Ontario College Diploma in Paramedic
Start Dates:
September 2021
Paramedics have a career that offers the opportunity to serve people in need, frequent challenges, and excitement. These professionals provide pre-hospital emergency care to people in the community experiencing injury or illness.
Important program information for the 2020/2021 academic year
The chart below indicates the status of delivery for this program in upcoming academic terms. Please note that program delivery is subject to change based on government and public health requirements and the college's admissions policies.
Program Highlights
Paramedics respond to medical, traumatic and a whole variety of other types of calls. Other aspects of the job include interfacility transfers, ongoing continuing medical education and base duties. Paramedics are typically dynamic, fun-loving individuals who love challenges and change.
Fleming's two-year Paramedic diploma program will prepare you for the challenges and rewards of this exciting career. You will be trained in all aspects of pre-hospital emergency care, including the knowledge and skills to deal effectively with medical emergencies and traumas, and the ability to communicate effectively with patients, other emergency responders and other members of the medical community. Your training will be delivered in classroom, laboratory, clinical, and field practice settings, so that you will acquire the optimum combination of theory and practical skills. This program has been created with the assistance and advice of paramedic professionals and associations, and as such, will provide you with the essentials you need to provide health care in the midst of a crisis.
Why Choose Fleming
Fleming College has a strong reputation for providing excellent training in health care. Fleming's program focuses on two goals: graduates passing the provincial Advanced Emergency medical Care (AEMCA) exam, plus getting you comfortable and competent in your new skill set. We have many part-time, active paramedics as faculty who will guide and assist you to these goals. Our equipment is top of the line and helps in the simulation of real life scenarios.
Work Experience
During the second year you will have the opportunity to experience the real-life world of the paramedic - 420 hours of consolidation/preceptorship, working in the field with paramedics. There will also be 30 hours of ambulance operations and hands-on driving during the first semester to provide you with experience handling a large vehicle. Clinical placements aid in allowing patient exposure in a controlled environment with an instructor.
Is this You?
In order to succeed in this program, and in your eventual career as a paramedic, you will need the following skills, abilities, and personality traits:
- enjoy working with and helping people
- excellent crisis management skills
- excellent communication skills
- strong leadership ability
- ability to multi-task
- compassion, empathy, integrity, honesty
- excellent time management/prioritization skills
- willingness/ability to work as part of a team
- excellent physical health, strength and stamina
- well-developed stress management skills
- excellent problem-solving ability
Students would benefit by having basic computer skills including e-mail, word processing, file management and internet web browsing. Prospective students should be aware that the pass rate for Fleming's Paramedic program, as for most Paramedic programs, is 70% in core courses, which reflects and prepares students for the minimum pass rate required for the provincial AEMCA exam.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of this program, you will be qualified as a primary care paramedic and will be eligible to write the provincial examination. Upon successful completion, you will be certified by the province as an Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant - AEMCA. Once you complete the program and the provincial paramedic exams, you will be eligible to work as a primary care paramedic in ambulance services throughout Ontario. Once working as a primary care paramedic, you can then upgrade your skills to work as an advanced care or critical care paramedic. You may also find employment in health and safety, or rescue services. This diploma is also an asset to anyone seeking employment as a firefighter or police officer. This is especially relevant in situations where paramedic/emergency medical care might not be available, such as in remote areas.
Students are advised to try to obtain their class F licence as soon as possible as an F licence is required for job applications in early fourth semester.
Students should also be advised that eligibility for employment is subject to the requirements of the Ambulance Act, which includes a valid Ontario class F licence, a criminal reference check, and physical fitness, as lifting is a major component of the job.
Related Programs
If you don't possess the required science courses for admission to this program, or if you want to enhance your likelihood for entry, consider the one-year Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas program. Fleming College has reserved space in the Paramedic program for students who successfully complete one year of study in this program.
Fleming College has reserved 2 spaces in the Paramedic program for Pre-Service Firefighter students interested in exploring paramedicine as a professional designation. See the Pre-Service Firefighter program for eligibility and details.
If you are not yet decided on a college program, and are interested in similar health care and helping professions, programs such as the Trent/Fleming - Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Practical Nursing, or Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant may appeal to you.
Additional Costs
Plan on $1,500 per year for books, supplies and materials.
Physical Requirements
- Physical requirements include being able to lift, with a partner, a patient weighing 210 lbs in a variety of ways.
- Lifts include on a backboard from the ground, in a chair up and down two flights of stairs and on the stretcher in and out of the ambulance.
- These are very difficult lifts requiring strength, stamina and coordination. A good way to test your current abilities is to try lifting alone, 80 -100 lbs from the floor (using your legs and keeping your back straight) and then going up and down 2 flights of stairs frontwards and backwards (105 lbs alone simulates 210 lbs with two people).
- There is no lift testing for admission into the program, but you must meet the 210 lbs standard by the end of the first year.
Health and Non Academic Requirements
Immunization Requirements
Your program has mandatory immunization requirements that include a "pre-entry" deadline date for submission. For more information, and to print a copy of the immunization form, please download the Immunization Information document.
Non Academic Requirements
Your program has mandatory requirements which may include a criminal reference check, first aid, BLS-HCP for CPR, etc. For more information, please see the Non Academic Requirements page.
Failure to provide any of the required Non Academic Field Requirements by the specified due date will result in an inability to participate in the mandatory placement components of the program.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Students applying to Paramedic must meet the following requirements:
- OSSD including Gr 12 (C) English, Gr 11 (C) Math, Gr 11 (U) or Gr 12 (C) Chemistry, and Gr 11 (C) Biology*.
Minimum final grade of 65% in each required course.
OSSD with majority of courses at College (C ) or Open (O) unless otherwise stated.
Grade 12 C courses will be accepted where Gr 11 C course requirements are listed.
Where College level courses are listed, U and M courses will be accepted.
Other program requirements:
- you must possess a G class licence as you will be driving a vehicle early in first semester
Important Notice
New admission requirements effective September 2020.
Students applying to Paramedic must meet the following requirements:
- OSSD including Gr 12 (C) English, Gr 11 (C) Math, Gr 11 (U) or Gr 12 (C) Chemistry, and Gr 11 (C) Biology*.
Minimum final grade of 65% in each required course.
Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission. Additional testing or academic upgrading may be necessary to meet specific course requirements for this program.
Tuition Detail
Tuition and ancillary fees are subject to change without notice. The fees presented below reflect Fall start programs only for the current academic year. For details about the fee differences for other program start dates please refer to the Tuition Details chart below.
View complete tuition details
Domestic Students
| Semester 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| *Alumni Fee | $14.90 |
| *Student Administrative Council Governance | $8.00 |
| *Student Administrative Council Provincial Advocacy | $5.00 |
| *Student Food Bank | $1.25 |
| Academic Supports | $33.44 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $7.38 |
| Career Services | $13.70 |
| Health Plan | $280.00 |
| Health and Counselling | $49.89 |
| Information Technology Fee | $101.81 |
| Mask Fit Testing | $50.00 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $11.78 |
| Student Building Fee | $48.00 |
| Student Building Fund | $42.00 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $2,776.66 |
| Total | $3,453.81 |
| Semester 2 | Amount |
|---|---|
| *Alumni Fee | $14.90 |
| *Student Administrative Council Clubs | $2.80 |
| *Student Administrative Council Governance | $8.00 |
| *Student Administrative Council Provincial Advocacy | $5.00 |
| *Student Food Bank | $1.25 |
| Academic Supports | $33.44 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $14.75 |
| Career Services | $13.70 |
| Health and Counselling | $49.89 |
| Information Technology Fee | $101.81 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $11.78 |
| Student Building Fee | $48.00 |
| Student Building Fund | $42.00 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $2,776.66 |
| Total | $3,592.98 |
| Semester 3 | Amount |
|---|---|
| *Alumni Fee | $14.90 |
| *Student Administrative Council Governance | $8.00 |
| *Student Administrative Council Provincial Advocacy | $5.00 |
| *Student Food Bank | $1.25 |
| Academic Supports | $33.44 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $7.38 |
| Career Services | $13.70 |
| Health Plan | $280.00 |
| Health and Counselling | $49.89 |
| Information Technology Fee | $101.81 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $11.78 |
| Student Building Fee | $48.00 |
| Student Building Fund | $42.00 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $2,776.66 |
| Total | $3,403.81 |
| Semester 4 | Amount |
|---|---|
| *Alumni Fee | $14.90 |
| *Student Administrative Council Clubs | $2.80 |
| *Student Administrative Council Governance | $8.00 |
| *Student Administrative Council Provincial Advocacy | $5.00 |
| *Student Food Bank | $1.25 |
| Academic Supports | $33.44 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $14.75 |
| Career Services | $13.70 |
| Health and Counselling | $49.89 |
| Information Technology Fee | $101.81 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $11.78 |
| Student Building Fee | $48.00 |
| Student Building Fund | $42.00 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $2,776.66 |
| Total | $3,592.98 |
The fees above are for the current academic year for domestic students. Please note that the fees reflect the Health Plan and Integrated Transportation (Sutherland Programs only) charges for the fall entry point. These charges are applied up front and provide service coverage for a full year September to August. The charges for the winter and spring terms are as follows:
| Health Plan | Integrated Transportation | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | $203.50 | $255.50 | January to August |
| Spring | $148.50 | $142.35 | May to August |
International Students
| Semester 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| *Alumni Fee | $14.90 |
| *Student Administrative Council Governance | $8.00 |
| *Student Administrative Council Provincial Advocacy | $5.00 |
| *Student Food Bank | $1.25 |
| Academic Supports | $33.44 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $7.38 |
| Career Services | $13.70 |
| Health and Counselling | $49.89 |
| Information Technology Fee | $101.81 |
| International Health Plan | $704.58 |
| Mask Fit Testing | $50.00 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $11.78 |
| Student Building Fee | $48.00 |
| Student Building Fund | $42.00 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $8,247.21 |
| Total | $9,348.94 |
| Semester 2 | Amount |
|---|---|
| *Alumni Fee | $14.90 |
| *Student Administrative Council Clubs | $2.80 |
| *Student Administrative Council Governance | $8.00 |
| *Student Administrative Council Provincial Advocacy | $5.00 |
| *Student Food Bank | $1.25 |
| Academic Supports | $33.44 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $14.75 |
| Career Services | $13.70 |
| Health and Counselling | $49.89 |
| Information Technology Fee | $101.81 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $11.78 |
| Student Building Fee | $48.00 |
| Student Building Fund | $42.00 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $8,247.21 |
| Total | $9,505.85 |
| Semester 3 | Amount |
|---|---|
| *Alumni Fee | $14.90 |
| *Student Administrative Council Governance | $8.00 |
| *Student Administrative Council Provincial Advocacy | $5.00 |
| *Student Food Bank | $1.25 |
| Academic Supports | $33.44 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $7.38 |
| Career Services | $13.70 |
| Health and Counselling | $49.89 |
| Information Technology Fee | $101.81 |
| International Health Plan | $704.58 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $11.78 |
| Student Building Fee | $48.00 |
| Student Building Fund | $42.00 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $8,247.21 |
| Total | $9,298.94 |
| Semester 4 | Amount |
|---|---|
| *Alumni Fee | $14.90 |
| *Student Administrative Council Clubs | $2.80 |
| *Student Administrative Council Governance | $8.00 |
| *Student Administrative Council Provincial Advocacy | $5.00 |
| *Student Food Bank | $1.25 |
| Academic Supports | $33.44 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $14.75 |
| Career Services | $13.70 |
| Health and Counselling | $49.89 |
| Information Technology Fee | $101.81 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $11.78 |
| Student Building Fee | $48.00 |
| Student Building Fund | $42.00 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $8,247.21 |
| Total | $9,505.85 |
The fees above are for the current academic year for international students. Please note that the fees reflect the Health Plan and Integrated Transportation (Sutherland Programs only) charges for the fall entry point. These charges are applied up front and provide service coverage for a full year September to August. The charges for the winter and spring terms are as follows:
| Health Plan | Intergrated Transportation | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | $645.82 | $255.50 | January to August |
| Spring | $263.60 | $142.35 | May to August |
Transfer Agreements
You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized below.
Athabasca University
Requirement
- Successful completion of program.
Transfer Credit
- 30 out of a 120 credit degree.
- Refer to the articulation statement for further details.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
For more information
Requirement
- Successful completion of program.
Transfer Credit
- 30 out of a 120 credit degree.
- Refer to the articulation statement for further details.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
For more information
Requirement
- Successful completion of program.
Transfer Credit
- 30 out of a 120 credit degree.
- Refer to the articulation statement for further details.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
For more information
Requirement
- Successful completion of program.
Transfer Credit
- 30 out of a 120 credit degree.
- Refer to the articulation statement for further details.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
For more information
Humber College
Requirement
- Minimum 65% cumulative program average.
- Must possess ENG4U (Grade 12 University English) or equivalent with a course grade of 65%.
- Must possess SBI 4U (Grade 12 University Biology) or equivalent.
- NOTE: This pathway is available starting Winter 2020.
Transfer Credit
- 30 out of a 120 credit degree.
- Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
For more information
Ontario Tech University
Requirement
- Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
- Successful completion of the Allied Health Sciences Bridge courses.
Transfer Credit
- 57 out of a 120 credit degree.
- Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For more information
Requirement
- Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
- Successful completion of the Ontario Tech Commerce Bridge program.
Transfer Credit
- 45 out of a 120 credit degree.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For more information
Requirement
- Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
- 18 credit diploma.
- Note: No transfer credits awarded.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For more information
Last Revised: