Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology Ontario

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Grade 12 English (C, U)
Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C, U)
Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry (C, U)
Grade 11 Math (C, M, U)

Note: A minimum of 70% in C level courses or 60% in U level courses is required.

Successful completion of Northern’s two semester Pre-health program (with a minimum GPA of 2.8) will serve to meet the admission requirements for the Paramedic program.

Or equivalent.

Or mature student status (an applicant who does not have a high school diploma or equivalent, and will have reached the age of 19 years on or before the start of the program). Mature students must undergo academic testing prior to admission into a program. Call the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 for more details.

Note: Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading. Refer to the Postsecondary Preparation section in this calendar for more details.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Must have a valid Class G Driver’s License.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certificate (C.P.R. - HP content).*
• Standard First Aid Certificate (or equivalent).
• Physician’s medical report as per guide supplied by the College.
• Immunization record including Hepatitis B; 2-step Mantoux (with follow-up chest x-ray if the T.B. test is positive). *
• A recent criminal/vulnerable sector reference check – (within 3 months) is required prior to the start of the second semester.
• CPR re-certification, criminal reference checks and immunization updates are required annually. Any costs for these tests/certifications will be the responsibility of the student.
• To be eligible for participation in clinical training, students must not have been convicted of any criminal offence for which that person has not been pardoned (as outlined in the Ambulance Act of Ontario). Note: An unpardoned criminal record will result in inability to participate in clinical placements and field internship courses and will prevent the student from graduating.

Applicant Selection Criteria

Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:

A. Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario.
B. Receipt of Application by February 1st.
C. Achievement in the Required Academic Preparation*

Note: Grade and course requirements are used in the selection process. If applicants are enrolled in Grade 12 required subjects (as indicated above), in the second semester (February to June), Grade 11 marks will be used to assess admission eligibility.

Other Information

Student paramedics will be required to perform heavy lifting in varying conditions throughout the program. To develop and maintain adequate physical fitness, students have free access to the school gym. Practice labs provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate care in simulated medical and trauma emergencies. The labs are interactive and all students are required to participate in all components of the lab sessions. A minimum lift requirement is in place for success in the patient care lab component of the program. Students must be able to lift an 95 kg patient along with all appropriate equipment. Please consult with the program coordinator for details regarding the lift requirement.

Upon completion of this program, graduates must be successful in theoretical examinations set by the Ministry of Health, Emergency Health Services Branch, Ontario in order to be certified as a Paramedic and thus to be eligible to work in an ambulance service in Ontario. The cost for the examination process is the responsibility of the student.

Field Placement

To be assigned a field placement, an essential component of the program, you must have been immunized against Hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, tetanus, diphtheria, and influenza. Students who do not comply with the immunization requirements will not be allowed into the practice settings and as such may not be able to complete the practicum required to graduate from the program. You must possess a valid CPR, Basic Rescuer and Standard First Aid Certificate, and all theoretical and lab course work must be successfully completed prior to field placement.

Employment Eligibility

Applicants should also be aware of the following qualifications for employment (as outlined by the Ambulance Act of Ontario):

a) For a period of one year before the date he/she commences employment, must not have had six or more demerit points on his/her records by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act.
b) For a period of two years immediately prior to the date he/she commences employment, must not have had his/her driver's licence suspended under the Highway Traffic Act.
c) For a period of three years immediately prior to the date he/she commences employment, must not have been prohibited under the Criminal Code of Canada, from driving a motor vehicle in Canada.
d) Must be the holder of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent as set out by the Ministry of Education.
e) Must have a valid Class F Driver’s Licence and be 18 years old.

Additional Costs

Students will be required to purchase their uniforms and crests, which can be ordered through the College, prior to the practicum experience and should budget accordingly for boots, books and supplies (approx. $1500.00).