Primary Care / Advanced Care Paramedic Training Opportunities In light of recent exploration comparing the american NREMT-I and NREMT-P training programs with the Canadian PCP and ACP training programs showing dramatic benefits to the NREMT programs, the Southern Manitoba Academy for Response Training has made the decision to offer this training program for the benefit of our students and in turn the patients which they will care for. Due to the partnership between our training center and our U.S. counterparts to deliver this program, it is ineligible for accreditation by the Canadian Medical Association.  While this is unfortunate, we do not feel that it should stifle the ability for students to gain valuable training to provide a superior level of care. After careful and deliberate consideration we have decided to offer these training programs based on several distinct advantages for Manitoba students and even more so to enable these students to perform better care of all Manitobans. S.M.A.R.T. Advantages? Time Many individuals wanting to take advanced levels of Paramedic training in Manitoba are left with few options other than “Full Time” training programs.  For potential students that have and need full time employment, this can be a challenge.  For those already employed as emergency responders that wish to further their training to higher levels, this can also be a hurdle.  Also, for those in remote or distant areas of Manitoba, taking several months away from their families inhibits them from perusing advanced training options. In short, our flexible format can allow for mature students, rural students, and current EMS personnel to obtain better training.  This is the premium target for EMS systems looking for qualified employees. Completed in stages and with clinical scheduled in weeklong full time blocks, this course can be completed utilizing minimum time off of work or away from friends and family. Money Certainly linked with time, many students cannot afford to stop working to take advanced levels of paramedic training.  Contrarily, students of our program can earn income while training to pay for tuition as well as continue to pay the bills.  Aside from the link between time and money, our strong Canadian dollar has made a superior NREMT-I or NREMT-P training program more affordable than current PCP courses available in Manitoba.  At a cost of $3500.00 for the PCP / NREMT-I and $4500.00 for the ACP / NREMT-P (not including clinical expenses) plus the additional income able to be earned while taking this part time course, it all adds up to better students taking better training to become better paramedics.  The cost of a Manitoba student taking a current ACP training program is extremely high (if they can even reasonably access one).  Ours would be the first publicly accessible ACP course in Manitoba. Care It is difficult to say that a student will be able to provide better care or be a better paramedic than through alternative programs, but the combination of highly motivated, mature, hard working students combined with unequalled didactic and clinical experiences is a good start.  This is the combination that our PCP / NREMT-I and ACP / NREMT-P programs are able to provide.  It is unfortunate that most of the highest trained paramedics with the most clinical experience are generally located in the large urban centers.  With such large “non-urban” areas of Manitoba, it can only benefit these communities to have highly trained and experienced care providers if the training is available and affordable. After successful completion of the course work and skills, the student will attend clinical rotations. These are set up by our clinical coordinators so the student just has to show up.  Clinical Rotations include time in the OR, Trauma center, Psychiatric, OB, Pediatric, ER, and of course on the Ambulance.  There currently are approximately 15 hospitals under contract, including Level 1 trauma centers and approximately 20 ambulance services including Dallas FD.  Also, we have a National Registry first time pass rate of 94%. The national average of schools nationwide is around 50% first time pass rate. So the proof is definitely in the student’s results regarding our method of teaching. Both the PCP / NREMT-I and the ACP / NREMT-P programs are developed and currently operational in the United States and beginning in September 2008, S.M.A.R.T. will help facilitate the process for Manitoba students wishing to pursue these advanced EMS programs.  It is our hope and expectation that Manitoba Health will recognize the merits of these programs for reciprocity and therefore eligibility to take the EMT-Paramedic and EMT-Paramedic Advanced licensing examinations.  It should be clear however that at this time students taking our PCP / NREMT-I and/or ACP / NREMT-P programs would need to apply for reciprocity of their training to Manitoba Health on an independent basis for approval.  As mentioned earlier, these programs are not eligible for CMA accreditation.  Although this certainly raises some challenges for interprovincial reciprocity, we know that students wishing to stay in Manitoba but be trained as well as possible will benefit from these programs. For more information about the PCP or ACP courses call Brad directly at (204) 782-0390

Site Map