Paramedic
Paramedics provide basic and pre-hospital emergency medical care as well as transportation for the sick and injured to hospitals or other medical facilities for further medical care.
An Exciting Field of Work
In general, Paramedics:
- Assess extent of injuries or illness of trauma victims, patients with respiratory disease and distress, overdose and poisoning victims, industrial accident victims and other ill or injured individuals to determine emergency medical treatment
- Administer pre-hospital emergency care, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), oxygen, bandaging and splinting
- Establish and maintain intravenous therapy (IV), apply adjunctive equipment for ventilation and circulation complications, administer medications and provide other advanced emergency treatment to patients
- Transport patients by air, land or water to hospital or other medical facility for further medical care
- Document and record nature of injuries and treatment provided
- Assist hospital personnel with providing additional medical treatment
- Maintain ambulances and emergency care equipment and supplies
- May train and supervise other workers
- May assist with triage of emergency patients
Personal Characteristics / Skills
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Strong leadership abilities
- Sound decision-making skills
- A strong desire to help those in need
- The ability to remain firm, reassuring and efficient in moments of crisis
- The ability to work without supervision and as part of a team
Education and Training
A Canadian Medical Association (CMA) accredited paramedic educational program followed by a supervised practical training period.
Education program offered in New Brunswick
Paramedic educational programs are offered in New Brunswick by the following educational institutions:
Length of Study / Training
1.0 years
Licence and certification
In New Brunswick, registration with the Paramedic Association of New Brunswick is required to work in this field.
Helpful High School Courses
- Math
- Sciences
- First Aid
Employment and Common Working Conditions
Paramedics work in a variety of settings such as:
- Hospitals
- Ambulance Services
- Fire Departments
- Municipal and Provincial Governments
This work is physically demanding. Paramedics are required to lift loads weighing well over 25 kilograms (e.g. patients on stretchers). They must observe safety precautions to avoid injury when working with equipment or exposure to potentially hazardous biological agents.
Paramedics work both indoors and outdoors, often in stressful circumstances. They may work full-time, part-time or as volunteers. Those employed full-time or part-time work eight to twelve-hour shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Employment Prospects - GOOD
With our aging population demand will likely grow.