Legislation
As a regulatory college we must ensure that all decisions and actions are guided by the powers prescribed to us under the applicable legislation and regulation. The Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, and Practice Directions assist in the application of the legislation and regulation to day to day paramedic practice. The College By-Laws provide direction for the processes that must be followed for transparent and accountable action.
In 2014, the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) came into force. The RHPA is umbrella legislation for the regulation of health professions that sets out consistent rules and processes for governance, registration, complaints and discipline, and regulation and by-law making authority of health profession regulatory colleges. The RHPA will replace all profession-specific Acts governing regulated health professions over time.
Practice of Paramedicine Regulation
In 2018, a regulation was enacted under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) that designated paramedicine as a regulated health profession for the purpose of the Act. The regulation established the College of Paramedics of Manitoba under the RHPA and set out a scope of practice for the profession.
The Practice of Paramedicine Regulation was enacted on June 1, 2018 to: 1) designate the profession of paramedicine as a regulated health profession; 2) establish the College of Paramedics of Manitoba; and 3) set out the scope of practice of the profession. Please see the Practice of Paramedicine Regulation and the Amendment to the Practice of Paramedicine Regulation.
College of Paramedics of Manitoba General Regulation
The regulation sets out the membership classes of the college and the registration requirements for each class. It also sets out requirements for issuing and renewing certificates of practice, standards of practice for the profession, continuing competency requirements, requirements for professional incorporation by members of the profession and the terms and conditions on the performance of reserved acts authorized for the profession under the Practice of Paramedicine Regulation as well as the requirements respecting delegation of the College of Paramedics of Manitoba General Regulation performance of reserved acts to and by paramedics. Please see the College of Paramedics of Manitoba General Regulation.
Bylaws
The RHPA and the College of Paramedics of Manitoba specify the content that must be provided for in the College Bylaws. The most recent copy of the College Bylaws are found here.
Reserved Acts
The RHPA sets out a new way of regulating who does what in the provision of health services. This is based on the concept of controlling specific health care services or procedures. These health care services or procedures, known as “reserved acts”, are performed in the course of providing health care by competent health care professionals. There are 21 categories of reserved acts, including such activities as ordering screening and diagnostic tests, making a diagnosis and prescribing/dispensing/administering drugs, among others. Part 4 of the General Regulation sets out the limits and conditions on the performance of these acts, including which classes of paramedics may perform the reserved acts and whether additional training is required for the performance of a reserved act. Please read various Practice Directions under the Professional Practice tab of this website, that provide further detail and explanation of the Reserved Acts for Paramedics.
Ministerial Orders
A Ministerial Order has been issued that allows paramedics and EMRs to perform nasopharyngeal swabbing for COVID-19 testing.
Prior to December 1, 2020 paramedics were performing nasopharyngeal swabbing as a Medical Delegation, using a safe work procedure. Under the RHPA and the College of Paramedics of Manitoba general regulation, a Ministerial Order has been issued to allow paramedics to perform the nasopharyngeal swabbing as the nasopharyngeal swabbing is considered a reserved act outside of the reserved acts set out in the regulation. PCP students and EMRs may also perform nasopharyngeal swabbing after completing a micro-credentialing program. The current Ministerial order is found here.