Program Prerequisites
Primary Care Paramedic Program
The following list of requirements have been approved for entry into this program.
- Minimum 19 years of age by program start date
- Current ‘Emergency Medical Responder’ (EMR) certification
- Must be from an EMALB recognized EMR program
- Must include full schedule 1 and schedule 2 endorsements (or separate EMR Scope Update/Gap training course completed)
- Our sister company, Columbia Medical Training offers EMR courses throughout BC. These are taught by paramedics who are often former students. View course listings here
- Click here to learn more about upcoming changes to our EMR prerequisite (Effective Jan. 1, 2024)
- ‘Basic Life Support’ (BLS) CPR certification
- Formerly known as ‘Health Care Provider (HCP)’ level CPR certification.
- British Columbia grade 12 completion, or equivalent
- Applicants must have completed grade 12 in British Columbia or equivalent or be a Mature Student (see below).
- Documentation must be provided (high school transcript or copy of Dogwood certificate).
- Physically ability to perform the tasks required of a paramedic
- Formal documentation from a medical expert is not required, however applicants must complete a Statement of Fitness to self-certify that they are physically able to perform the tasks required of a paramedic. This requires a healthy level of:
- Aerobic fitness (eg. climbing stairs with equipment when elevator not accessible)
- Muscular endurance (eg. performing prolonged CPR on a patient)
- Muscular strength (eg. lifting and carrying patients)
- Flexibility (eg. treating patients on the floor or in difficult to reach situations)
- Formal documentation from a medical expert is not required, however applicants must complete a Statement of Fitness to self-certify that they are physically able to perform the tasks required of a paramedic. This requires a healthy level of:
- Criminal Record Check
- Our clinical and precepting agreements with BC Ambulance and various Health Authorities require us to ensure all students have provided a recent Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Clinical placements are a requirement for completion and any applicants with relevant records which bar clinical placements will not be considered for admission.
- Confidential Letter of Reference
- Applicants must provide a reference letter that should highlight the applicant’s ability to work as a paramedic.
- Must use confidential recommendation form supplied by Columbia Paramedic Academy
- Immunizations
The following immunizations must be completed for any students completing an on-car practicum:
- Mantoux: (TB test)-a baseline 1-step test or a test in the last 6 months
- Hepatitis B: Series of 3 injections at 0 month, 1 month and 6 months and antibody testing 2-3 months post 3rd injection
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): Childhood series and a second injection for measles
- Tetanus/Diphtheria: Booster every 10 years
- COVID-19 vaccination
- Hepatitis B antibody-post vaccine series
- Hepatitis C antibody
- HIV antibody