Overview
The first intake of this program will begin in September 2026.
Step into the fast-paced world of emergency medical services with training designed to meet the demands of paramedicine.
This intensive two-year diploma program combines classroom learning, simulated labs, and field placements to build your knowledge in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and emergency response techniques.
You’ll also develop personal wellness and fitness strategies to meet the physical demands of the profession. In health labs, you’ll get hands-on practice applying safe strategies to assess and treat patients in both medical and trauma situations.
Gain practical experience through placements in hospitals, community health settings, and supervised ambulance shifts to apply your learning in real emergency scenarios. In your final semester, you’ll complete a full field consolidation, working alongside certified paramedics in active EMS settings.
Once you graduate, you’ll be prepared to provide lifesaving care in critical situations and must successfully complete the Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant (A-EMCA) exam to become a certified paramedic in Ontario.
Make a difference in your community with a rewarding career on the front line of health care.
This program is not open to international students at this time.
Ontario Learn and Stay Grant
Students starting Bachelor of Science - Nursing (Honours) (BScN), Practical Nursing (PN), or Paramedic at Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ in September 2026 will be eligible to apply for the grant which provides full, upfront funding for tuition, books, and other direct educational costs.
The grant will support postsecondary students enrolled in targeted priority programs in underserved communities, including BScN, PN, and Paramedic at Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ, by providing funding in exchange for committing to serve in the north region after graduation. It is a key component of Ontario’s A Plan to Stay Open, announced in March 2022, which includes a number of measures to recruit more people to commit to working within the province’s health system.
Click here to learn more about the grant >
Courses
Requirements & Program Information
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status with a minimum final
grade of 60% in each of the following courses:
- Grade 12 English (C or U level)
- Grade 11 or 12 Math (C, U or M level)
- Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry (C or U level)
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U level).
Or, a 2.8 GPA or higher in a recognized Ontario College Pre-Health Program.
Additional admission requirements
- Driver`s Licence
- A minimum of a G2 Ontario driver`s licence is required for admission to the Paramedic program and a full Class ‘G’ is required prior to the start of Semester 1
- Must obtain a valid Ontario Class `F` driver`s licence prior to the start of Semester 4
Have you been educated outside of Canada and/or have your studies been completed in a language other than English? Please follow this link for additional admission requirements and considerations Admission Requirements for students educated outside of Canada.
Educational Paths
Students may enter the Paramedic program from Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ`s pre-health program.
Students that have completed the Paramedic program may choose to pursue a Bachelor degree in Paramedicine at another institution or may enter into the Practical Nursing or BScN program at Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ.
Clinical/Lab and Field Placement Requirements
Standard First Aid Certificate - due Day 1
- Required upon entry to program
- Must be obtained in Ontario through an in-person Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) - recognized training agency; online courses are not accepted
- Must be current within 3 years
CPR Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate - due Day 1
- Required upon entry to program
- Must be Basic Life Support (BLS) level delivered in-person; online courses are not accepted
- Must be obtained in Ontario through an in-person Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) - recognized training agency; online courses are not accepted
- Must be current within 1 year and renewed every 12 months as per Ontario Regulation 257/00 of the Ambulance Act
Police Vulnerable Sector Check - due date dependent on placement start date and placement agency
- POLICE VULNERABLE SECTOR CHECK (VSC) with negative results or equivalent (annually), to satisfy the requirements of Ontario Regulation 257/00 of the Ambulance Act
- Required prior to first class and must be current within 3 months
- Updated annually by start of academic year
- This will require a letter from the Program Support Assistant, please email requesting one to: jennifer.williamson@saultcollege.ca.;
- If a Criminal Record is confirmed, contact jennifer.williamson@saultcollege.ca
N95 Mask Fit - due Day 1
- Must be obtained in Ontario
- No facial hair, must be clean shaven
- No smoking/gum chewing/eating or drinking, at least 30 minutes prior to the fitting
- Must be current within 2 years
Naloxone Training - due Day 1
- Required upon entry to program
- Register for tracked version with certificate, , or .
WHMIS Certificate - due Day 1
- Required upon entry to program
- Must be current within 1 year
- Can be obtained online through LMS from Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ (FREE) once the term begins, or access to LMS is permitted
Immunization
As set out in Ontario Regulation 257/00 of the Ambulance Act, be immunized against diseases listed in the Ambulance Service Communicable Disease Standards, published by the Ontario Ministry of Health,
including:
- The Health Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Immunization form will be available on LMS, and in the student welcome email. This form is to be filled out by the student, and Physician/NP, and submitted with the following:
- 2 Step TB Skin Test or TB blood test, OR clear Chest X-ray on entrance to program
- Hepatitis B series
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) Series
- Varicella or MMRV or documented blood test/titre
- Tdap within 10 years (includes Polio, Pertussis, Tetanus/diphtheria)
- The above-required immunizations are consistent with the Communicable Disease Surveillance Protocol Guide, published jointly by the Ontario Hospital Association and Ontario Medical Association, as required by Regulation 965 of the Public Hospitals Act. This requirement applies to all health care workers, including students, carrying on activities in a hospital
- Influenza - October / November annually
-
COVID-19 vaccination - minimum 1 dose.
The Covid-19 pandemic remains a global concern. We encourage you to speak to your healthcare provider regarding the decision to be vaccinated. Please note clinical placement agencies may require evidence of vaccination prior to the entry to placement. Further, they may refuse a student entry who has not been vaccinated against Covid-19.
Career Path
Workers in paramedical occupations administer pre-hospital emergency medical care to patients with
injuries or medical illnesses and transport them to hospitals or other medical facilities for further medical
care. They are employed by private ambulance services, hospitals, fire departments, government
departments and agencies, manufacturing firms, mining companies and other private sector
establishments. Paramedics who are supervisors are included in this unit group.
Medical requirement
Contact
Program College Contact: Rebecca Keown, rebecca.keown@saultcollege.ca