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 emergency medical assistant (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 six practitioner subsets within the EMA occupation:

• Emergency medical assistant first responder (EMA FR)
• Emergency medical responder (EMR)
• Primary care paramedic (PCP)
• Advanced care paramedic (ACP)
• Critical care paramedic (CCP)
• Infant transport team (ITT)

Programs for each of these specialties vary in length and intensity, between specialties and between educational institutions.

Emergency medical assistant first responder training typically takes approximately one week. Emergency medical responders train for approximately two weeks. Primary care paramedics (PCP) require a certificate program, including practicum, usually taking approximately three months to complete and additionally requires completion of a Grade 12 diploma. Advanced care paramedics (ACP) must complete a two-year diploma program after Grade 12. Critical care paramedics and infant transport team paramedics are specialized teams within the BC Ambulance Service with additional training requirements.

Primary care paramedics and advanced care paramedics also need CPR Level “C” certification.

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).

All levels of emergency medical assistants 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. See the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board website for information on EMR and paramedic training.

Most positions in this group require a B.C. drivers license, in classes 1, 2 or 4 with Class 4 unrestricted licenses preferred, and a driving record that demonstrates safe and competent driving behaviour. Many employers also expect their hires to pass a physical abilities test and a comprehensive criminal records review.

First aid attendants working in industrial settings must hold a valid certificate of Occupational First Aid (Level 1, 2 or 3) issued by WorkSafeBC 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. Qualification as an EMR counts as the relevant first aid certification. For information on first aid attendant training, see the WorkSafeBC website.

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 to 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.

B.C.’s population is both growing and aging, increasing career opportunities across all roles in healthcare. The demand for emergency services, including members of this group, is especially robust. Paramedics are now being used increasingly outside the traditional pre-hospital setting, further increasing demand. 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. Rural and northern communities tend to be particularly underserved, increasing opportunities in these areas.

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.