A new distributed learning program at Holland College will make career advancement much more feasible to paramedics across the country, Health and Community Studies program manager Rosemary White announced recently.

The three-year Advanced Care Paramedic Distributed Learning program will enable paramedics to continue to work in the field while upgrading to the higher classification, enabling them to further their careers without uprooting their families and giving up their jobs,” she said.

"Through a blend of teaching methods delivered primarily by the Internet, students will be able to complete most of the program requirements at home, or at work between calls. The first two years of the program are semester based, with each semester incorporating online learning, textbook work, and problem solving, most of which can be accomplished at the student’s location. At the end of the each of the semesters, a short on site session covering skills related to that semester’s topics will be held. The sessions will include classroom activities, skill teaching, practice and testing; and will provide an opportunity for guest lecturers and team building.

"During the final 12 months of the program, each student will complete their clinical and ambulance practicum hours and objectives. This component will be arranged to blend in with each student’s working schedule. The program will be registered for accreditation with the Canadian Medical Association.

Corey Banks, Division Manager for the Eastern Health Authority, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, sees the program as beneficial to both paramedics and the province.

The ACPDL program is an example of education innovation and collaboration that extends beyond the traditional classroom walls to provide benefits anywhere. We are really excited with the possibilities the ACPDL program has for us, and extremely pleased that Holland College is leading the way with such developments,” he said.

As the primary care paramedic develops to the level of advanced care paramedic, they will be in a unique position that will allow them to progressively integrate the knowledge they are gaining from the program. Additionally, they will have access to peer mentorship from ACPs within their local service. The province will gain, as we can start to grow our ACP compliment without having the increased demands on staffing related to temporary replacement and long-term recruitment and retention.  It will allow us to enhance services in the province without having an ACP program physically being here,” he explained. 

Craig Pierre, General Manager of Island EMS, agreed.

"By Holland College offering a distributed learning model of their ACP program it shows that they are listening and attentive to the needs of the paramedics that want to advance their education.  The ability for paramedics to advance their education to the ACP level while still in the workforce takes pressures off both the service and the practitioners."