Advanced Care Paramedicine - Distributed Learning banner image Advanced Care Paramedicine - Distributed Learning banner image Advanced Care Paramedicine - Distributed Learning banner image

Advanced Care Paramedicine - Distributed Learning


Start Date: January


Location: Prince of Wales Campus, Distance Learning


Length: 2 Years


Credential: Post-Graduate Certificate, Advanced Care Paramedic


Program Availability: Winter 2025 Term

Canadian Applicants: Waiting list

International Applicants with a Valid Study Permit: Waiting list

Other International Applicants: Closed



Program Availability: Winter 2026 Term

Canadian Applicants: Open

International Applicants with a Valid Study Permit: Open

Other International Applicants: Open


Get your certificate in Advanced Care Paramedicine


The Advanced Care Paramedicine distributed learning model offers practicing Primary Care Paramedics the opportunity to complete most of their Advanced Care Paramedic studies in a distance delivery format. The program mirrors the one-year Advanced Care Paramedicine on-site program but spreads the program over two years.

Build on your expertise as a primary care paramedic and prepare to play an expanded role as a first responder. Your training covers everything from operational and procedural skills to the skills you need to make critical decisions in an emergency. You will enhance your verbal and written communications skills, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills.

Paramedics need to be physically and psychologically fit for a variety of employment opportunities. Students in the Advanced Care Paramedicine Distributed Learning program will successfully complete the Paramedic Physical Abilities Test (PPAT) and have various opportunities to learn skills to support their psychological well-being.

Year One:

  • Complete one semester of online learning (January to April)
  • Attend an onsite three-week lab component (May to June)
  • Complete another semester of online learning (September to December)

Year Two:

  • Complete a semester mixed with an online course plus an onsite three-week lab component (January to April)
  • Complete a six-week clinical rotation (May to June)
  • Complete a 15-week practicum rotation (September to December). 

Throughout the program, students are required to attend two three-week lab practice and testing sessions on-site in Charlottetown and prescribed hospital clinical and ambulance practicum shifts. All clinical and practicum placements are in P.E.I., N.B., N.S., or N.L.  There is no guarantee students will be placed at their location of choice. Depending on availability, you may be required to go out of province and to several different sites within a province. Practicum and clinical placements may also be completed in separate provinces. All clinical and practicum costs are the responsibility of the student, including, but not limited to, travel costs, rental costs, lease breaks, uniform costs, and safety kit/PPE.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES


Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply an advanced knowledge of the clinical and biomedical sciences to patient care.
  2. Utilize point of care diagnostic tools and instruments to advance patient assessments as indicated by patient presentation and environment.
  3. Use sound reasoning and clinical judgement to establish patient care plans and prioritize care. 
  4. Recognize medical complexity, physiological instability, and other factors that contribute to adverse patient outcomes and adapt plans for care with consideration of a patient’s life journey.
  5. Adhere to pharmaco-legal responsibilities for administering and dispensing medications, including controlled substances and vaccines.
  6. Utilize therapeutic communication techniques for patients, care partners, and members of the health care team when carrying out all treatment.
  7. Engage in professional research and advanced learning as a commitment to patient care.
  8. Conduct quality improvement activities to improve paramedic practice.
  9. Participate in activities that promote lifelong learning, personal health and well-being, safe practice, personal development, and self-reflection.

The Advanced Care Paramedicine Distributed Learning program delivered by Holland College is accredited by Accreditation Canada

Graduates from accredited paramedicine programs have met competency standards as reflected in the Paramedic Association of Canada’s National Occupational Competency Profile and are eligible to write the National Exam for Paramedics in Canada (COPR). Successful completion of the exam is required for paramedic registration in many provinces in Canada, including Prince Edward Island. 

Financial Support for Island Students

Note for PEI Applicants: 

Residents of Prince Edward Island will receive financial assistance, including 100% tuition support to help them complete a post-secondary certificate or diploma and commit to working in Prince Edward Island.  The process to apply can be found here: Licensed Practical Nursing and Paramedic Support Program | Government of Prince Edward Island

  • Graduation from an AC accredited 2-year Canadian Primary Care Paramedicine program or equivalent
  • A copy of current registration or license to practice as Primary Care Paramedic within Canada
  • Current Heart and Stroke BLS
  • Completion of Immunization Verification Form (required after acceptance) (this is a PDF and will open in a new window)
  • Valid Class 4 (taxi, ambulance or small bus) driver’s license
  • Résumé including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program.

NOTE

  • If you are accepted to this program, you can book your immunizations and medical assessment through our Health Clinic. To book an appointment, please email npclinic@hollandcollege.com or call 902-566-9392. You will need your health card and your vaccination record. 
  • Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check: Before attending any practicum or clinical portions of the program, a student must submit a criminal record check and a vulnerable sector check. If the check indicates that a record exists, the student may not be able to complete portions of their program that are required for graduation. Any associated costs are the responsibility of the student.
  • If your first language is not English, please review our English Language Requirements page.

2024/2025 Academic Year

Tuition, fees, and other costs are listed in Canadian dollars.

Fees are Course Based

1st Year

Canadian

International

Tuition $5,230 N/A
Fees $3,173 N/A 
Other Costs $3,700 N/A
Total $12,103 N/A

2nd Year

Canadian

International

Tuition  $7,619 N/A
Fees $2,978  
Other Costs $4,550 N/A
Total $15,147 N/A

Canadian Cost Breakdown

Tuition & Fees

1st Year

2nd Year

Tuition $5,230 $7,619
Lab Fee $2,150 $2,150
E-Proctor $375  
NCPR Course - $80
Student Union $178 $178
Health Insurance Fee $470 $470
Grad Fee $100
     Total payable to Holland College $8,403 $10,597
     

1st  installment due first day of first semester

$6,311 $6,036
2nd installment due first day of second semester $2,092 $4,561
     
     

Other Costs
Please note: the cost of books, exams, materials, and supplies are included here for your information only, this amount is not payable to the college. Do not include this amount in your tuition payment.

1st Year

2nd Year

Books $1,000 $1,000
Materials and Supplies $200 $200
Equip/Tools/Uniforms/Teaching Aids/PDA $2,500 $2,500
Exam - $750
     Total $3,700 $4,550
     
Grand Total $12,103 $15,147
  • Ground ambulance
  • Industrial First Aid
  • Recreation and sports facilities
  • Emergency medical education
  • Medical supply sales
  • Emergency departments
  • Air ambulance
  • Communications centres

Course Code

Course Name & Description

Credit Values


Course Code:SAFE-1005

PEI Occupational Health and Safety

An overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Prince Edward Island. Students examine the legislation, how PEI employees are protected while on the job and the responsibilities of employees and employers.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:NCPR-3005

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support

The course is designed to give students the opportunity to practice and demonstrate proficiency in the following skills used in resuscitation: systematic approach, high-quality BLS, airway management, rhythm recognition, defibrillation, intravenous (IV)/intraosseous (IO) access, use of medications, cardioversion, transcutaneous pacing, and team dynamics.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:NCPR-3010

Pediatric Advanced Life Support

The Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Provider course enables healthcare professionals to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to better recognize and treat critically ill infants and children. The course materials are scenario-based, and a team approach is used to teach emergency management of pediatric patients approaching or already in respiratory or cardiac arrest, from the early minutes through patient stabilization and/or the transport phases of a pediatric emergency, in or out of the hospital.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:NCPR-3020

Paramedic Evidence Based Practice

Students develop a clinical query based on an approved topic of interest, conduct a literature search, select relevant articles, and perform a critique. The course is composed of a series of components, each including a lecture and/or large group exercise, followed by a worksheet and individual work, with the aid of course facilitators. To complete the course, students will compose a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT).

Credit Value:0


Course Code:NCPR-3025

Paramedic Physical Abilities Test C

Paramedicine is a physically demanding profession, and physical fitness underlies the Paramedic's ability to perform many job tasks. Successful completion of the Paramedic Physical Abilities Test (PPAT) is required for participation in the practicum course(s) in the Paramedicine program at Holland College. This assessment is also a current requirement for employment in most Atlantic province's EMS services. PPAT certification expires after six months and may need to be passed more than once throughout the program.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:PARA-3010

Prehospital Cardiology

This course focuses on the diagnostic tools and procedures required for the management of patients experiencing cardiovascular and endocrine complications. Students also learn the management of patients experiencing external hemorrhage and trauma and their relation to the cardiovascular system.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:PARA-3014

ACP Lab Theory and Professional Practice A

Credit Value:3


Course Code:PARA-3015

ACP Lab Theory and Professional Practice B

The course addresses topics pertinent to the Advanced Care Paramedic role such as advanced assessment techniques, and aspects of cardiac, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, reproductive, endocrine, and adverse environmental conditions. Additionally, facets of pediatric, neonatal, and obstetrical management are explored.

Credit Value:1


Course Code:PARA-3020

Prehospital Respirology

An exploration of the pathophysiology, assessment, and management of respiratory, neurological, and psychiatric illness. In addition to medical illness, topics include all aspects of airway management and trauma related injuries involving the above systems.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:PARA-3030

Prehospital Gastroenterology

An exploration of the disorders affecting the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and endocrine systems. Students will also explore human development throughout the lifespan. Students will gain skills and knowledge in the diagnosis and management of illness and injury to these systems.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:PARA-3040

Prehospital Immunology

This course is a case based exploration of immunology, infectious disease and toxicology. Students gain skills and knowledge in the diagnosis and management of illnessness and events that represent these medical displines.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:PARA-3050

ACP Lab

Through individual and small group instruction and practice opportunities in scheduled lab sessions students gain the confidence and skills integration essential to Advanced Care Paramedicine practice. ACPs in practice gather patient information, assess patient condition and initiate necessary medical interventions in a fluid, integrated, timely manner. The team approach to application of skills is an important theme in this course.

Credit Value:5


Course Code:PRAC-3000

ACP Clinical

A practical experience for the Advanced Care Paramedic student in a clinical environment. Students are exposed to various health care environments, are expected to perform effectively as a team member, and exhibit professional conduct in the work place.

Credit Value:8


Course Code:PRAC-3010

ACP Practicum

An on the job experience for Advanced Care Paramedic students where they are placed with a qualified Paramedic preceptor in the pre-hospital workplace for developmental mentoring and assessment of skills and integration of knowledge at the entry to practice level of competency. Students are exposed to the Paramedicine work environment and provide supervised care to obtain the confidence and skills integration essential to paramedic practice. They gather patient information, assess patient condition and initiate necessary medical interventions in a fluid, integrated and timely manner. They are expected to perform effectively as a paramedic team member and exhibit professional conduct in the work place and while involved with patients and other health professionals.

Credit Value:15


Related
Programs


Advanced Care Paramedicine

The one-year Advanced Care Paramedicine program will build on your expertise as a primary care paramedic and prepare you to play an expanded role as a first responder.

Additional
Resources