Becoming A Paramedic
Thank you for your interest in Perth County Paramedic Services, this information is designed to outline our recruitment process and answer common questions.
On This Page:
Click the sections below to learn more about different opportunities within Perth County's Paramedic Services.
- How do I apply for a Paramedic Position?
- What are the stages in the Paramedic Recruitment Process?
- What documents must be submitted in order to be considered for employment?
- What do I need to know if I am offered a position?
- Education and Training
How do I apply for a Paramedic Position?
Perth County will post any active job postings on the Employment Opportunities section of our website. Click here to visit the Employment Opportunities page. Whenever a posting is listed it indicates Perth County Paramedic Services is actively recruiting Primary Care Paramedics.
When applying please be sure to begin preparing all of the required documentation listed on the documentation checklist. Selected candidates will be required to submit all required documentation by step 3 of the recruitment process. Upon request, you will need to provide a copy of each document as well as the original for validation.
What are the stages in the Paramedic Recruitment Process?
Following the application process candidates who have been selected to move on to the next stage of the recruitment process will be contacted with further details and directions.
Paramedic Recruitment will include five stages:
- Application – Applicants submit cover letter, resume and complete all pre-screen questions by visiting the Employment Opportunities page.
- Interview (selected candidates only) – Selected candidates will be invited to participate in the interview process. Candidate evaluations may include interview, driving evaluation and/or skill/scenario evaluation.
- Documentation Submission and Validation (selected candidates only) – Selected candidates will be required to submit all documentation outlined on the documentation checklist.
- Job Offer/Orientation (selected candidates only) – Selected candidates will be invited to participate in an orientation which includes third-person orientation ride-outs.
Candidates will be required to be successful/pass each phase of the process in order to be considered for employment.
What documents must be submitted in order to be considered for employment?
Please refer to the Paramedic Services Recruitment Documentation Checklist. If a candidate’s application is missing any of the required documentation their application will not continue to the next step of the process. Candidates will also have to have a Completed Physical Assessment through an approved vendor attached to their application (note vendor will be on the check sheet).
For those who do not have a current updated Criminal Record Check, you may need to download and complete the Vulnerable Sector Search Police Letter if requested.
What do I need to know if I am offered a position?
If you are a successful candidates through the Paramedic Recruitment Process, you will be required to attend and successfully complete a mandatory orientation session, driver training, and submit a County approved medical completed by a duly qualified Physician prior to orientation. Click here to download the Health Questionnaire. Orientation may take up to 14 days to complete.
If you fail to attend the orientation sessions on the dates provided, fail to provide all required documentation or fail to submit an approved medical prior to the beginning of orientation you will forfeit your employment opportunity.
Education and Training
To become a paramedic in the province of Ontario, you must be a high school graduate and attend a recognized paramedic program at an Ontario college. Generally colleges require the following prerequisites:
- Senior high school biology
- Senior high school science
- High school graduation diploma
- Current standard first aid certificate
- Current CPR C (basic rescuer level)
- Current immunizations - Hep B, (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), proof of immunity to Varcella TDP, flu shot (recommended), MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Free from all communicable diseases
- Class F Ontario driver's license
- Physically fit and able to lift
- Able to fluently read and write in the English language
- At least 18 years of age - prior to graduation of college
Becoming a paramedic involves a 4 Step process:
- Graduate from a certified Ontario college with a Paramedic diploma.
- Upon completion of your Paramedic diploma, graduates must pass the provincial certification exam (Advanced Emergency Medical Care Attendant).
- As a provincially licensed AEMCA you may apply to work in EMS services. Perth County Paramedic Service requires that all potential Paramedic recruits partake in paramedic Competency Recruitment Testing process.
- Upon employment, new Paramedic recruits must pass a certification exam by our local base hospital physician as well as a detailed County orientation program including defensive driving testing.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provides a list of colleges offering certified paramedic programs. Paramedics from out of the Province interested in working in Ontario may need to complete the Paramedic Equivalency Process.