Paramedic Care

The program provides an integrated vision of pre-hospital care. Students will learn patient assessment, transportation techniques, medical emergencies, pharmacology, pre-hospital trauma life support, advanced cardiac life support, emergency vehicle operations (a probationary driver’s license is required on admission), and crisis intervention, among others.

There is a significant fieldwork/stage component in hospital and in ambulances which requires students to be fluently bilingual in both English and French.

As required, the patient is transported to the appropriate receiving centre. The care given by the paramedic may include:

• providing CPR (including intubation, defibrillation and administering oxygen);
• administering medications;
• stabilizing and improving the person’s condition;
• transferring patient care and information relative to the situation and condition.

John Abbott College is the only CEGEP in Québec to offer the Paramedic Care program in English. Completion of this DEC allows the student to challenge the Québec provincial certification exam, the Programme nationale d’intégration Clinique (PNIC).

The graduating student is required to pass the PNIC in order to be hired by an ambulance service in the province of Québec.

Once in possession of their licence, graduates have the opportunity to work in any Canadian province.

This program is for you if you possess these qualities…

• leadership
• communication skills
• team spirit
• initiative
• organization skills
• critical thinking
• stress management
• analytical mind
• adaptability
• intellectual rigor
• bilingualism
• physical fitness

Where Paramedic Care can take you!

Career opportunities include: Emergency Medical Services, centres for First Aid training, the Canadian Armed Forces, fire and rescue departments, emergency communication, international organization such as the Red Cross, industrial settings and medical supply sales.

There is a university training program in Advanced Care Paramedics now available in Québec to allow an increased level of care in the field. In order to become an Advanced Care Paramedic, the candidate will have to have completed a DEC in Paramedic Care or Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (Soins préhospitaliers d’urgence).

In addition to a DEC, 2 years of experience (3,600 clinical hours) are also required by the university. Please note that the university program is offered in French only.

CEGEP Requirements

A Secondary School Diploma which includes:

• Secondary 5 Language of Instruction
• Secondary 5 Second Language
• Secondary 4 Mathematics
• Secondary 4 Science and Technology
  OR Secondary 4 Applied Science and Technology
• Secondary 4 History and Citizenship Education

Program Prerequisites

This program has specific prerequisites.

• Pre-admission physical tests (please see General Information in the How to Apply section below for more details)
• Minimum of a probationary driver’s license by the first day of semester 1 (August).

OR a Secondary School Vocational Diploma which includes:

• Secondary 5 Language of Instruction
• Secondary 5 Second Language
• Secondary 4 Mathematics

Please Note

Applicants who have not studied in Québec must have education deemed equivalent by the College.

John Abbott College is affiliated with the Service régional d’admission du Montréal métropolitain (SRAM) and uses its online application service.

The application deadline is March 1.

Warning: The documents and payment must be submitted by the deadline.

Program start: Fall

To apply:

• Complete the online SRAM application
• Select John Abbott and the program of your choice along with the corresponding SRAM program number: 181.A0
• Upload any necessary documents directly to your online SRAM application

Students whose prerequisites are more than five years old should contact the Admissions Office.

General Information:

Here are links to the admissions-related requirements that are specific to this program:

• General information sheet
• Waiver form for applicants under the age of 18
• Pre-admission Physical Tests (FAQ), by invitation only, after the March 1 application deadline
• FAQ
• MP3 file of Shuttle/Beep Test
• MP3 file of Curl-up Cadence

Program Requirements:

1. Canadian citizen or landed immigrant
2. Have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent studies
3. Possess a minimum probationary driver’s license
4. Pass the physical testing. The testing is by invitation only. Selected applicants will receive an invitation email after the March 1 application deadline. Passing the test does not guarantee admission.
After conditional acceptance:
5. No criminal record and agree to have a “vérification et divulgation d’antécédents judiciaires” done after a conditional acceptance (if 18 years and over) – this will be done through the school for those living on the Island of Montreal
6. Pass a medical examination (through the student’s personal physician)
7. Complete immunization status to comply with the Québec Immunization Protocol for “Health care workers, stagiaires and their teachers.”