Excellence in Emergency Medical Education
Training at the Atlantic Paramedic Academy
The Atlantic Paramedic Academy is located in Moncton, New Brunswick. Since joining the Medavie EMS group of companies in December of 2008, there has been significant expansion from an original offering of Primary Care Paramedicine (PCP) training at campuses in Moncton and Fredericton, New Brunswick. Added to the training roster includes: Advanced Care Paramedicine (ACP); Flight Nurse training; and Emergency Medical Dispatcher. The school also offers Advanced Emergent Care (AEC) for Canadian Forces Paramedics. As well, through Emergency Medical Technology Services(EMT), targeted training in cardiac and trauma care courses are available throughout the Maritimes. Additional future course offerings will include ACP training in the French language.
Meeting and exceeding performance benchmarks is important to the school. This is evidenced by accreditation of all APA Paramedic training programs by the Canadian Medical Association’s Conjoint Committee on Accreditation in April of 2009. This standard ensures that the school’s graduates meet requirement for licensure not only in New Brunswick, but across Canada. The school is also registered and compliant with the New Brunswick Department of Post Secondary Education as a private trainer in the province. The APA maintains membership with the New Brunswick Association of Career Colleges and the Canadian Association of Career Colleges.
Strong relationships with all the Medavie EMS operating companies, as well as the Department of National Defense have resulted in a high level of growth at the school over the past two years. Originally owned by the New Brunswick Council of St. John Ambulance, the APA transitioned successfully from providing Paramedic training solely for the New Brunswick market to being poised to export the skills and knowledge for Emergency Services Responders outside of this region. Graduates from the APA can work in ground and air ambulance systems, industrial and remote settings and in training.
The recent award of a national military training contract (delivered in both official languages) complements and enhances existing programming. All of the Canadian Forces Paramedics who attend the APA to receive training in life saving skills that will be used both in the clinic setting and on the battlefield. The APA has always been responsive to regional needs for locally trained paramedics and has, and will continue, to expand and establish satellite training campuses in areas to meet those demands. Being flexible and responsive to industry needs has made the APA the trainer of choice.
The success of the APA lies with a core of strongly committed teaching and administrative staff. Combined experience from Primary Care to Critical Care Flight Paramedic, complemented by additional training in Adult Education means that students are exposed to the best practices in Paramedicine education. Many staff are fully bilingual, adding to these strengths. A Program Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from the Medavie EMS operating companies, Medical Oversight Physicians, allied Health Care providers and students provide oversight to the school. This strong link provides a Continuous Quality Assurance loop to keep the programs relevant. Adherence to the National Occupational Competency Profile (NOCP) for Paramedics forms the basis for Paramedic course content.
Recently, the APA allied with the Canadian Patient Safety Institute. The group’s mission is to build and advance a safer healthcare system for Canadians. The backbone of their mission is evidenced in 122 Patient Safety Competencies designed to allow healthcare providers to receive training in broad areas of patient safety. The APA is proud to have incorporated all competencies into their Paramedic training programs, one of the first schools in Canada to do so.
Training for Emergency Services personnel is key to the success of the Atlantic Paramedic Academy and the Medavie EMS group of companies.
Together, we are forging strong partnerships that will ensure that delivery of innovative health care, safety and communications solutions through knowledgeable and caring professionals. Our belief is in a better life for the communities we serve.