Career guide
Paramedic
Paramedics assess and treat people at the scene of an emergency and on the way to hospital, and move patients between facilities.
- StatusLicence required
- Training1–2 year program
- Pay scaleNot stated in current postings
- Openings now1
A day in the job
You check your ambulance and equipment, then answer calls: chest pain, falls, crashes, breathing problems. You assess, treat, decide where the patient should go and hand over at the hospital. Rural services also cover long transfers.
Where you could work: Urban, rural and remote EMS, interfacility transport
How to get there
- Complete a paramedic program recognized by the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (the Justice Institute of BC is the main one)
British Columbia schools: Justice Institute of British Columbia (opens in a new tab)
Licence and registration
- Pass the board's exams for your licence level
- Get licensed by the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (licensing is required by law)
- Keep up the yearly continuing-competence requirements
Official starting point: Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (opens in a new tab)
Trained outside Canada?
Paramedics licensed elsewhere in Canada can transfer their licence if in good standing, and must pass BC's jurisprudence exam; training alone is not accepted.
Important: Requirements can change and may differ for internationally educated professionals. CareZelo links to official bodies but does not determine eligibility.