Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate required skills, knowledge, and abilities, as prescribed by the Paramedic Association of Canada National Occupational Competency Profile with consistency, independence, timeliness, accuracy, and appropriateness.
- Integrate assessment, diagnostic, and treatment procedures into the holistic management of patients in the out-of-hospital setting.
- Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills that promote logical and independent decision-making in the provision of paramedic care.
- Maintain a level of physical and mental health necessary to perform the bona fide occupational requirements.
- Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with other members of the health care team to serve patients and employers with the highest degree of competence.
- Reflect professionalism through personal deportment and public interactions.
- Demonstrate ethical behaviour, empathy and respect for individuals.
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 will be 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.
The province of Newfoundland and Labrador has incentive funding for students enrolled in the EMR to PCP program, including:
Skills Advancement Program for Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) to advance to Primary Care Paramedics
Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) who advance their skills to become Primary Care Paramedic (PCPs) through the EMR to PCP Program at College of the North Atlantic (CNA), are eligible for financial support up to fund necessary costs relating to tuition, books, supplies and other associated fees for eligible students over the course of the three-year program. EMRs currently completing the program, as well as EMRs entering the program in September 2025 are eligible with a three-year return-in-service commitment with NL Health Services.
Educational Travel Subsidy for Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) & Advanced Care Paramedics (ACPs)
Students completing the Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) to Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program, as well as the Advanced Care Paramedic Program (ACP) through College of the North Atlantic (CNA) may be eligible for an Educational Travel Subsidy to assist with costs associated with travel to St. John’s or Stephenville as required for laboratory and clinical education. This is a one-time subsidy available to current students (prorated based upon year of study), as well as students beginning year one of the respective programs in September 2025.
For more information visit
the Department of Health and Community Services website.