Primary Care Paramedicine (PCP)

Program Changes

To provide better out-of-hospital care for patients by expanding the range of services paramedics and first responders can provide, the BC Government has mandated changes to the paramedic scope of practice - Ministerial Order 292/2022 (gov.bc.ca). To incorporate the required additional content, the PCP program has been extended to 12 months starting January 6, 2025. Tuition fees have been updated accordingly. 

See Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) tab below.

Program Format 

The extended PCP certificate program will complete within 12 months and will be offered in a blended format with online, in person, and practice education components.

Program Location and Date 

The program will be offered on a full-time basis in New Westminster, Victoria, Chilliwack, and Kelowna. 

Click here for JIBC campus locations.

January 2025 Intake - Important Dates

The program is suitable for people with a high level of physical and emotional fitness along with strong verbal communication skills and who are interested in providing on-site medical services during traumatic events.

Program Strengths 

The JIBC PCP program is the ONLY PCP program in BC accredited by Accreditation Canada.  The Program exceeds the National Occupational Competency Profile (NOCP) for primary care paramedics developed by the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC).

Program graduates continue to exceed the national average in pass rates, standard scores and individual testing categories in the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators (COPR) entry to practice examination.  View the report for 2023 here.

Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure in British Columbia through the Emergency Medical Assistant Licensing Branch (EMALB).

The program's hand on learning approach means graduates are prepared to step straight into employment opportunities as paramedics, in an expanding range of paramedical environments, in this in-demand field.

Students benefit from the skill sets and hand-on experience of faculty current in their field such as practicing paramedics, registered nurses, emergency room attendants and heath science educators.

Sometimes referred to as laddering, the 30 post-secondary credits earned completing the PCP certificate can be applied towards JIBC's 60 credit Diploma in Health Sciences - Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

The PCP program provides the education and training required to practice as a primary care paramedic.

The program focuses on the skills required to assess and manage patients in a pre-hospital care environment. It delivers a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology to strengthen the decision making and treatment actions required to care for critically ill or injured individuals in a pre-hospital setting.

Tuition

Domestic Tuition: approximately $8,600 payable in instalments over three terms:

Term 1 Tuition - $2,866.67

Term 2 Tuition - $3,762.50

Term 3 Tuition - $1,970.83

International Tuition: approximately $25,800 payable in instalments over three terms:

Term 1 Tuition - $8,600.00

Term 2 Tuition - $11,287.50

Term 3 Tuition - $5,912.50

Additional Fees

• Domestic application fee $75
• International application fee $150
• Learner services fee (LSF) payable per term: 
  • Term 1 - $ 96.00
  • Term 2 - $115.20
  • Term 3 - $ 70.40
• Driving regulations course $89.78 domestic ($262.94 International)
• Student union fee $68.77 per term
• Student union health & dental $285 (opt out option available - see JISU website for more details)
• Textbooks $550-$750
• Uniform and equipment (approximately) $750
• Immunizations - variable
• Criminal record check $28

Note:

Tuition fees are effective to March 31, 2025. All fees are subject to change without notice.

Application fees and program deposit ($500 - Domestic or $5,000 - International) are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Payment Terms

A deposit must be paid within five working days of acceptance into the program. This deposit will be credited towards your tuition fees. 

Financial Aid and Awards

Candidates for this program are eligible to apply for JIBC awards and bursaries such as the EMA education fund Award and others.

For more information, contact Student Services.

Textbooks & Supplies

Please note: JIBC Store recommends that you place your textbook/ebook and uniform order one month prior to online and in person class start dates to ensure that your order may be fulfilled and shipped to you in time for the beginning of your program.   Orders can be submitted by fax, email or in-person to the JIBC store. The cost of textbooks and uniforms is the responsibility of each student.

Textbooks

Textbook Order Form Nov 2024

Uniforms

Uniform Order Form Nov 2024

Tablet

Throughout the PCP program, you 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. The required textbook will also have components which will be accessed online.  Additionally, classroom online exams use Respondus LockDown Browser to maintain the integrity of exams.

Students are required to have either a laptop or tablet during the program to support the use of these systems.  Please note: For the best experience utilizing these online systems including our E-book textbook it is recommended that if you are using a tablet, that you use an Apple iPad and that Chromebooks are not supported. Please ensure your device meets the operating system requirements noted below.

Operating System Requirements are:

• Windows: 11 and 10.
• Mac: MacOS 10.12 or higher.
• iOS:11.0+ (iPad only). Must have a compatible LMS integration. Check Browser here.

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

All applications and supporting documents must be received by the deadline. 

• Complete and submit the Online Program Application Form using Education Planner BC.

  NOTE: Do not apply to more than 1 campus per Program Application period. 

STEP TWO - Submit Admission Requirements

• Proof of high school graduation or meet JIBC definition of a mature student AND a minimum grade of a C in English 12 or equivalent (Official Transcript required).
• Proof of completion of JIBC Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Certificate (PARA-1050 or PARA-1051) within last 3 years. Basic Life Support (BLS) is included in this course.

Information for Returning Students

• If you are a student seeking to complete the program after any absence you will need to re-apply to the program and meet all admission requirement including the candidate selection process in place at that time. Contact pcp@jibc.ca for more information.

Acceptable equivalent courses: 

• Valid EMR License plus Basic Life Support (BLS)  
• Current OFA Level 3 and/or newly named Advanced First Aid plus Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Non-JIBC EMR Certification plus Basic Life Support (BLS) 
• Requests for equivalency will be reviewed at the time of application. Equivalent must include Basic Life Support (BLS)

Beneficial Supporting Documents

Applicants who submit these documents will receive bonus points in the selection process.

• Transcript showing Grade 12 science course (biology, anatomy & physiology, chemistry or physics) min grade C
• Letter from organization verifying volunteer experience (minimum of 3 months service)

Documents can be submitted by mail or email and must be received by the application deadline.

STEP THREE - Selection Process

Candidates who meet admission requirements will be required to participate in an online EMR Level Medical Knowledge Test. Candidates will be ranked based on the results of this test combined with any supporting documents that have been received through the admissions process. Only completed applications will be considered. 

EMR Level Medical Knowledge Test (online)

This online test will assess your level of knowledge relative to the medical science knowledge needed for entering the PCP program. This test will be administered online over a set 3 day period for each intake.  Exam dates can be found with the application deadline information.  You will be provided with access to the Candidate Assessment Online Campus just prior to the exam dates.

Admission to the Primary Care Paramedic program is contingent on the availability of seats, completion of all admission criteria, submission of supporting documentation and applicant ranking as determined by a selection process.

STEP FOUR - Post-admission Requirements 

Once accepted to the program you will be required to submit the following requirements by the program start date:

• 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 Form with required Hep B serology report confirming immunity. Click here for Immunization FAQ.

You will also need to submit a TB Skin Test during the program. You will be provided with details on when to have this completed to ensure your results are valid at the time of your first practice education placement.  Tests completed outside of the dates provided to you may not be valid.

Q: What program changes are coming in response to the changes in Paramedic Scope of Practice?

Intake dates

A: The first intake will be January 6, 2025. Future intake dates will be posted on this webpage.

Tuition

A: Tuition has been set at $8,600 for domestic students. Other fees apply - see the Tuition and Fees tab above.

Timeline for program completion

A: The PCP program will complete within 12 months and will be offered in a blended format with online, in person, and practice education components.

Prerequisites

A: The prerequisites for entry into the revised program will be unchanged. Students are required to be certified to the EMR level and provide proof of high school graduation or meet JIBC definition of a mature student AND a minimum grade of a C in English 12 or equivalent (official transcript required). See the How to Apply tab for full details.

Student Funding

A: Financial support will be available for students through the normal application process. Please visit our Financial Aid & Awards page to learn more about the options that are available to you.

Updates for current students and recent graduates

A: Details on the bridging options related to the updated content will be made available to current students as well as recent graduates as soon as it is ready to be delivered.

EMALB License changes

A: Once students have completed the updated Primary Care Paramedic program, they will be trained to the provincial scope of practice at the PCP level. Once students have completed the provincial examination process, they will considered ready to enter practice. Details on the licensing process can be found on the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board website.

Q: Where can I take the program?

A: The program will be offered on a full-time basis at JIBC's New Westminster, Victoria, Chilliwack, and Kelowna campuses.

Q: What is the physical fitness requirement?

A: Applicants should self-assess and monitor their physical ability for the program, however, no documentation is required. Throughout the program, you will be performing the tasks of a paramedic during classroom simulations and while on practice education shifts.

A high number of job-related injuries occur when lifting patients. Physical fitness is critical in maintaining the wellness of paramedics and is incorporated into the philosophy of the PCP program and the paramedic profession.

A paramedic also requires a high level of emotional fitness to deal with the psychological stress associated with pre-hospital care work.

Q: Do I need a Class 4 Driver's License?

A: Although it is not a requirement of the program, students who wish to apply for employment with BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) are encouraged to obtain their Class 4 Driver's License as soon as possible.

Q: Do I need to wear a uniform during classroom time?

A: Yes. Paramedic students are required to wear uniforms during all program activities and are expected to be in uniform on the first day of class. Uniforms are available at the JIBC Store.

Q: Where will my Practice Education Placements take place?

A: The program includes approximately 200 hours of ambulance and hospital placements. This must be completed within 90 days after the classroom portion of the program. Wherever possible, practice education shifts will be scheduled in the same training region as the classroom portion of the program. However, students can expect to travel to other areas where shifts are available.

Students must be prepared to accept the financial cost of travel and living expenses associated with their required attendance at the placement sessions. Ambulance stations and hospitals may not be located on routes that are accessible by public transportation. Students are responsible for making the appropriate arrangements to ensure their ability to attend placement sessions at the assigned sites.

Q: What evaluations are there?

A: You will receive ongoing feedback from instructors as you engage in and practise the program's curriculum. You will complete a set of formal evaluations including written assignments, written exams, skill stations, simulations, projects, and presentations. You must also successfully complete hospital and ambulance placement evaluations. You must successfully pass each course to continue in the program.

Q: What are the computer requirements?

A: Students are required to complete online work and assignments as well as a web-based competency tracking program. All students must have access to a computer with internet capability. All students must also have access to a tablet or laptop in order to be able to complete portions of their face-to-face learning as well as practice education. For the best experience utilizing these online systems including our E-Book textbook it is recommended that if you are using a tablet, that you use an Apple iPad product, and that Chromebooks are not supported. 

Q: How do I get my license to practice?

A: Each province has its own licensing regulations and fees. Students are encouraged to review requirements for the province in which they wish to practice. In BC, you must successfully complete a formal evaluation conducted by the Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA) Licensing Board within one year of program completion. Click here to visit their website for full details and fees.

Q: Am I covered by WorkSafeBC during the program?

A: JIBC provides WorkSafeBC coverage to students while participating in the hospital and ambulance placement. This coverage does not extend to any other components of the program.

Q: What student learning support do you have?

A: Whether you need guidance with study skills and test-taking, or if you identify as a student with a disability, the Manager of Student Learning Supports and Disability Resources is happy to meet with you to provide information and resources in their office at JIBC's New Westminster campus. There are also many online resources available through our Student Support and Library web pages. For more information please visit our web page at Student Support. 

Q: Do you accept international students into the PCP program?

A: Congratulations on choosing to study in British Columbia, Canada. International applicants are encouraged to visit the International Studies page or contact JIBC Office of International Studies if you have any questions.