Primary Care Paramedic

Presented by Southeast Regional College in Partnership with SIAST

Location:	Estevan
Tuition:	$1756.00*
Books:	$500.00*
Start Date:	October 3, 2008
Prerequisites:	Grade 12 or Special Admission**: Must have: Eng A30 and B30; plus one of Biology 30 or Chemistry 30; overall average of 60% - Standard First Aid within two years of date of issue. - CPR Level C within one year of date of issue. - Must be physically able to perform the required tasks, including lifting and moving mannequins and live patients.

Please note that this course will run alternate weekends until October 2, 2009.

Friday:	3:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday:	9:00 am to 4:00 pm

(Information indicated with an * is an approximation and may be changed)

**Special Admissions requires applicant to write the ACCUPLACER, applicant must also
have either Biology 30 or Anatomy & Physiology.

* Accepted applicants will be required to provide evidence of a criminal record check prior to entering the field practicum. This may be obtained from you local police or RCMP detachment. Any associated cost will be your responsibility.
* Accepted applicants must submit Record of Immunization and completed Medical form from their doctor prior to the start date of this program. More information will be provided after acceptance into the program.

This program is part time study and will run alternate weekends. Class times are tentatively set at 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm Fridays, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturdays and Sundays.

The Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) Applied Certificate Program replaced the Emergency Medical Technician Certificate Program currently available at SIAST. This program will prepare you to be an integral part of the health care team working in the field of prehospital emergency care.

Once you complete the theory components of the program you will be required to participate in a field (ambulance) practicum and a clinical (hospital) practicum.

Upon graduation, you may find employment in ambulance operations, fire services, industrial or mining sites, military, first responder groups and special care homes.

Accepted applicants may be required to provide evidence of a criminal record check prior to entering the field practicum. This may be obtained from your local Police or RCMP Detachment. Any associated costs are the responsibility of the student.

 

Your studies will focus on professionalism and leadership in Emergency Medical Services. You will demonstrate effective communication strategies. Research and Quality Assurance programs relevant to EMS will also be covered. Your learning activities will include participating in discussion and research groups. You will also complete research assignments related to Emergency Medical Services in Canada.

You will perform physical assessments of various systems (including cardiac, respiratory and neurological systems). You will study the fundamentals of lifting, moving and transporting patients by land ambulance. The course content includes the basic principles of aeromedical transport.

You will recognize and manage imminent labour and childbirth and discuss care of the neonate. Your studies will focus on recognizing and managing common pediatric diseases (including croup, asthma, fever and seizures).

You will recognize and manage common cardiac emergencies (including hypertension, myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest). Your studies will include dynamic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR on-the-move). Certification in Automated External Defibrillation (AED) is also provided.

You will recognize and manage common respiratory emergencies (including asthma, anaphylaxis and respiratory arrest). Your studies will include oxygen administration, bag-valve-mask resuscitation and the use of various respiratory support devices.

Your studies will prepare you to recognize and manage common geriatric diseases and psychiatric illnesses. You will develop a basic understanding of illness and managing the physically and mentally challenged patient. The course content includes patients with terminal illnesses.

You will perform patient assessments and provide safe and competent care to simulated patients in pre-hospital and hospital environments. Therapeutic integration will follow provincial emergency treatment protocols. Some local hospital treatment protocols may apply.

You will participate as a member of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Team. Your patient assessment, communication and management skills will be evaluated in a supervised pre-hospital setting.

You will participate as a member of the Health Care Team. Your patient assessment, communication and management skills will be evaluated in a supervised hospital setting.

Your studies will prepare you to recognize and manage common traumatic injuries. The course content includes spinal and head injuries, fracture care and certification in Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS).

You will recognize and manage common medical emergencies (including seizures, diabetes and stroke). You will also study common environmental emergencies (such as burns and hypothermia).

Your studies will focus on the basic principles of pharmacology and common medication classifications. You will participate in medication administration lab sessions.

You will study and practice strategies for healthy living. Your studies will focus on workplace safety and recognizing dangerous goods. The course content includes communicable diseases and their prevention, and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)