How to become a Paramedic as immigrant ?

[The_Bull]

Hey Guys, I´ve a difficult question. I want to immigrate to Canada in a few years and my dream is it, to work there as a Paramedic, so as now in Germany, too. But I know that the German Paramedic, called Rettungsasisstent, is not recognized in Canada, at least not fully. Knows anyone a possibility, how I can become a Paramedic ? Can I study it somewhere or make a halftime apprenticeship ? Means that I work somewhere and visit a school.

I already searched for that Topic in the www, but didn´t find anything helpful to this.

I´m gratefully for every help !

[northernmedic]

Most provincial licensing boards have a substantive review if you are not trained in Canada so it is possible to get licensed, just takes longer. In addition you will need to be legally entitled to work in Canada (not that easy) and generally have a provincial class 4 drivers license or equivalent as well as CPR/ACLS certification and possibly others depending on the service you are applying to.

[The_Bull]

That sounds not really easy. Do you know how long it takes, till our Paramedic will be licensed in CA ?

[WolfmanHarris]

It depends entirely on the province. Where were you hoping to move? Job prospects also vary greatly across the country. Are you able to post a breakdown of what's involved in EMS education in Germany; I know it is a Physician centered model at the ALS levels, but I'm not familiar with what is involved in your medic education. Might be able to direct you a bit more with that info.

[northernmedic]

No idea how long it will take. No offense but I don't think developing Canadian - German reciprocity is high up on the priority list, we have enough pressing issues as it is. I would get the process started. Realistically your biggest challenge will be getting legally entitled to work here.

[The_Bull]

It depends entirely on the province. Where were you hoping to move? Job prospects also vary greatly across the country. Are you able to post a breakdown of what's involved in EMS education in Germany; I know it is a Physician centered model at the ALS levels, but I'm not familiar with what is involved in your medic education. Might be able to direct you a bit more with that info.


I´m thinking about Alberta or Ontario. Till now I know it only from Pictures, but I´m planning for my next vacation a round-trip in CA.

I´ve found something to the training on wikipedia, I´ll copy it for you ...

The paramedic training consist of two major parts, vocational college and EMS internship. These are almost evenly divided into two one-year terms. In the first year, the student will learn the theoretical basics of this profession, including invasive procedures. Incorporated are several weeks of in-hospital internships, typically in emergency departments, operating rooms and trauma units. The theoretical training is divided into several major parts:

basic anatomy
body functions
internal medicine
neurology
gynaecology
urology
paediatrics
disease patterns of the above
traumatological injuries
pharmacology
law, rights and dutiesFurthermore, the student will be taught skills in treating patients. This includes:

basic diagnostic skills (blood pressure, heartrate, glucose level, oxygen saturation)
advanced diagnostic skills (using and interpreting ECG, auscultation, neurological examination)
intravenous, subcutaneous and intramuscular application of medication
treatment of internal diseases like myocardial infarction, pulmonary edema, hypertension
treatment of traumatic injuries like fractures, amputations, cuts and bruises
endotracheal intubation and ventilationThe first year ends with a board examination which covers all the knowledge a paramedic must have. In the second year, students have to do a minimum 1600 hour internship in the EMS to further their skills. Usually, they start as a third person on a transport ambulance in order to observe and learn from the trained professionals. Sometimes, paramedic-students who also have the qualification of Rettungssanitäter are used as second on a two-person team. However, at all times the student will be under supervision by a Lehrrettungsassistent. After completing their year of internship, there will be a closing meeting after which, should the student be deemed fit, he or she will be awarded the title of Rettungsassistent. The award is issued by the Ministry of Health.
The training can be shortened under specific circumstances. Students who hold the title of Rettungssanitäter are allowed in most states to shorten their theoretical training and, if they have already worked in EMS for some time, only need to do a shortened internship, depending on the state they do the training. In Sachsen-Anhalt, the internship usually consists of only 480 hours.

If you want to read the full article, click HERE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramedics_in_Germany)

The german Paramedic is similar the EMT-P

[WolfmanHarris]

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/ehs/edu/equiv.html

This should answer most of your questions r.e. equivalency in Ontario. Keep in mind that to my understanding the Ministry of Health does not grant Advanced Care Paramedic equivalency to foreign applicants, or at least hasn't in a very long time.

[The_Bull]

Thanks for your help. Very interesting link. I will write something, if I´ve some news.

[CoryT]

I am just in the final stages of out-of-province equivalency with the alberta college of paramedics. Be prepared to give them a small mountain of paperwork, anything your school has on file you will need to send them. And be prepared to wait, i was originally told 3 weeks, I'm going on 3 months now...lol The process is actually fairly straightforward though, no real hickups. If they decide that you dont have some part of the training thats required, they will award you a lower level until you complete deficiency training in specific areas. Let me know if you have any other questions

[itsnotahobby]

You could do it like the rest of the paramedics or even cops for that matter in Canada, just fail the firefighters test then your a shoe in! :)

[firederek]

Bull,

my former girlfriend was from Germany, she is a paramedic there, too. (I am not sure, but I guess her qualification there is retungassistant). When we still were together some time ago she tried to come over and work here in the EMS, but she was refused registration in BC and AB. I dont know how much have changed since then, but even if you are able to obtain a license the next big problem would be to get a work visa. And this should be the first step in your immigration, because you will find no employment without legally entitlement to work here. Your possible canadian employer has to apply for a labour market confirmation to be allowed to hire you. And so far there are a lot of (at least here in BC) graduated paramedics and part timers who are waiting to get a full time job since years. So there will be no need to hire people from outside canada.
Do you have any other occupational training than your paramedical? Even if our economy is low and unemployment rate is rising, truckdrivers, construction workers, e.g. are still supported by the provincial nominee program, an easy access to work visas. So you could try to get one of those jobs first to immigrate, take a part time PCP course next to your job and may be you find a paramedic position some day.