Advanced Care Paramedicine

Canadian Students

International Students

Program Details

Advanced Care Paramedicine
Program Code: 2B4
Credential: Post Diploma
Duration: 5 Semesters
School of Health Sciences
Area: Health Sciences
Domestic Applications: CLOSED
International Applications: CLOSED

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Program Overview

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Location/Delivery Modes & Dates

Bay St. George Campus - Blended delivery - May 2026
Prince Philip Drive Campus - Blended delivery - May 2026
For more information please contact Gina O'Brien at gina.obrien@cna.nl.ca

Advancing health care.

Paramedics are highly skilled members of a health care team who function in the realm of emergency medical services (EMS). Using sound knowledge, they demonstrate rational problem-solving abilities and excellent decision-making skills, initiating medical treatment for individuals of all ages in urgent and non-urgent situations. This is a unique and vital community service and a truly meaningful vocation.

Advanced care paramedicine (ACP) builds on the foundations and responsibilities of primary care paramedicine (PCP) by expanding the scope of practice to include comprehensive patient assessment , enhanced critical thinking, and delivery of advanced emergency interventions. This may include the administering of medications, advanced airway management with invasive respiratory therapies and vascular access. This is a complex and diverse field, requiring a broad set of clinical and non-clinical competencies. The context of this practice is ever growing, as are the roles that paramedics play in health care.

This post-diploma program is for primary care paramedics seeking to advance their practice by developing not only the operational and procedural skills of an advanced care paramedic but also ethical and professional behaviours essential to practice, including effective communication. Mental and physical fitness, and healthy lifestyles are also emphasized throughout the program, as advanced care paramedics must be fit to perform the requirements of the occupation.

Designed with a blended delivery model, this ACP program allows you to engage online with course material which is enhanced by on-campus labs and clinical simulation. These activities, paired with a robust, clinical practicum, will support you in meeting the requirements for entry to practice ACP level in accordance with the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators (COPR).

This is an opportunity to elevate your career and be a part of advancing emergency and community health care.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Five-semester post-diploma training in advanced emergency care to Primary Care Paramedics presently practicing in Newfoundland and Labrador
Attend three, one-week long mandatory practical sessions per semester at specific dates as well as hospital-based clinical shifts each semester
Hospital-based clinical shifts with individual shifts spread throughout the semester (Semester 2 – equivalent of one-week hospital shifts; Semester 3 – equivalent of three-weeks of hospital shifts; and Semester 4 – equivalent of one-week of hospital shifts)

DID YOU KNOW?

Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to advancing paramedicine services for clients as part of the 10-year Health Accord Framework.^[1]
As the population ages, the demand for paramedical services in NL will likely increase.^[2]
The average advanced care paramedic salary in Canada is $74,000–$77,000 per year; most experienced workers make up to $90,000–$100,000+ per year.^[3]

OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the Advanced Care Paramedicine program, graduates will be able to:

Perform advanced skills in respiratory, cardiac, trauma, obstetric care, pediatrics, pharmacology, and medical emergencies.
Meet the entry-to-practice competencies and requirements of an Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) as defined by the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators (COPR).
Contribute productively as a member of the health care team.
Use judgement and critical thinking skills to reach decisions that will best benefit the patient and work autonomously in their areas of responsibility.
Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills that promote logical and independent decision-making in the provision of ACP care.

CERTIFICATIONS

During the program students will complete the following certificate (s)/ Certifications:

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Mental Health First Aid
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Incident Command System (ICS 100)
Trauma Informed Care

CLINICAL PLACEMENTS

Clinical placements are a required element of this program, and students will be assigned placements at approved training sites. There is no guarantee that students will receive a placement at their preferred clinical site. All expenses associated with the completion of clinical placement are the responsibility of the student.

Students require a clear Certificate of Conduct (Criminal Record Check and Vulnerability Sector Check) to be permitted into a clinical placement. Students with an unclear Certificate of Conduct are advised to contact student.placements@cna.nl.ca prior to beginning the program.

For programs with competitive admissions, clinical placements are not affected by ranking in the competitive admissions process and will be determined under institutional guidelines.

ACCREDITATION

The Advanced Care Paramedicine (ACP) program is currently admitted with Accreditation Canada.

The admitted status means that “An educational program has applied for accreditation, and accreditation processes are underway. The admitted status will expire three years from the date of program acceptance, unless otherwise indicated. Students are advised to monitor the accreditation status of an admitted status program to make ensure that accredited status has been achieved at the time of their graduation. Students enrolled in an educational program that has not be accredited at the time of graduation may not be eligible for further credentialing/certification/registration as required by their professional and/or regulatory authorities.”

If you require additional information regarding our accreditation status and endeavors and/or any potential implications our accreditation status may have on your future abilities to practice as a healthcare professional, we encourage you to reach out to the Dean for the School of Health Sciences.

Note: Graduates of the program are eligible to write the certification examination set by Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators (COPR).

TUITION SUPPORT

The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador provides some financial incentive for healthcare programs. For more information on this and other incentives visit Incentives | Health Care Careers in Newfoundland & Labrador.

REFERENCES

^[1] Health Accord for Newfoundland and Labrador: The Report – A 10-year health transformation, 2022; Health Accord for Newfoundland & Labrador - Newfoundland and Labrador
^[2] Job Bank, Government of Canada, Paramedic in Newfoundland and Labrador, 2024; Paramedic in Newfoundland and Labrador | Job prospects - Job Bank
^[3] Advanced Care Paramedic Salary in Canada - Average Salary

Admission Requirements

Completion of a paramedic diploma or certificate with successful completion of national COPR examination Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) or provincial equivalent
Minimum of one-year experience (1,900 hours) as a PCP
Hold and maintain an active license to practice as a PCP in the province of NL for the duration of the program

Note: The School of Health Sciences requires the following minimum English language proficiency scores for applicants whose first language is not English (IELTS Academic Test overall band score of 7.0, Speaking 7.0, Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5 and Writing 7.0). English as a Second Language (ESL) students only – must meet School of Health Sciences English proficiency as outlined in Policy No. AC-102-PR.

Note: Students meeting academic entrance requirements are accepted on a first qualified, first accepted basis. Before final acceptance is granted, additional documentation must be submitted.

Additional Requirements Upon Acceptance

1. Complete a HS Student Information and Program Awareness Package, which includes:

Criminal Record Screening (RNC) or Criminal Record Check (RCMP)
Vulnerable Sector Check (RNC or RCMP)
NL Student Preplacement Immunizations and Communicable Diseases Screening Form

2. Program specific requirements:

CPR (BLS) – Annual renewal required for duration of the program.
Mask Fit Testing
Active Class 04 Drivers License (minimum)

See the Additional Information for Health Sciences Applicants (Definitions and Regulations) section of the calendar or under the Admissions Regulations section of our website for details.

Notes:

Applicants with a criminal offense listed on their Criminal Record Check may be denied access to clinical placements and may be unable to complete their program. Acceptance of the Criminal Record is at the discretion of the clinical placement site.
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all medical requirements are met, and health screening records are complete before submission. Certain immunizations require a series of tests or vaccines, requiring weeks or months to complete. Start the process as early as possible.
The applicant is responsible for all associated costs (vaccinations, laboratory testing, healthcare fees, certificate of conduct fees, mask fit testing etc.).

Courses

COURSES

CODE	TITLE	Hrs/wk
Semester 1	Intersession	Cr	Le	La
PA3120	Pathophysiology	3	3	0
PA3125	Pharmacology for ACPs	2	2	1
PA3130	Foundations for Advance Care	5	4	3

Semester 2		Cr	Le	La
CM3020	Evidence Based Practice & Oral Communications	4	4	0
PA3111	Advanced Care for Medical Emergencies I	4	3	3
PA3235	Advanced Airway Management & Resuscitation	6	4	3 + 1 wk
PA3231	Advanced Care for Trauma	6	5	3
PA3240	Paramedic Wellness, Resilience, and Workplace Safety	2	2	0

Semester 3		Cr	Le	La
PA3321	Advanced Care for Obstetrics and Pediatrics	8	5	3 + 2 wks
PA3335	Advanced Care for Special Considerations	5	4	2
PA3340	Interagency Relations	2	2	0
PA3221	Advanced Care for Medical Emergencies II	6	4	2 + 1 wk
PA3345	Management of Toxicology	4	4	1

Semester 4	Intersession	Cr	Le	La
PA3311	Advanced Care for Medical Emergencies III	5	3	3 + 1 wk
PA3400	Introduction to Critical Care	3	2	3
PA1250	Social Responsibilities of the Paramedic	2	2	0

Semester 5		Cr	Le	La
PA3410	Final Practicum	14	0	14 wks

Note:

Semester 1
Weeks 1 - 6	Online (Asynchronous)
Week 7	On Campus Labs
Semester 2
Weeks 1 - 4	Online (Asynchronous)
Week 5	On Campus Labs
Weeks 6 - 9	Online (Asynchronous)
Week 10	On Campus Labs
Weeks 11 - 14	Online (Asynchronous)
Week 15	On Campus Labs
Semester 3
Weeks 1 - 7	Online (Asynchronous)
Week 8	On Campus Labs
Weeks 9 - 10	Online (Asynchronous)
Week 12	On Campus Labs
Weeks 13 - 14	Online (Asynchronous)
Week 15	On Campus Labs
Semester 4
Weeks 1 - 7	Online (Asynchronous)
Week 8	On Campus Labs
Semester 5
Weeks 1 - 15	Clinical Preceptorship

Tuition & Fees

Canadian Students

Canadian Students

The confirmation fee is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance. It is required in order to hold your seat in the program.

Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $30.00 (per program)

A non-refundable fee required for each application submitted to the College | Application Page

Application fees are only refundable if the program does not go ahead, and the applicant does not want to transfer the application to another program.

Note: The following fee is non-refundable and must be paid within two (2) weeks of receiving your Letter of Acceptance for each program at the College.

Confirmation Fee - $105.00 (per program annually)

A non-refundable annual fee due upon confirming acceptance into each program. This covers registration and student association services and must be paid each academic year.

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

A one-time fee assessed for auditing academic records during your program.

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

A semester-based fee to support student access to software, internet, and digital services across all campuses.

Full-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

School	Regular Term (15 weeks)	Intersession (up to 7 weeks)
Health Sciences	$1,301.00 (per semester)	$625.00 (per semester)

Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Program Type	Tuition Fee
Certificate & Diploma Programs	$320.00 (per course)

Regulations

All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term. These dates can be found in the Academic Calendar .

Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of award on the first day of classes. These students may defer payment until aid is received, at which time fees must be paid in full.
Students who do not pay fees within the prescribed time may have their registration cancelled.
Students with outstanding balances are:
- Ineligible for future term registration
- Unable to receive diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports
- Denied access to online grades until the balance is paid in full

It is the student's responsibility to clear all balances and contact their campus Student Services office with any account inquiries.

Additional Notes

If the College cancels a program, all tuition and fees will be fully refunded.
Out-of-sequence students registering or withdrawing mid-term will be charged on a pro-rated basis.
Students taking additional courses beyond a standard load must pay for each extra course.
Senior citizens (60+) receive a 50% discount on confirmation fees and tuition.
Students auditing a course must pay:
- 50% of tuition
- 100% of any applicable technology fees

International Students

A fee, which is applied toward program tuition and compulsory fees and includes a deposit fee, is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance.

Mandatory Fees

Full-Time Student Fees

School	Regular Term (15 weeks)	Intersession (up to 7 weeks)
Health Sciences	$4,685.00 (per semester)	$2,344.00 (per semester)

Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Program Type	Tuition Fee
Certificate & Diploma Programs	$1,046.00 (per course)

Estimated Program Costs

The document below provides a summary of estimated program costs for international students applying to the 2026–2027 academic year. Please note that all amounts are approximate and subject to change without notice. These costs apply only to international applicants.

Download Estimated Program Costs (PDF)

Making Payments

Application Fee

If applying online, the application fee must be paid via credit card during the submission of your application to College of the North Atlantic.

Tuition and Other Payments

College of the North Atlantic has partnered with PayMyTuition for all international tuition payments. All tuition payments, unless otherwise noted, can be paid via PayMyTuition.

Payments can be made from any bank, in any country, and in any currency.
Offers better than bank exchange rates.
Fast, secure, and cost-effective.

Please note that you can only use PayMyTuition once you have been assigned a CNA student number.

Regulations

All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term. These dates can be found in the Academic Calendar .

Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of award on the first day of classes. These students may defer payment until aid is received, at which time fees must be paid in full.
Students who do not pay fees within the prescribed time may have their registration cancelled.
Students with outstanding balances are:
- Ineligible for future term registration
- Unable to receive diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports
- Denied access to online grades until the balance is paid in full

It is the student's responsibility to clear all balances and contact their campus Student Services office with any account inquiries.

Additional Notes

If the College cancels a program, all tuition and fees will be fully refunded.
Out-of-sequence students registering or withdrawing mid-term will be charged on a pro-rated basis.
Students taking additional courses beyond a standard load must pay for each extra course.
Senior citizens (60+) receive a 50% discount on confirmation fees and tuition.
Students auditing a course must pay:
- 50% of tuition
- 100% of any applicable technology fees

College of the North Atlantic reserves the right to cancel or alter the delivery date and location of any program offering and delivery method, and will do so in a timely manner in order to minimize the impact on applicants.