Toronto EMS - Becoming a Paramedic

If you are interested in a professional career as a Paramedic in Toronto, the following are the prerequisites as per the Ambulance Act of Ontario:

Must hold an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent

Must read, write and speak English fluently

Must not have received, during the year immediately prior to employment as a paramedic, six or more demerit points recorded on his or her drivers licence

During the two years immediately prior to employment as a paramedic and during employement as a paramedic, must have maintained a valid driver’s licence (ie; no licence suspensions)

During the three years immediately prior to employment as a paramedic, must not have been prohibited from driving under the criminal code

Must hold a valid Class "F" Ontario driver's license

Must be immunized against the following deseases; tetanus, diptheria, polio, measels, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and hepatitis B (or have proof of immunity or medical contraidication for vaccinations)

Must be free of symptoms of all communicable diseases set out in the “Ambulance Services Communicable Disease Standard” from the Emergency Health Services Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care

Must not have been convicted of any crime of moral turpitude (that has not been pardoned)

Must hold valid BCLS (Basic Rescuer or Level “C” CPR) or ACLS certification at the time of employment as a paramedic and continuously hold a valid BCLS or ACLS certification while employed as a paramedic

Must be a graduate from a Paramedic Program of a recognized College of Applied Arts and Technology

Must have obtained a pass on the EMCA (Emergency Medical Care Attendant) exam or Advanced EMCA exam at the time of employment as a paramedic or within 210 days of completion of a paramedic program

The Primary Care Paramedic Program runs year-round at various Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology and Private Community Colleges. A list of colleges that offer Paramedic Programs can be found on the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Web site

Curriculum, program length and structure vary slightly from college to college. Generally, Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) Programs train students in such subject areas as:

First Aid
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Pathophysiology
Community Health Issues
Emergency Medical Patient Care
Emergency Trauma Patient Care
Ambulance Operations
Workplace Safety
Human Relations
Psychology
Professional, Moral and Ethical Issues
Symptom Relief and Semi-automatic External Defibrillation
Physical Education and Fitness

Primary Care Paramedic Programs typically include a combination of theory/didactic learning, hands on/practical learning and internship on an ambulance with qualified and experienced Paramedic Field Training Officers. Upon completion of the college program, the student is eligible to write the Ontario Provincial Advanced Emergency Medical Care Attendant (EMCA) exam.

Paramedics who have obtained their training outside of Ontario can apply for equivalency with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC). Information on the equivalency process can be obtained by visiting the MOHLTC web site

Toronto uses the Centralized Paramedic Competency Recruitment Testing (CPCRT) for recruitment. For more information on the CPCRT process, click here. (PDF document will open in a new window.)

Successful applicants will be called and directed to report to Toronto EMS Headquarters at a specified time. Toronto EMS will then screen applicants through a testing process which may include any or all the following:

airway management
patient assessment
lifting (strength and technique)
driving skills
written medical theory exam
personal interview
other related emergency care skills.

As part of the screening process, the applicant is put through a fitness and physical test. If the applicant is successful in all aspects of the screening process, they are requested to report to Toronto EMS Headquarters for a two to three week orientation program, after which they are assigned to road duty as a level I paramedic.

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