Health Sciences (EMS)

The program is designed for individuals new to the health care field as well as working paramedics and paramedics looking to advance to the Advanced Care Paramedic level. Most students complete the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program component of the diploma first. The PCP courses are typically taken full-time over eight months at one of several locations in BC. In the PCP program, emergency medicine skills are mastered through independent study, hands-on practice, and ambulance and hospital placements (see JIBC’s PCP for details and part-time course options).

After PCP program completion, many students become licensed at the PCP level and work as paramedics while finishing the remaining online courses in the diploma. These remaining courses help students expand their career options. Topics addressed range from anatomy and disease pathophysiology to research methods and conflict resolution. These courses are delivered fully online and can be taken part-time or full-time.

Applicants who have already completed a PCP program outside of JIBC can apply for transfer of credit or prior learning assessment towards the PCP portion of the diploma after they are accepted into the program. Applicants who have completed the current PCP training program at JIBC will have their credits transferred automatically.

Registration for some courses in the Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS) program is restricted to admitted diploma program students.

Program Strengths

After completing or receiving credit for PCP level training students can take the remaining diploma courses. These courses are:

• Delivered fully online in a structured weekly format – to keep you on track and motivated
• Facilitated by instructors who are experts in their respective fields – to provide support and answer your questions
• Available for full-time or part-time study – go through the program as fast or slow as you like
• Fully asynchronous and do not require participation in synchronized classroom activities – great for fitting around shift work
• Offered for paramedics who are working in the field – program was designed with this in mind
• Similar to other first and second year post-secondary courses – may apply for transfer at other institutions
• Apply towards the entrance requirements for the JIBC Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) program, EMALB continuing education credits and the Bachelor of Health Science Open Learning degree at Thompson River University (TRU).

Courses in the academic component help students expand their career options. 

• The functioning of the human body as a coordinated, homeostatic, reproducing organism while looking at the major human body systems
• The causes, manifestations, diagnoses, and treatments of anatomical and physiological disorders and diseases
• The key principles of pharmacology, including the characteristics and use of drugs used for various body systems and common medication profiles
• Effective and critical communication comprehension strategies
• Classical and contemporary ethical theories and decision-making frameworks as they apply to personal, community, and professional contexts
• The tools, strengths, and limitations of social science research and methodological approaches and how to analyze data and apply statistical concepts and tools
• Master dispute resolution skills, develop the ability to use these skills and processes contextually and to adapt them as needed to different circumstances
• The fundamental tools for communicating effectively at an academic level
• The strategies and techniques used for evidence-based practice
• How to explore a topic related to current processes, systems, and practices in the field of emergency medicine

What You Need to Graduate

The online portion of the diploma program can be completed in as little as one year (PCP program can be completed in about 8 months) and has a 7-year completion deadline from the semester when a student is accepted into the diploma program. It is recommended that students apply for, be accepted into, and complete the PCP component prior to applying for the diploma program.

Students must complete or receive recognition of prior learning for the following:

• Academic component – 30 credits
• PCP component – 30 credits.

Program Format and Upcoming Courses

The PCP portion of the program is delivered online and in-person at a JIBC campus location. The EMS Diploma courses are offered fully online and scheduled regularly throughout the year following the JIBC semester-based academic calendar.

HLSC-2299 Capstone Project is designed as the final course in the EMS Diploma program. All other courses in the diploma program are prerequisites for HLSC-2299, and need to be completed before a student is able to register for the Capstone Project.

HLSC-2214 Pathophysiology is a course that many students feel requires more study time than other courses in the program. It is strongly recommended that:

• Students complete BIOL-2203 prior to enrolling in HLSC-2214
• Students who are working full time and/or have other commitments consider only taking HLSC-2214 in a semester

CRES-1150 Theoretical Foundations of Dispute Resolution- please register this course by phone and request the program discount.

Please note the schedule provided below is tentative and subject to change without notice.

Application Deadline

Now accepting program application for the 2025 calendar year. All applications and supporting documents must be received by JIBC no later than the application deadline. 

• Winter 2025 semester (starts in January): Application deadline is October 22, 2024
• Spring/Summer 2025 semester (starts in May): Application deadline is February 18, 2025
• Fall 2025 semester (starts in September): Application deadline is June 24, 2025

"Registration for BIOL and HLSC courses in this program is restricted to program students"

Students planning to take these courses should apply to the program as soon as possible.

Program Handbook

Please find attached EMS Diploma Program Handbook. It contains important information pertaining to the program such as: program guidelines, program description, course description, and information on registration, withdrawal, grading, and other important topics relevant to all program students.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email the program area at emsdiploma@jibc.ca. 

Tuition

Total tuition includes the Academic Foundational Component and PCP certification.

• Academic Foundational Component can be completed in a minimum of four semesters at the cost of approximately $6,800*
• Tuition for PCP Certification is listed on the PCP webpage
• Students with PCP certification may be granted transfer credits for the PCP component

Additional Fees

Additional costs include JIBC learner Service Fee (per course), applicable tax, course textbooks, and program application fees.

Note
* Program tuition and fees are approximate and subject to change without prior notice. Costs are effective as of April 1, 2024. 

Textbooks & Supplies

Textbooks

After acceptance into the program, students are given information about purchasing textbooks.

The following textbooks are required for the academic health sciences courses:

HLSC-2215 (Pharmacology)

• Author: Karen Whalen

    Lippincott Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology (8th Edition). ISBN #978-197-517-0554

• Author: Pamela Lynn

    Lippincott’s Photo Atlas of Medication Administration (6th Edition). ISBN #978-197-512-1365 

BIOL-2203 (Anatomy & Physiology)

• Author: OpenStax

   Anatomy and Physiology 2nd Edition- Open source textbook (free).

   Here is the link: Free Anatomy and Physiology 2e Textbook for Download - OpenStax

  HLSC-2214 (Pathophysiology)

• Author: Tommie L Norris 

    Porth's Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States (11th Edition). ISBN# 9781975176846

 HLSC-2216 (Professional Practice: Evidence-based Practice)

• All required resources are included in the online course. No textbook required.

HLSC-2299 (EMS-Diploma Capstone Project)

• All required resources are included in the online course. No textbook required.

Textbooks for PCP component courses are listed on the PCP webpage. Textbook information for the following courses is listed on the Liberal Studies webpage: ENGL-1100, ETHS-1100, STATS-1100, RESM-2100, PSYC-1100. Please contact the Conflict Resolution Program Area to verify the current textbook information for CRES-1150 course (course material may be available online).

The JIBC Store can order, sell and ship textbooks, additional fees may apply. Please contact the store for details.

As the courses in the academic component of the program are fully online, students are required to have access to a computer with a current operating system that is capable of playing audio and video

STEP ONE - Apply to the Program

Applicants who do not have PCP (or higher equivalent) certification, must submit a separate application to JIBC’s PCP program. We recommend securing a seat in the PCP program before submitting the diploma program application. See the PCP page Application Process section for instructions. 

To apply to the Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS) program:

Please check the application deadline(s) listed at the top of this webpage and allow time for submission of official transcript(s) from your former school(s).  

Complete the JIBC Online Program Application Form through Education Planner BC. There is an application fee of $75 dollars.

An Admissions Officer will then email you information on how to submit supporting documents.

STEP TWO - Submit Supporting Documents

Submit your supporting documents to Admissions by email, mail or in person. 

Note  

Students need to arrange for original official academic transcripts to be provided directly from your former school(s) to show your completion of the admissions requirements.

Academic courses in this program may also be taken individually by students who are not in the program (subject to course prerequisite requirements).

Applicants submitting foreign credentials or transcripts as proof of prerequisite completion towards a course or program must first have their credentials or transcripts reviewed by either of the following bodies:

• International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
• World Education Services (WES)

Both ICES and WES will provide applicants with documentation which can then be forwarded to the JIBC as part of a program application.

Admission Requirements

• Current EMR Certification (PCP, ACP and CCP Practitioners must provide proof of completion of the higher level of certification to be exempt from this requirement)
• High school graduation diploma (or equivalent) or mature student status as defined in JIBC’s Admissions Policy
• Grade 11 Mathematics with a minimum grade of C (60%).
  • Foundations 11 or 12
  • Pre-Calculus 11 or 12
  • or Calculus 12
  • (or equivalent)
• Grade 12 English / grade 12 First Peoples English with a minimum grade of C (60%)
  • (or equivalent)
• Life Sciences 11/ Biology 11 (or equivalent) with a minimum grade of C+ (67%) 
  • (or equivalent)

Note

All applicants require Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) or higher-level certification as a program prerequisite. JIBC offers a 15-day EMR program. See the EMR program webpage for costs.

Applicants who do not have PCP (or higher equivalent) certification, must submit a separate application to JIBC’s PCP program. We recommend securing a seat in the PCP program before submitting the diploma program application. Please note PCP program has different application requirement than the EMS-Diploma. See the PCP webpage Application Process section for instructions.

Please allow 4-6 week for the submission of official transcripts from your former school(s) after you have ordered them to be sent to JIBC admissions. Applicants who do not have the application requirements submitted to JIBC prior to the application deadline will need to reapply to a future application period.

Please review the JIBC BC High School Course Admission Equivalencies chart before applying to the program. Courses not listed will likely not apply towards the diploma entrance requirements.

We strongly recommend that students who do not meet the entrance requirements complete the required courses before applying to the program to avoid disappointment. Most high school adult upgrading courses can be completed free of charge.

Distinction between Biology 11 and Biology 12/Anatomy and Physiology 12 or PARA-1100

Biology 12, PARA-1100, and/or JIBC PCP program graduation are not equivalent to Life Sciences 11 nor Biology 11.

Biology 11 is a general life sciences course, where as Biology 12/Anatomy and Physiology 12 or PARA-1100 course covers human anatomy and physiology. It is important that student have a solid understanding of general biology that is part of the Biology 11/Life Sciences 11 curriculum: levels of organization, cell structure and function, sexual and asexual reproduction, energy transformation in cells, viruses, First Peoples understanding of interrelationships between organisms, microevolution (adaptation to changing environments, changes in DNA, and natural selection), macroevolution (speciation processes of evidence for), artificial selection and genetic modification, single-celled and multi-celled organisms, trends in complexity among various life forms, evidence for phylogenetic relationships, taxonomic principles for classifying organisms, binomial nomenclature, First Peoples knowledge on classification.

Students who have not completed Biology 11 with the minimum grade should complete an equivalent course prior to applying for the diploma program.

If an applicant hasn't completed Biology 11/Life Sciences 11, but believes they have an equivalent.

• They should include official transcripts and detailed course outlines for those courses, so the possible equivalency can be evaluated by the Program Manager.

• The equivalency evaluation will be done at the time of official application review. Staff are unable to discuss this type of equivalency in advance. (Note that the same advice applies to applicants who completed Biology 11/Life Sciences 11, but with a passing grade lower than the required C+. They can choose to apply and have the Program Manager evaluate their application as a whole- admission may or may not be granted in such cases).

Please phone or email us for assistance with program admission, program information, or course registration:

• Phone: 604.528.5590 or toll-free in North America 1.877.528.5591
• Program admission: admissions@jibc.ca
• Program information: emsdiploma@jibc.ca
• Course registration: register@jibc.ca

International Applicants

International applicants are encouraged to contact JIBC's Office of International Affairs at international@jibc.ca.

• Students can apply for transfer credit or prior learning assessment only after they have been formally accepted into the program. Please ensure official transcripts and course outlines (where applicable) are included in the Transfer Credit or Prior Learning Assessment application.
• Students may be eligible for transfer credit or prior learning assessment towards the PCP portion of the Diploma of Health Sciences (EMS) if they have completed an accredited (though Accreditation Canada) PCP (or higher level) certification.
• Students may be eligible for transfer credit or prior learning assessment if they have completed academic (liberal studies or health science) courses similar to ours at other post-secondary institutions.
• Applicants who have completed JIBC’s current PCP program will receive full credit for the PCP component of the diploma, and do not need to complete an associated transfer credit request.
• Complete a transfer credit request to apply for credit for equivalent post-secondary academic courses or accredited PCP programs completed at other institutions within the past ten years. The number of transfer credits to be granted for older JIBC PCP programs or programs completed elsewhere will be assessed on a case-by case basis.
• A prior learning assessment request is used to assess learning that is not eligible for transfer credits (over ten years or from a training institution that was not accredited through Accreditation Canada). There is an associated fee for prior learning assessment requests. 
• Please note that JIBC policy requires that at least 50% of program course credits be taken at JIBC. Therefore up to 30 credits from learning outside of JIBC can be transferred towards the 60 credits required for this diploma.
• To avoid disappointment or delayed graduation it is recommended that:
  • Students apply for transfer credit or prior learning assessment as soon as they are accepted into the program
  • Once started in the program courses are completed at JIBC
• The program area cannot pre-approve transfer credits in advance of program application or acceptance. If you have questions about your previous learning contact the program area.

Q: What is the Diploma in Health Science about? 

A: The Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS) combines JIBC’s highly respected Primary Care Paramedic program with practical and relevant academic coursework.

Q: What are the benefits of the program? 

A: The combination of a strong academic foundation with paramedic training positions our graduates at the leading edge of emergency medicine.

Q: Who should take this program?

A: The program is designed for students new to the healthcare field as well as working paramedics.

Q: Do I have to apply for the Primary Care Paramedic Programs to enroll in the DIPLOMA IN HEALTH SCIENCES (EMS) Program?

A: Most students complete the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program component of the diploma first. It is recommended that students apply for and be accepted into the PCP program before applying to the diploma. PCP program courses are prerequisites for some diploma courses. Applicants who have already completed a PCP program can apply for credit towards the qualification.

Q: I would like to complete the ems diploma program to gain the admissions entrances requirements to the jibc-acp program, i am a licensed pcp level paramedic but i completed my pcp training at a non-accredited institution. how do i apply for credit for my previous learning and experience?

A: A student would need to go through a prior learning assessment (PLA) challenge exam process to demonstrate they have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and professional competencies that students learn in the JIBC Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) curriculum. The challenge exam would be similar to the final written and practical exams students complete in the JIBC PCP program. When successfully completed students will be provided non-institutional credit for the PCP portion of the diploma program. The current (as of summer 2020) cost of the PLA process for the 30 credit portion of the PCP program is $120/credit, $3600 total. Please see the next FAQ below for more information on an alternative process.

Q: Is there a process for students for students who attended a non-accredited pcp PROGRAM TO COMPLETE THE ems diploma program courses without going through the prior learning assessment (pla) process for the full pcp program?

A: The ACP program currently (as of fall 2020) accepts non-accredited PCP program completion as part of their program admission entrance requirement. We understand that completing the PLA process for the full 30 credit PCP program may be cost prohibitive for some students and have an alternative process for their consideration.

If a student who has already been accepted into the JIBC EMS Diploma and plans on applying for ACP but does not want to go through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process for a full PCP program completed at a non-accredited training institution they could:

• Apply to complete a PLA written challenge exam for just the PARA-1100 clinical sciences course (PARA-1100 is a 3 credit course at $120/credit, $360 total)
• If the PLA was successful, enroll in individual health science and liberal studies courses in the EMS Diploma
• When all of the individual diploma courses are completed they will receive credit for the academic component of the diploma. With these credits combined with their previous non-accredited PCP training the student will likely meet the EMS-Diploma portion of the ACP admission requirement. The student would not receive JIBC credit for the PCP component of the EMS diploma or be able to complete the EMS Diploma

JIBC is continuing to review the best ways to support students who completed non-accredited PCP programs as they advance their careers by completing the Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS) and Advanced Care Paramedic Diploma.

Q: What is the distinction between biology 11 and biology 12/anatomy and physiology 12 or para-1100?

A: Biology 12, PARA-1100, and/or JIBC PCP program graduation are not equivalent to Life Sciences 11 nor Biology 11.

Biology 11 is a general life sciences course, where as Biology 12/Anatomy and Physiology 12 or PARA-1100 course covers human anatomy and physiology. It is important that student have a solid understanding of general biology that is part of the Biology 11/Life Sciences 11 curriculum: levels of organization, cell structure and function, sexual and asexual reproduction, energy transformation in cells, viruses, First Peoples understanding of interrelationships between organisms, microevolution (adaptation to changing environments, changes in DNA, and natural selection), macroevolution (speciation processes of evidence for), artificial selection and genetic modification, single-celled and multi-celled organisms, trends in complexity among various life forms, evidence for phylogenetic relationships, taxonomic principles for classifying organisms, binomial nomenclature, First Peoples knowledge on classification.

Students who have not completed Biology 11 with the minimum grade should complete an equivalent course prior to applying for the diploma program.

Q: Why study Health Sciences?

A: Emergency medicine professionals are in demand with graduates working as emergency medicine practitioners in industry, as paramedics, supervisors, or instructors. They practice in various settings including hospitals, clinics, community care, and private companies. The diploma-level qualification is also relevant to healthcare administration and business.

Q: What do I have to do to go onto receiving a bachelor’s degree in Health Science?

A: Graduates can continue on a pathway to their bachelor’s degree. Students who complete the PCP program and the Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS) at JIBC can apply 57 credits towards a 120 credit Bachelor of Health Science degree from Thompson Rivers University (TRU). Courses in this TRU degree are delivered online. Students that have completed the above certification and the JIBC Advanced Care Paramedic program are eligible to transfer 87 credits.

Q: What can a degree in health sciences do for me? 

A: A degree in health sciences can open up additional career opportunities such as management and teaching positions in occupational safety, the ambulance service, or post-secondary schools.

Q: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM?

A: Students can complete the academic portion of the program in as little as one year by taking a full-time course load. Most students complete the program in 3-4 years after completing PCP, taking part-time courses while working as paramedics.