Are you a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) in Nova Scotia looking to advance your skills and career in emergency medical services? Medavie HealthEd offers a comprehensive Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) program designed to elevate your expertise and prepare you for the challenges of advanced pre-hospital care. This program is specifically tailored to meet the rigorous standards of the College of Paramedics of Nova Scotia (CPNS) and the national competency profiles, ensuring you graduate as a highly qualified and sought-after Advanced Care Paramedic.
Students in a Medavie HealthEd Advanced Care Paramedic Program classroom engaging in practical simulation labs.
Program Highlights: Flexible Distance Learning for Aspiring ACPs
Understanding the needs of working professionals, Medavie HealthEd delivers its ACP program through an innovative distance learning model. This format combines the flexibility of online education with essential in-person practical training. You’ll benefit from:
- Interactive Web-Based Classes: Participate in live, instructor-led virtual classroom sessions, allowing you to learn from experienced professionals and collaborate with peers from the comfort of your home.
- Hands-On Simulation Labs: Attend practical simulation labs at designated Medavie HealthEd campus locations to hone your clinical skills in a realistic and controlled environment.
- Real-World Clinical and Practicum Experiences: Gain invaluable practical experience through clinical rotations in diverse healthcare settings and a demanding practicum in ambulance services.
This blended approach ensures you receive a well-rounded education, combining theoretical knowledge with crucial practical application, all while accommodating your busy schedule.
Comprehensive Curriculum and Training Hours
The Medavie HealthEd ACP program is rigorous and comprehensive, designed to provide you with the in-depth knowledge and skills required of an Advanced Care Paramedic. The program encompasses a significant number of training hours across various components:
- Didactic Learning: 478 hours of in-depth theoretical instruction delivered through engaging online sessions.
- Practical Simulation Labs: 340 hours dedicated to hands-on skill development in simulated environments, ensuring competency in advanced procedures.
- Clinical Rotations: 192 hours of clinical practice in critical hospital departments, including emergency, operating rooms, intensive care/cardiac care units, and obstetrics, exposing you to diverse patient populations and medical scenarios.
- Ambulance Practicum: 504 hours of immersive practicum experience within an ambulance setting, allowing you to apply your skills in real emergency situations under the supervision of experienced paramedics.
In addition to the structured program hours, it is crucial to dedicate time for self-directed study. Medavie HealthEd recommends approximately three hours of self-study for every hour of didactic instruction to reinforce learning and ensure comprehensive understanding of the material. The total training commitment, excluding self-directed study, amounts to an impressive 1514 hours, demonstrating the program’s depth and intensity.
Admission Requirements for the ACP Program
To be eligible for the Advanced Care Paramedic program at Medavie HealthEd, general applicants must meet specific prerequisites to ensure they are prepared for the demanding nature of ACP training and practice:
- Physical and Mental Capability: Candidates must be physically and mentally fit to perform all duties required of an Advanced Care Paramedic.
- Good Health and Immunizations: Applicants must be in good health and provide a completed immunization record as proof of necessary vaccinations.
- Criminal Record Check: Submission of an acceptable Criminal Record Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) is mandatory for student safety and patient protection.
- Primary Care Paramedic Certification: Applicants must be registered or licensed as a Primary Care Paramedic (or equivalent) in a recognized jurisdiction, demonstrating foundational knowledge and experience in paramedicine.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Applying to the Medavie HealthEd ACP program is a structured process. Ensure you carefully follow each step to complete your application successfully:
- Online Application Form: Complete and submit the online application form available on the Medavie HealthEd website.
- Resume Submission: Submit your current resume electronically, highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
- Reference Forms: Provide two completed reference forms from professional references who can attest to your suitability for the program (reference form available on the website).
- PCP Diploma Copy: Submit an electronic copy of your Primary Care Paramedic Diploma.
- Paramedic License Copy: Provide an electronic copy of your current unrestricted/unconditional Paramedic license.
- Driver’s License Copy: Submit an electronic copy of your current Driver’s License.
- Application Fee: Pay the $100.00 application fee via cheque, money order, bank draft, or credit card (Visa/Mastercard – call 1-888-798-3888).
- PCP Level Exam: Write and pass the required PCP level exam to demonstrate your current knowledge base.
Following the successful completion of these application steps, qualified applicants will be invited for an interview with Medavie HealthEd Admissions Representatives, conducted either in person or via video conferencing.
Conditional Acceptance Requirements
Upon receiving conditional acceptance into the ACP program, students are required to fulfill the following before正式入读:
- Official Criminal Record Check: Submit an official CRC with VSC that is no more than six months old from the program start date to ensure ongoing suitability.
- Medavie HealthEd Medical and Immunization Forms: Complete and submit the Medavie HealthEd Medical and Immunization forms, ensuring they are no more than two months old from the program start date. These forms are available for download on the Medavie HealthEd website.
Final acceptance into the ACP program is contingent upon the successful receipt, verification, and approval of all conditional acceptance requirements.
English Language Proficiency
For applicants whose first language is not English, demonstrating English language proficiency is required. Medavie HealthEd accepts specific standardized tests to verify proficiency:
- TOEFL iBT: Achieve a minimum overall score of 96, with no less than 24 in each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing).
- IELTS: Achieve a minimum overall band score of 7, with no less than 7 in each band.
Technology Requirement: iPad
To facilitate modern learning and access digital resources, students are required to purchase an iPad that is not jailbroken and is supported by Apple for the duration of the program (Apple typically supports iPads for five years from their release date).
Diploma and Career Advancement
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will receive a diploma, signifying their achievement and qualification as Advanced Care Paramedics. This credential opens doors to advanced roles and greater responsibilities within Nova Scotia’s emergency medical services and beyond.
For further details regarding financial aid options, rebate programs, potential career opportunities post-graduation, and other relevant information, please visit the Helpful Links page on the Medavie HealthEd website.
Ready to take the next step in your paramedic career? Start Your Application Today!
