Paramedical occupations

Employment requirements for workers in this occupational group vary based on the occupation and the employer.

There are four different levels within the EMA occupation nationally, relating to the level of training a worker has completed:

• Emergency medical responder
• Primary care paramedic
• Advanced care paramedic
• Critical care paramedic

In B.C., there are five practitioner levels within the EMA occupation:

• Emergency medical responder
• Primary care paramedic
• Advanced care paramedic
• Critical care paramedic
• Infant transport team

Critical care paramedics and infant transport team paramedics are specialized teams within the BC Ambulance Service.

Emergency medical responder (EMR) requires an entry-level training program in emergency patient care and transportation. Primary care paramedic (PCP) requires a certificate program, including practicum. Advanced care paramedics (ACP) must complete a diploma program. 

Critical care paramedic (CCP) is the highest level of paramedic certification within B.C. 

The CCP program training in B.C. is only accessible to advanced care paramedics who currently work for BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS). 

There are currently six levels of Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA) licences in British Columbia; each licence level increases the services EMAs may provide. The exception to this is the infant transport team that builds on primary care paramedic services but not advanced care or critical care paramedic services.

All levels of EMAs are governed by the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board. To be licensed in the province, graduates with certificates from a B.C. recognized training agency must complete the appropriate licensing examinations, which include a written exam, a jurisprudence exam, and a practical or oral exam.

Paramedics (PCPs and ACPs) and emergency medical responders (EMRs):

• Work for the BC Ambulance Service, which is the sole provider of pre-hospital emergency health care for the province
• Must have Grade 12 or equivalent, EMR licence or comparable qualification and CPR Level "C" certificate
• Who hold a minimum Primary Care Paramedic licence or equivalent are preferred applicants

Applicants for EMA positions of all levels:

• Must have a Class 1, 2 or 4 B.C. driver's licence and a Class 4 unrestricted licence is preferred
• Should also have a driving record that demonstrates safe and competent driving behaviour
• Must pass a physical abilities test and a comprehensive criminal records review

First aid attendants working in industrial or other settings:

• Must hold a valid certificate of Occupational First Aid (Level 1, 2 or 3) issued by WorkSafeBC (formerly the Workers' Compensation Board of BC) or the equivalent

Occupational first aid courses that are recognized by WorkSafeBC range in length from one day to 70 hours. They include a Transportation Endorsement for Level 1 and 2 Occupational First Aid attendants. Graduates must pass written, oral and practical examinations. WorkSafeBC recognizes an EMR licence as meeting Occupational First Aid Level 3 requirements in the workplace. However, Occupational First Aid Level 3 certification is not considered equivalent to any EMA license category.

See the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board website for information on EMR and paramedic training.

For information on first aid attendant training, see the WorkSafeBC website at https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/education-training-certification/first-aid-attendant.

Those who are certified for an occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

For details on how to apply for certification in B.C., contact WorkSafe BC and/or the Ministry of Health: Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board of BC.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Most of the opportunities will come from the need to replace retiring workers.

The creation of new jobs for paramedics reflects the fact that B.C.'s population is both growing and aging, which is leading to greater demand for emergency medical services. Paramedics are now being used increasingly outside the traditional pre-hospital setting. Some provide care in hospitals and in industry settings.

There may be increased demand for advanced care level paramedics in hospital emergency room settings and for rural health-care teams because of their greater scope of practice.

The majority of first aid attendants provide first aid services as one aspect of their job. Industry sources indicate there are many qualified first aid attendants in the labour market and that getting a full-time position as a first aid attendant is difficult. Those interested in working as first aid attendants must have other skills they can apply in an office or on a job site in addition to first aid skills.