Primary Care Paramedic

Certificate

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This program offers a rewarding and challenging career for those individuals interested in providing emergency medical services to the sick and injured in a prehospital care environment. Primary Care Paramedic (formerly known as Emergency Medical Technician-Ambulance) training utilizes the facilities at NAIT, active treatment hospitals, basic and advanced life support ambulance services and other allied emergency services.

In addition to the program being offered twice a year at its main campus, NAIT also offers the program twice per year in partnership with Lethbridge College and once per year in partnership with Lakeland College as part of its Emergency Services Technology Diploma Program.

Upcoming Intakes

Select your preferred intake to see relevant program information. Program details, including tuition and course information, may vary by intake.

Selection Start Date Delivery Mode Time Campus Length Domestic Status International Status
Jan. 08, 2026 (Winter) In-person Weekdays - Daytime Main 1 Year (Full-time) Open N/A
 
             
 

Swipe table to view more information for each intake.

Delivery Mode

  • In-person - All your class activity will be delivered in person, on campus.
  • Online - All your class activity will be delivered online.
  • Hybrid - Your classes will be a mixture of in person and online learning. You must be able to come to campus and participate remotely online.
  • Your choice - Your program offers a variety of class delivery options (in person, online, or a mixture of both) and you can select which type of classes to take. If you wish, you can complete your entire program either in-person or online.
  • HyFlex - All your classes are delivered for simultaneous participation in person and online. You can choose daily to attend your classes in person or join remotely online.

Time

  • Your choice - You can select class times and days that fit your schedule. There are a variety of class options for you to choose from including daytime, evening, weekdays or weekends.
  • No set time - No set class days or times, content is access on-demand. You can complete your studies on your own schedule within the scheduled class dates; may have set due dates and deadlines.
  • Evenings & Weekends - Classes are scheduled after 5 p.m. on weekdays or anytime on weekends.
  • Weekdays - Daytime - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start before 6 p.m.
  • Weekdays - Evening - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start after 6 p.m.
  • Weekends - Classes are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.

Campus

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at this campus location.

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Length

  • Full-Time - This is the standard length to complete the program, with a full course load per term.
  • Part-Time - Students follow a structured schedule of classes so they can progress in their studies part-time while balancing everyday life.

Domestic Status

The program availability status for domestic applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

International Status

The program availability status for international applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Limited - For international applicants, the program intake is now only available if you already have a valid study permit.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

Credit programs that accept international applicants also meet the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, including programs with a Hybrid delivery mode. Each student is responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training

In this certificate program you will learn about providing basic emergency care, including assessment and treatment of patients with a variety of medical disorders and injuries.  Your learning environment will consist of lectures, labs, clinical simulations and practicum.  Areas of learning will be focused on but are not excluded to:

  • Introduction to emergency medical services and pre hospital care
  • Human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology
  • Basic life support skills including medical and trauma management
  • Pharmacology
  • Diverse patient populations including management of some pediatric disorders and assisting with childbirth

You will also be trained in physical and mental health self-care, to ensure you are prepared for a demanding patient care environment.

Practicum will consist of placement with an ambulance service and one week in an acute care hospital emergency department. You will be expected to work shifts including evenings, nights and weekends, and you may be required to travel outside of Edmonton for your practicum placement.

The first 6 courses in the program consist of a mixture of lectures and labs of approximately 400 hours, and the last course will consist of practicum placement of approximately 240 hours.

You can expect to spend, on average:

  • 28 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester
  • 15 to 20 hours per week studying and completing class assignments
  • 40 hours per week on practicum

Program Goals:

  • To foster an environment of clinical and academic excellence that prepares students to function as competent and active members of, and leaders in the health care community.
  • To graduate students who demonstrate entry‐level skills necessary to competently and safely perform procedures as specified in the National Occupational Profile (NOCP).
  • To graduate students who demonstrate professional and ethical behavior.
  • To provide an educational experience that instills in the graduate a commitment for continued learning and an inquiring attitude.
  • To develop the students communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and leadership skills.
  • To graduate students who demonstrate compassionate, safe, and quality health care to a diverse population.
  • To graduate students who will experience a high degree of satisfaction with their learning journey in all program components.
  • To graduate students with whom employers will experience a high degree of satisfaction.

A new frontier in hands-on health-care training

CAE Healthcare and NAIT have entered a simulation research partnership to improve health-care education and patient safety, including support for the polytechnic's simulation research initiatives.

Keeping it Real

From practicing on high-fidelity manikins to learning on the latest software, watch how NAIT students practice the best patient care.

Pushing the limits of simulation training

NAIT's Simulation Centre re-creates the real world of health-care careers

Career Outcomes

Employment as a Primary Care Paramedic is subject to licensing requirements for the province you work in under the respective college. Please refer to the Alberta College of Paramedics website to learn more about their requirements for licensing/registration and licensing exam requirements.

Year 1
Period 1

The first period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices are trained in tools, equipment and materials, plumbing theory, gas theory, heating, practical tool use, safety and WHMIS, related math and science, blueprint reading, sketching and drawing.

Year 2
Period 2

The second period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices review the first year and are provided further training in plumbing theory, math, science and blueprints. New training includes hydronic heating, gasfitting, pipe trades practical applications, pipefitting and welding.

Year 3
Period 3

The third period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices receive more advanced training in theory, math and science, practical applications and blueprint reading and sketching, along with training in private sewage disposal systems, hydronic radiant heating and gasfitting theory and labs.

Year 4
Period 4

The fourth period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices receive further advanced training in related subjects, practical applications and gasfitting theory and labs along with training in private water supply and water treatment, drain waste and venting and special applications.

Build your resume before you even graduate

Explore work experience opportunities that help grads get hired even sooner.

View Work Integrated Learning

Work Experience Placements

Year 1
Period 1

The first period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices are trained in tools, equipment and materials, plumbing theory, gas theory, heating, practical tool use, safety and WHMIS, related math and science, blueprint reading, sketching and drawing.

Year 2
Period 2

The second period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices review the first year and are provided further training in plumbing theory, math, science and blueprints. New training includes hydronic heating, gasfitting, pipe trades practical applications, pipefitting and welding.

Year 3
Period 3

The third period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices receive more advanced training in theory, math and science, practical applications and blueprint reading and sketching, along with training in private sewage disposal systems, hydronic radiant heating and gasfitting theory and labs.

Year 4
Period 4

The fourth period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices receive further advanced training in related subjects, practical applications and gasfitting theory and labs along with training in private water supply and water treatment, drain waste and venting and special applications.

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 5 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of C in the course(s) or program

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Year 1
Period 1

The first period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices are trained in tools, equipment and materials, plumbing theory, gas theory, heating, practical tool use, safety and WHMIS, related math and science, blueprint reading, sketching and drawing.

Year 2
Period 2

The second period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices review the first year and are provided further training in plumbing theory, math, science and blueprints. New training includes hydronic heating, gasfitting, pipe trades practical applications, pipefitting and welding.

Year 3
Period 3

The third period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices receive more advanced training in theory, math and science, practical applications and blueprint reading and sketching, along with training in private sewage disposal systems, hydronic radiant heating and gasfitting theory and labs.

Year 4
Period 4

The fourth period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices receive further advanced training in related subjects, practical applications and gasfitting theory and labs along with training in private water supply and water treatment, drain waste and venting and special applications.

Year 1
Period 1

The first period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices are trained in tools, equipment and materials, plumbing theory, gas theory, heating, practical tool use, safety and WHMIS, related math and science, blueprint reading, sketching and drawing.

Year 2
Period 2

The second period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices review the first year and are provided further training in plumbing theory, math, science and blueprints. New training includes hydronic heating, gasfitting, pipe trades practical applications, pipefitting and welding.

Year 3
Period 3

The third period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices receive more advanced training in theory, math and science, practical applications and blueprint reading and sketching, along with training in private sewage disposal systems, hydronic radiant heating and gasfitting theory and labs.

Year 4
Period 4

The fourth period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices receive further advanced training in related subjects, practical applications and gasfitting theory and labs along with training in private water supply and water treatment, drain waste and venting and special applications.

Scholarships & Awards

NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!

Learn how to apply for awards

Year 1
Period 1

The first period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices are trained in tools, equipment and materials, plumbing theory, gas theory, heating, practical tool use, safety and WHMIS, related math and science, blueprint reading, sketching and drawing.

Year 2
Period 2

The second period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices review the first year and are provided further training in plumbing theory, math, science and blueprints. New training includes hydronic heating, gasfitting, pipe trades practical applications, pipefitting and welding.

Year 3
Period 3

The third period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices receive more advanced training in theory, math and science, practical applications and blueprint reading and sketching, along with training in private sewage disposal systems, hydronic radiant heating and gasfitting theory and labs.

Year 4
Period 4

The fourth period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices receive further advanced training in related subjects, practical applications and gasfitting theory and labs along with training in private water supply and water treatment, drain waste and venting and special applications.

International Applicants

This program does not accept international applicants. International applicants interested in this program may contact a NAIT International Academic Advisor to discuss their options.

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. If you are a current or recently admitted student you can find program and course information as well as contact details for your program on the My Program page on the MyNAIT Portal.








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