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A paramedic is a specialized healthcare professional who is primarily trained to respond to emergency calls for medical help outside of a hospital. Paramedics in Manitoba primarily work in ambulances as part of the Emergency Response Service (ERS). Paramedics may also provide medical care outside of an emergency response environment. For example, they may provide:
Paramedics can also function as educators, administrators, and managers. Education program standards and approval are the responsibility of the College of Paramedics of Manitoba. For more information about approved paramedical education programs in Manitoba, and the eligibility requirements for program entry, please see the College website at: https://collegeparamb.ca/professional-practice/education-providers/ and https://collegeparamb.ca/public/becoming-registered/
In Manitoba, there are 5 different practice levels: Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Primary Care Paramedic (PCP), Intermediate Care Paramedic (PCP-IC), Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP), and Critical Care Paramedic (CCP). The scope of practice of each practice level is defined under the College of Paramedics of Manitoba General Regulations and the Reserved Acts. Each practitioner is responsible for ensuring they understand their scope or practice, they are competent in the skills/procedures within that scope, and they comply with the scope of work as determined by their employer. Each practice level must be registered with the College of Paramedics of Manitoba and receive a certificate of Practice (formerly known as a license) to practice in Manitoba. A list of paramedic education programs approved by the College of Paramedics of Manitoba can be found here.
This is the basic level for registrants providing patient care in Manitoba. EMR’s perform patient assessments, vital signs, trauma injury management, and basic care for medical issues. In Manitoba, EMR’s also have the responsibility of assisting patients with some symptom relief medications they may have been prescribed, as well as administering medications the patient assessment indicates would benefit the patient in an acute/urgent situation (example Ventolin for difficulty breathing). Education Programs for EMR are 312 hours in length with a small portion being in a clinic applying skills in a precepted environment) but no practicum (applying skills in a precepted environment on an ambulance) requirements. Practitioners may work with a Medical First Response service, in an Industrial setting, providing emergency services dispatch, low acuity patient transport service, or a ground emergency response service.
This is the primary level for registrants providing patient care in Manitoba. In addition to the basic assessment and patient management skills of an EMR, PCP’s also provide symptom relief with a variety of medications and procedures, initiate Intravenous cannulation, and manage airways at the intermediate level.
Education Programs for PCP range from 11 months to two years months in length with significant clinical and practicum requirements. Practitioners may work with a ground emergency response service, providing emergency services dispatch, Community and Outreach settings, assisting medical or nursing practitioners in a clinical setting, Industrial settings, aeromedical transport services and self-employed practice.
In addition to PCP skills, PCP-IC’s have enhanced medication administration responsibilities, and with additional training can perform more advanced procedures (cardiac arrest resuscitation, advanced cardiac procedures) in the emergency response environment. PCP-IC’s have received training in addition to successfully completing a PCP Program. Practitioners may work with a ground emergency response service, providing emergency services dispatch, Community and Outreach settings, assisting medical or nursing practitioners in a clinical setting, Industrial settings, and aeromedical transport services. The PCP-IC practice level was created at a time when Advanced Care Paramedic education access was limited in Manitoba, and more advanced patient care was required. Currently only practitioners who have completed the first year of the accredited Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Advanced Care Paramedic program can be granted the Intermediate Care designation. This is a temporary notation as the requirement is that the paramedic complete the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Advanced Care Paramedic program.
In addition to PCP skills, ACP’s have extensive additional education and have advanced medication and procedural responsibilities. ACP programs are 2-3 years in length blending didactic and extensive practical application of knowledge, and practitioners must have a minimum of two years’ experience as a PCP to enroll. Practitioners may work with an Emergency Response Service (Ambulance), dispatch, Community and Outreach settings, assisting medical or nursing practitioners in a clinical setting, Industrial settings, and aeromedical transport services and self-employed practice.
In addition to ACP skills, CCP’s have extensive additional education which allows them to perform very advanced skills. This is the highest level of responsibility for patient care currently working in Manitoba. At this time in Manitoba, CCP practitioners work in aeromedical transport services, but wider clinical and field applications are possible.
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