Is this program right for you?
This program is ideal for practicing paramedics who want a specialized, career-focused position as an ACP.
Become a Healthcare Leader
Learn to think critically, solve problems and function as leaders while providing the highest possible standards of patient care.
Accreditation
This program meets or exceeds the National Occupational Competencies as established by the Paramedic Association of Canada and is accredited by Accreditation Canada.
The ACP program is ideal for paramedics who want to advance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
We prepare our students for licensing. But our goal is to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed for success in clinical practice and ongoing professional growth.
If you are passionate about pursuing a career as an advanced care paramedic and want a program that works hard to provide the best possible work/life balance without compromising the quality of your education, the JIBC ACP program is the program for you.
Program Strengths
This program is accredited by Accreditation Canada and meets or exceeds the National Occupational Competency Profile (NOCP) as established by the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC).
Our graduates continue to exceed the national average in pass rates, standard scores and most individual testing categories in the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators (COPR) entry-to-practice examination. View the report for 2023 here.
Our experienced faculty consists of practicing ACP and CCP paramedics, emergency room physicians, registered nurses and health science educators.
Full-time Lead Instructors ensure consistent content delivery and provide ongoing support throughout the program.
This program is a pathway to a Bachelor of Health Science Degree at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). ACP graduates can transfer 60 credits towards this credential. ACP graduates who have also completed the Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS) can transfer an additional 27 credits.
Program Themes
- Evidence-based practice: learn critical thinking skills to enable you to make effective patient-centered care decisions.
- Inter-professional collaboration: work with other health professionals in the patient’s best interest.
- Leadership: gain the knowledge and confidence to take on a leadership role in paramedicine.
- Life-long learning: continuously seeking and embracing knowledge.
- Community-based emergency health: learn how to respond to differing healthcare environments and handle critical medical situations effectively.
- Science & delivery of EMS: research methodology.
New Program Structure and Schedule
Courses are a blend of instructor-led online theory components, and in-person hands-on labs. We have grouped the online and face-to-face components into blocks. This format helps you maintain school/life balance by reducing the amount of time you spend on campus and increases access if you need to commute.
Program Format
This program is a 20-month full-time program comprised of 70 credits split over three terms. You will complete ten courses and three practice education placements as you progress through the program.
Program Delivery
The classroom component is split into blocks of online and face-to-face study. We use a blended delivery approach of:
- Guided online learning activities
- Facilitated discussions
- Supervised independent study
- Classroom sessions
- Labs
- Practical workshops
- High-fidelity simulations
Each term you will be scheduled for practice education placements at hospitals and on ambulance rotations in major centers around the province. You need to provide open availability (24/7) during this period to allow for the scheduling of these practicum shifts.
All ambulance practice education shifts take place on BCEHS Advanced Life Support units with ACP Preceptors. This provides a valuable opportunity to learn and work within the BCEHS targeted response model.
There may be times when you will need to travel outside the region to practice education shifts. You must be prepared to accept the financial cost of travel and living expenses associated with attendance on these shifts.
Upcoming Intakes
JIBC offers one ACP Program per year starting each fall at the New Westminster campus.
2025 Intake - New Westminster Important Dates
Open for applications | January 20, 2025 |
Application deadline | April 21, 2025 |
Interview and knowledge test | April 28 - May 14, 2025 |
Seat offers sent out | May 20 - 23, 2025 |
Deposit due | May 30, 2025 |
EMA Education Fund Award applications | May 1 - June 30, 2025 |
Final tuition payment due | August 11, 2025 |
Program start date | September 2, 2025 |
Policy and Procedures
JIBC recognizes that some programs require exceptions to JIBC policy. Program-specific requirements are detailed in the ACP and PCP Program Guidelines and Procedures document.
Tuition
Total tuition for the program is approximately $18,000 payable in instalments over three terms.
- Term 1 Tuition - $7,916.82
- Term 2 Tuition - $5,938.89
- Term 3 Tuition - $3,958.37
Additional Fees
- Application fee $75
- Deposit $500.00
- Term 1 Learner Services Fee - $163.20
- Term 2 Learner Services Fee - $121.60
- Term 3 Learner Services Fee - $76.80
- Student Union Fees (each term) - $68.77
- Student Union Extended Health & Dental Plan - $285 (opt out option available - see JISU website for more details)
- Uniform and Textbooks (approx.) - $1,500
Note
Tuition fees are effective April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025. All fees are subject to change without prior notice.
Application fees & program deposit ($500) are non-refundable and non-transferable.
If a student withdraws before the start of an ACP Program term, they receive a 100% refund less deposit of that term's tuition.
If a student withdraws within the first two weeks of an ACP Program term, they will be eligible for 80% refund less deposit of that term's tuition.
Financial Aid & Awards
Candidates for this program may be eligible for JIBC awards and bursaries including the Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA) Education Fund Award. All students are encouraged to apply. For more information, contact Student Services or the Financial Aid & Student Awards Advisor at financialaid@jibc.ca.
Textbooks & Supplies
Textbooks & Uniform
After acceptance into the program, students are given information about purchasing uniforms and textbooks. The cost of textbooks & uniforms is approximately $1,500.
Tablet
Throughout the ACP Program, students will be documenting skills, simulations and patient contacts on electronic Patient Care Records in both the classroom and practice education environments. The program will be evaluating student competency and performance through the use of CompTracker, our competency management system. Students are required to have either an Apple iPad or Android tablet during the program to support the use of this system.
Travel
Practice Education
There may be times when students will need to travel outside their region for practice education shifts. Students must be prepared to accept the financial cost of travel and living expenses associated with attendance at these shifts.
STEP ONE - Apply to the Program
Check the program application deadline date.
Complete and submit the Online Program Application Form using Education Planner BC.
STEP TWO - Submit Supporting Documents
Prepare your ACP Program Document Submission Form and submit this form along with your supporting documents by mail or email to be received by the application deadline.
Email
admissions@jibc.ca
Mail
Admissions Office
Justice Institute of British Columbia
715 McBride Boulevard
New Westminster, BC V3L 5T4
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Advanced Care Paramedic Program is competitive based on the availability of seats, completion of admission criteria, and applicant ranking as determined by a process of selective admission evaluation.
General Requirements
- High school graduation diploma (or equivalent) or mature student as defined in JIBC's Admissions Policy
- Grade 12 English / grade 12 First Peoples English with a minimum grade of C (or equivalent)
ACP Program Specific Requirements
- Completed ACP Applicant Information Form
- PCP Certification and License
- IV Insertion License Endorsement or Training Certificate (IV training is included in the JIBC PCP program. Students who have completed other PCP programs will need to provide documentation.)
- Two years PCP work experience at time of application deadline (record details on ACP Applicant Information Form)
- The Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS) OR the equivalent of the following courses with a minimum grade of C:
- ENGL-1100 Academic Writing
- BIOL-2203 Human Anatomy & Physiology
- HLSC-2214 Pathophysiology
- HLSC-2215 Principles of Pharmacology
- HLSC-2216 Professional Practice: Evidence-based Practice
- CRES-1150 Theoretical Foundations of Dispute Resolution
- STAT-1100 Statistics
- PSYC-1100 Introduction to Psychology
- RESM-2100 Research Methods
- ETHS-1100 Applied Ethics
- HLSC-2299 Capstone Project
Upcoming course dates can be found at www.jibc.ca/emsdiploma under the Program Details tab.
Applicants who have successfully completed equivalent courses may apply for a review of those courses to meet the admission requirements for entry into the ACP Program. Please email your request to acp@jibc.ca and include a copy of your transcript. A useful reference is the BC Transfer Guide.
Students may apply prior to completing all requirements but must include a plan for completing them prior to the start of the program.
POST-ADMISSION Requirements
Upon acceptance to the program you will be required to provide the following:
- Criminal Record Check (CRC) from the Criminal Records Review Program (RCMP check is NOT acceptable). You will be provided with full instructions as well as the required access code.
- Completed Immunization Checklist - The BC Health Authority immunization requirements are different from the BCEHS employee immunization requirements. Click here for Immunization FAQs.
- Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination is required. You will be provided with instructions on how to submit this information.
Selection Process
Candidates who have met admission requirements will be invited to complete two assessment elements:
- Medical Knowledge Test
- Panel Interview
Medical Knowledge Test
This online test will assess a candidate's level of knowledge relative to the Primary Care Paramedic knowledge needed for entering the ACP Program. You will be provided with access to the Candidate Assessment Online Campus which also contains some practice quizzes to help you prepare.
Panel Interview
Some of the job dimensions for an Advanced Care Paramedic include:
- Critical Thinking and Learning Motivation
- Maturity and Self-awareness
- Work Standards and Initiative
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Planning and Organizing Skills, and
- Stress Tolerance
Short-listed candidates will be invited to attend a 20-30 minute interview where we will discuss your application, interest, and suitability for the ACP Program.
Extra consideration will be given to those students for the following:
- Completion of all courses required for admission
- PCP experience/patient contacts
- Volunteer experience within the last 2 years (must be supported by a reference letter from the organization)
Financial Aid & Awards
Candidates for this program may be eligible for JIBC awards and bursaries including the Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA) Education Fund Award. All students are encouraged to apply. For more information, contact Student Services or the Financial Aid & Student Awards Advisor at financialaid@jibc.ca.
International Applicants
This program does not accept international applicants at this time.
Courses in This Program
Advanced Care Paramedic - Term 1
PARA-3315 Professional Practice | PARA-3322 Foundations of Paramedic Practice |
PARA-3351 Classic Cases - Cardiovascular & Respiratory | PARA-3392 Clinical Practice Education 1 |
Click here to view ACP Term 1 Course Outlines
Advanced Care Paramedic - Term 2
PARA-3353A Classic Cases - Trauma | PARA-3413 Health Care in Communities |
PARA-3451A Classic ACP Cases 2 | PARA-3491A Clinical Practice Education 2 |
Click here to view ACP Term 2 Course Outlines
Advanced Care Paramedic - Term 3
PARA-3452A Complex ACP Cases | PARA-3492A Clinical Practice Education 3 |
Click here to view ACP Term 3 Course Outlines