Prior to being accepted into an Ontario paramedic school program, students must complete the following requirements during their high school educational career. Students must successfully complete a senior-level biology course as well as another senior-level science course. Furthermore, an Ontario Secondary School Diploma is required before admittance into a college paramedic program.
Further requirements for admittance to paramedic schools involve attending courses and passing evaluations on your free time. Each paramedic student must possess a first aid certificate as well as a CPR Level C certificate. Also, a class F drivers license is mandatory for all students.
In addition to certifications and educational requirements, each prospective student must have a completely updated and current immunization record. Individuals must also remain free of communicable disease.
Many of the accredited Ontario colleges offer the paramedic program, including those in Windsor, London and Niagara. Approximately 17 of the 24 Ontario colleges offer the paramedic program. The program generally lasts two years.
As of June 2009, the cost of a single year in the paramedic program in Ontario ranges from $3,385-$3,460 CAD. This price includes base tuition and book costs. The price also includes cost of a uniform and equipment, which will be used during the program as well as afterward on the job. Various medical forms, certifications and testing costs are also included in the price as they are mandatory to remain in the program.
The government of Ontario outlines requisite themes for all paramedic programs in Ontario. These themes include art in society, civic life, social and cultural understanding, personal understanding, as well as science and technology. These themes ensure that all Ontario colleges are preparing students in the paramedic program equally.
In addition to the themes, the government of Ontario has also identified six key skill areas. Students must be competent in all six skills to graduate from the program. The skills are defined by the government, further ensuring an equal educational experience at all colleges.
Upon successful completion of paramedic schooling Ontario, individuals will be able to competently respond to emergency injuries, illnesses, or trauma victims. Students will also be able to document injuries and communicate effectively with ambulance dispatch centers, doctors, nurses, police, firefighters, and family of the injured party. This will allow the graduate to obtain an entry level position as a paramedic. As of 2003, an entry level paramedic earns approximately $21-29 CAD per hour.