Students Begin New 18-Month Paramedic Course

A new 18-month course to train advanced paramedics begins this week in Halifax.

Ten students are training to become paramedics Level 3, or P3, the highest level of paramedic education. It's the first time such a course has been offered in Nova Scotia.

The School of Emergency Health Services at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax is offering the course. Funded by the Department of Health's Emergency Health Services (EHS) division, the students will spend about 50 per cent of their time outside the classroom either with certified P3s on an ambulance or working in a hospital.

"We already have almost 40 P3s in Nova Scotia," says Dr. Ed Cain, EHS medical director. "Most had to travel to the United States for their training. Now we can provide our own advanced training and certification process."

Paramedics are trained to care for patients outside of a hospital. They recognize life-threatening problems and manage them before and during transport to a hospital. These problems are typically trauma injuries, such as those sustained in a car accident, or specific problems associated with illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or other conditions.

The 10 students are already either P1 or P2 level paramedics.

Paramedics in Nova Scotia can perform certain designated medical acts or procedures under licensing of the EHS medical director. Their level of training determines what kinds of medical acts and procedures they can perform. P1s, for example, can defibrillate a patient to try to restore a heartbeat, as well as administer a small number of drugs. P2s can also start an IV to deliver fluids or medication, administer more drugs, and intubate patients to establish or maintain a clear airway.

A P3 can perform all of these procedures as well as administer a wider range of medication. A P3 will also have more extensive knowledge of advanced life support and other health care areas. The program will eventually train P3s to perform even more complex emergency medical procedures outside of a hospital.

"All paramedics have the skills to save lives and prevent injuries," said Dr. Jim Smith, Minister of Health. "The goal of this program is to develop highly skilled individuals with an even greater depth of knowledge that will enable them to advance the level of care outside the hospital."