registered in the program through online discussion boards!

  • How do I know my staff are competent at CPs after taking this program?

    Students receive formative (knowledge check points) and cumulative (final exams) evaluations in each course. Evaluations are based on the content provided in videos, interviews, research papers and required readings. Content is competency-based meaning each course addresses specific competencies necessary for CPs to master. Instruction is provided using a range of resources and much of the content is reviewed or taught by healthcare experts in their respective fields for specific courses. We always recommend implementing a continuing education program for staff to ensure knowledge retention, patient safety and clinical competence and confidence. Each program coordinator will receive a training resource package to aid in supporting staff during their education and continued role as a Community Paramedic. If you need help creating a continuing education program, please get in touch!

  • Are staff provided with learning content or are they required to source content based on case studies?

    While case studies are used as one of many learning tools in this program, students will work through carefully curated learning content in the form of videos, interviews, podcasts, research papers, articles, best-practice guidelines and textbook readings in order to assimilate knowledge in each course. Students will receive required and recommended resources throughout the course allowing them to feel confident completing test-based evaluations. Students are evaluated throughout the course through knowledge checks, quizzes and exams and a final, cumulative case study presentation.

  • What are the prerequisites to enrol in this program?

    At this time, enrolment is only open to students who are currently working as PCPs or ACPs for a paramedic service.

  • How are we billed for our staff's tuition?

    Please pre-register your staff using the link on this page! For the January 2023 intake, service will receive invoices in late December/early January. Invoices can be paid by eTransfer, cheque or PayPal and are required to be paid in full prior to students receiving login information. After the program launches in January 2023, you'll be able to register your staff directly through this course page!

  • I have more questions!

    Feel free to get in touch with us by e-mail!

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