Program Overview

The role of a paramedic is one of the most rewarding and challenging careers around. When lives are at stake, you’re the one who takes charge. If you’re excited about being on the front line of medical care, Fanshawe’s two-year Paramedic Ontario College Diploma program will give you the specialized skills necessary to begin an adventurous and highly valued career.

Program Details

Program Code
PAR2
Credential:
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
60 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability

Full Time Offerings

2023 September
London
Closed
2024 September
London
Closed
Start Dates
Locations
Availability

Full Time Offerings

2023 September
London
Closed
2024 September
London
Closed

Your Learning Experience

You’ll receive an ideal combination of in-class and hands-on paramedic education, with classroom instruction reinforced during simulated training using Fanshawe's own ambulance and involvement with local emergency service providers. The curriculum will have you dig deep into the study of anatomy, crisis prevention, patient care and ambulance operations. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop strategies to help promote your personal health and well-being in a career that is physically and mentally challenging.

 

The practice of paramedicine requires a high degree of knowledge, competence, responsibility and accountability, as well as empathy, caring and compassion. Graduates will have demonstrated that they are skilled and knowledgeable clinicians, with sound clinical reasoning and judgment in assessing, managing and transporting patients. They will have proven that their clinical decisions are supported by best clinical practice with the ongoing examination, evaluation and interpretation of research evidence. You'll also participate in a full-time internship with a practicing paramedic in the final semester.

 

Fanshawe's Paramedic program is nationally accredited by the Canadian Medical Association and is currently the only one of its kind in Ontario to be recognized by the Canadian Armed Forces. 

 

Graduates of this program are eligible to write Ontario's Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant (AEMCA) certification exam. Upon successful completion of this exam, graduates will be qualified for base hospital certification and employment as a paramedic in the province of Ontario.

 

Career Information

Graduates of Fanshawe’s Paramedic program have a strong knowledge base and a genuine willingness to help others to the best of their ability. Our graduates depart the program as critical thinkers with a team-centered approach, good communication skills, resiliency and a high level of physical fitness. They are caring, community focused and have an appreciation on the importance of being a life-long learner. Graduates are eligible to pursue certification for employment as a primary care paramedic (PCP) at any community paramedic service in Ontario. As Fanshawe’s Paramedic program is accredited, graduates also have the option of pursuing clinical practice across Canada (province-specific licensure may be required). Other opportunities may include remote clinical practice (e.g., mining operations), medical and research clinics, and the Canadian Armed Forces which recognizes graduates and provides curriculum exemptions toward their medical assistant training. 

 

Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario? 

Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Paramedic program:

Primary Care Paramedic
Provide pre-hospital medical care and safe transportation of patients to hospitals and other health care facilities.

Paramedic/Event Medical Coverage
Provide first aid/emergency medical coverage at special events, such as (but not limited to) festivals, music or sporting events, movie sets, etc.

Paramedic/Education

Provide first aid training and certification to pre-hospital and other medical personnel

 

Train in a Realistic Emergency

Every year, Fanshawe holds an emergency preparedness exercise at its London Campus that simulates realistic emergencies to help test and train students and campus emergency first responders. The College is one of the only post-secondary institutions to provide an experiential learning opportunity on this scale. Students in this program will get the chance to participate in this exciting event.

 

 

 

Photo of Scott Bernaerts

Completing the Paramedic program at Fanshawe was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It was incredibly beneficial to have such knowledgeable instructors as hands-on learning was an integral component of my classes. I found the course content to be engaging and delivered in a variety of methods which catered to all learners. The combination of realistic scenario practice and in-field placements offered at Fanshawe provided the opportunity for me to be well prepared for my current position as a primary care paramedic with Oxford County Paramedic Services.

Scott Bernaerts
Paramedic graduate 2018
Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to

1. communicate and interact effectively and appropriately with patients and others.

2. assess patients using relevant theory and practices and in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards, and best practice guidelines.

3. establish patients’ treatment and transport priorities based on assessment findings.

4. implement preventive and therapeutic patient management strategies to maintain and promote patients’ well-being in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards, and best practice guidelines.

5. integrate and perform delegated controlled medical acts in a simulated, clinical, and field setting.

6. evaluate in an ongoing manner the effectiveness of patient management strategies used and adapt or change strategies to provide optimal care for patients.

7. report and document patient information completely, accurately, and in a timely manner, in compliance with current legislation, regulations, standards, and applicable policies and procedures in a simulated, clinical, and/or field setting.

8. ensure personal safety and contribute to the safety of partners, patients, and others.

9. ensure the operational safety and preparedness of an ambulance and its equipment and operate an ambulance-type vehicle in a simulated setting.

10. collaborate with a broad range of personnel such as first responders, paramedics, emergency services personnel, health care professionals, and other allied health care workers.

11. integrate and meet legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities while providing optimal care for patients.

 

Academic School

Contacts:

 

Program Coordinator:

Jenn Doyle

Open House Graphic

Specially-trained Fanshawe staff and students will tour you around the campus viewing key student spaces to provide you with a better understanding of the full student experience.

Register for Open House

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or a mature applicant with a minimum final grade of 65 in each of the following courses:

- Grade 12 English (C or U)

- Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U)

- Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry (C or U)

- Grade 11 Math (M or U) or Grade 12 Math (C* or U)

- In addition to meeting the academic course requirements, applicants must complete the Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics test (CASPer) assessment. See fanshawec.ca/casper for more details.

This is a competitive program; we receive more applications from qualified applicants than we have seats available. Applicants who do not meet admissions requirements may choose to do the one-year Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees preparatory program. Graduates who have a final cumulative GPA of 3.0 and no grade in the courses listed above below 65% will meet all the admissions requirements for this program, gain academic skills and make a future application more competitive. Please see www.fanshawec.ca/hcp for details on competitive programs.

* Grade 12 Foundations for College Math (MAP4C) may not be adequate academic preparation for this program. We recommend a minimum of MCT4C if applicants are choosing a college level Math to meet the requirements.

International students, please note: you must successfully graduate from Pre-Health Sciences before being considered for this program.


Competitive Programs
This is a highly competitive program; the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of seats available. Post-Secondary education may be required for successful admission to this program. Please see www.fanshawec.ca/hcp for details. International students, please note: you must successfully graduate from Pre-Health Sciences before being considered for this program.
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements

English Language Requirements

Test Score
TOEFL iBT 92 (22 writing, 26 speaking, 20 reading and 20 listening)
IELTS Academic Overall score of 7.0 with no score less than 6.5 in reading and listening and a score of 7.0 in writing and speaking
CAEL 70 in writing, reading and speaking and a score of 80 in listening
PTE Academic 65
Cambridge English Overall score of 185 with no language skill less than 176 and a score of 185 in listening
ESL4/GAP5 Minimum grade of 80% in Level 10
Duolingo Overall 135 with Literacy minimum 130 and no other subscores below 125

 

Learn More about English Language Requirements

Recommended Academic Preparation

Recommended Academic Preparation

  • Grade 11 or Grade 12 Physics (C) or (U)
  • Grade 12 Science (M)
  • Grade 12 Business and Technological Communication (O)
Applicant Selection Criteria

Applicant Selection Criteria

Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:
  1. Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
  2. Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
  3. Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Note:
  • Admission to the Fanshawe College Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees program does not guarantee admission in a subsequent year to the Paramedic program. Successful completion of the Fanshawe College Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees program, however, does enable the student to be given additional consideration when applying to the Paramedic program. The Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees program is the preferred designated preparatory program for admission to the Paramedic program. 
  • *Students who are currently registered in the Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees program at Fanshawe College or at any Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology must successfully complete their Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees Ontario College Certificate with a minimum 3.0 GPA by April 30, 2023 and meet the academic pre-requisite courses and grades for the Paramedic program in order to be eligible for admission consideration in the immediately following academic year to the Paramedic program.
Post-Admission Requirements

Post-Admission Requirements

The following items are applicable to the program and are time sensitive:
Immunizations
  - Required prior to first class
  - In accordance with Ambulance Service Communicable Disease Standard
  - Students cannot proceed to clinical placement without proof of immunization
  - Refer to mandatory immunization record
Please contact our Program Assistant and/or Clinical Liaisons for clarifications
Class 'F' Driver's License
  - Required prior to term two
  - Prerequisite for Ambulance Operations course
Police Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening
 - Required prior to first class
 - Including a check of the Pardoned Sexual Offenders Database
 - Must be current within 6 months of placement
Standard First Aid certificate
 - Required prior to first class
 - St. John Ambulance or Canadian Red Cross or equivalent
 - Must be current within 3 years
Basic Rescuer (CPR) certificate
 - Will be provided during first semester if not yet obtained
 - Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers (HCP)
 - Heart and Stroke Foundation or equivalent
 - Must be current within 1 year

Courses

Level 1
Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
LAWS-1003Medico-Legal Aspects of Emergencies2
This course is designed to provide the student with the ability to apply relevant legislation and regulations enacted by Provincial and Federal Governments to the practice of Paramedicine. The course will also present various legal issues, concepts of accountability, responsibility, confidentiality and consent to treatment as they apply to the provision of services by Paramedics.
BSCI-1013Crisis Intervention for Paramedics 13
The student will develop the ability to intervene in conflict/crisis situations. Problem solving, communication skills and non-violent intervention strategies will be identified and explored. There will be an emphasis on the safety of the paramedic and recognition of behavior patterns which may have the potential for violent encounters.
COMM-1015Professional Comm for Paramedics 12
This course introduces students to the formats and principles of effective communication in professional environments and paramedicine. Strong emphasis is placed on written communication, including professional format, correct and clear writing, and competent objective reporting. Group presentations help develop oral communication skills, collaboration, and professional presence. Cultural competence in medicine is one focus. Self-evaluation and reflexive practice are also covered. Academic research using reputable sources and correct citation is emphasized and required.
PARA-1001Patient Care 14
This course will present the introductory theory of emergency care as it relates to the assessment and management of a person suffering from selected illness or injury. Applying pathophysiological concepts, students will begin to develop the theoretical rationale to explain alterations in patients' conditions and predict expected changes in assessment findings. Concepts of how to prepare an ambulance for service will also be incorporated into the course.
PARA-1002Anatomy & Physiology3
PARA1002 is the first of a two-part course incorporating introductory aspects of anatomy and physiology, in order to introduce the study of 'normal' structure and function, to facilitate the recognition and interpretation of various homeostatic imbalances.
PARA-1003Patient Care Procedures 12
This course is a hands-on laboratory sessions designed to prepare students with the introductory skills needed to provide basic emergency care to a pre-hospital patient of an accident or illness and to provide care and protection against further injury during transport.
FLDP-1005Paramedic Practice 11.6
This is an introductory field practice course designed to provide the student with exposure to Paramedic Services and the role of a Paramedic. Under the direct supervision of a Paramedic crew, the student will observe and participate in patient care in the pre-hospital environment. Students will expand on patient assessment, communication, and self-evaluation skills introduced in the simulated environment.
PHRE-1003Physical Education2
This course is designed to develop physical fitness (cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, muscular strength and muscular endurance) through interaction with individual training programs and group athletic activities. Students will demonstrate and practice lifting and transferring of patients, utilizing proper posture and safe lifting techniques thus ensuring healthy back care.
View all courses

Tuition Summary

London

Canadian Costs
$9,634.14
Total Cost of Program
International Costs
$33,103.70
Total Cost of Program

*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.

 

Contact/Questions