Primary Care Paramedic

Admission requirements

Admission and selection

• Fall 2021 start: applications are accepted Oct. 2, 2019, to March 31, 2021.
• Fall 2022 start: application are accepted Oct 6, 2021 to March 1, 2022

*This program does not accept international students

Admission requirements

At least 50% in each of the following courses or their equivalents:

• Math 20-1 or Math 20-2 or Pure Math 20 or Applied Math 20
• English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2
• Biology 30 or Science 30. *
• All applicants must demonstrate  English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
• Students must be 18 years old by Jan. 1 (second semester of the program).
• Proof of completion of an  Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certificate or a medical sciences-related diploma or degree or equivalent.
• Successful applicants must meet or exceed 50% on the scoring rubric for the School of Health and Public Safety’s Entrance Testing Process.

        Entrance testing process

NOTE: Anticipated final grades will not be accepted for the School of Health and Public Safety Entrance Testing Process.

Admission is offered on a first-qualifed, first-offered basis, until the program is full.

SAIT accepts  high school course equivalents for admission. If you don't meet the requirements, consider  Academic Upgrading.

SAIT evaluates international documents for admissions. After you've applied, consider our  international document assessment service if your education is from outside of Canada. 

*ANPH 209 (Anatomy and Physiology) can be used in place of the Biology 30 or Science 30 requirement. This course is available through Open Studies.

Direct entry: five-step process

Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.

Step 2: Review the information related to the necessary components of the School of Health and Public Safety Entrance Testing Process

Step 3:  Complete the School of Health and Public Safety Entrance Testing Process non-academic admission requirement. Ensure that you meet all of the academic admission requirements listed above.

Step 4: Apply to the Primary Care Paramedic program and submit your transcripts and/or anticipated final grades.

• Admission is offered on a first-qualified, first offered basis, until the program is full. 

Step 5: Log in to mySAIT.ca to check your admission status. Find out how to monitor your application status.

Failure to meet anticipated final grades for the admission pre-requisites will result in offers being rescinded.

Communication during admission

Email is the primary source of communication during the admission process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add hps.info@sait.ca and the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.

Paramedicine National Competency profile

Students are strongly encouraged to refer to the Paramedicine National Competency Profile and Alberta Health Services' F.A.R.E Paramedic requirements to ensure that they are able to successfully demonstrate the skills required to achieve all the competency-based objectives and bona fide occupational requirements for the program/profession.

Some examples include:

• lift a stretcher with 95.5 kg (210 lbs) patient with a partner from a lower level to the load position and back down
• lifting and carrying a long spine board with 95.5 kg (210 lbs) and ascend and descend 10 stairs with a partner
• push a stair chair 10 m with 95.5 kg (210 lbs) and ascend and descend 20 stairs with a partner
• able to lift a bilateral side carry of 9 kg (20 lbs) of weight in each hand
• able to front carry of 18 kg (40 lbs)
• able to repetitively kneel, crouch, bend, reach, carry, push and pull
• able to perform CPR for two mins.

Practicum requirements

The School of Health and Public Safety has many practica partners located within Alberta and across Canada. Practicum placements in Calgary are limited and students may be required to relocate outside of Calgary for practicum. Due to limited practicum spots for the paramedicine programs provincially, some of the practica may not end until August.

Successful candidates will be informed of the allocation of their practicum placement by the program. There is no guarantee that students will be placed at their desired practicum location. Special considerations of personal circumstances will not be given in regards to assigning practicum placements. Students will be responsible for fees associated with practica such as entrance requirements, relocation and travel costs. 

In compliance with the practica agreements with our clinical partners, successful candidates will be requested to provide proof of the following requirements:

• current Heart and Stroke Foundation BLS Provider course
• updated immunization records
• security clearance - Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Check
• N95 respiratory mask fitting
• health and wellness status

Please Note: If a practicum student cannot obtain a tight facial seal due to the presence of facial hair and has refused to shave for religious reasons, the PCP practicum student is considered unfit by AHS standards and will not be allowed on an ambulance practicum.

As practicum is an essential component to graduate from the program, the student will not be able to successfully complete the Primary Care Paramedic program.

Learn more

Courses

Program outline

Looking for course descriptions and requisites? Visit the course catalogue

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Progression

Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Transfer options

Once completed, this SAIT credential may be eligible for transfer credit at another post-secondary institution. Visit Transfer Options to learn more about the transfer agreements currently available to SAIT graduates and incoming students.

Have questions? Write to us at transfer.options@sait.ca.

Costs

2021/22 Domestic Tuition and Fees*

*Fees and tuition are based on a two-semester full course load structure. There may be additional fees for practicums and terms held outside this time frame. 

SAIT Fees

Campus athletic and recreation Fee: $183.20
Universal transit pass (UPass): $310 - Check eligibility here.
Student support fee: $150
Student technology fee: $150

Health and Dental Fees

Domestic Students 

• Health Plan: $122
• Dental Plan: $130
• For students with existing health and/or dental plans, please refer to the Saitsa website for information on opting out.

Books and supplies*

• Books and supplies cost approximately $1,900 for the program.
• For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a device that meets the standard hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
• There is a $75 CompTracker user fee per semester.
• Heart and Stroke BLS Provider Course.
• There is a fee for the Alberta College of Paramedics (ACP) provincial exam and an annual registration fee.  ACP annual registration fees are approximately $425 (initial registration fee is approximately $475).
• Students are responsible for any additional expenses related to their practica (i.e. relocation costs if placed outside of Calgary, food, housing, transportation, etc.). 
• There is a fee associated with obtaining a Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Check and is payable to the Police or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
• Students must have their immunizations reviewed by the SAIT Health Clinic. There is a $75 charge to review vaccine history. Any vaccines to be administered will result in additional charges.
• There is a fee, approximately $50-$100, associated with an Electronic Student Permit Checking submission which is required for clinical practicum placements, payable to Synergy Gateway through the Verified software platform. 

Find out about tuition and financial aid.

* Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.

Next steps for incoming students

Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.

Fall 2021

Orientation

We are expecting to meet you at new student orientation. Important program information is discussed to ensure you are prepared to begin classes which start on day one. Orientation is a mandatory part of your learning experience to ensure student success.

How to register for classes

You'll follow an open registration process to enrol in your classes. Learn how to register on our registration and schedules page.

Computers and laptops

This is a bring your own device program with a standard hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page. 

Required equipment/tools

You will be evaluated on your level of competency performance using a tracking system called CompTracker. You will require a wi-fi enabled Apple tablet with the ability to run the most up to date operating system to support the CompTracker system. Any size tablet is acceptable. Keyboards are advisable but not mandatory. Smartphones are not acceptable devices for CompTracker. There is a required user license fee billed on a per semester basis. Each program will have a different student fee depending on how the system is used within the program. More information will be shared at orientation.

Required personal protective equipment (PPE) and uniform

Uniforms and PPE are to be purchased prior to Orientation Day, and worn to Orientation.

Print and take the uniform order form to Trademark Workwear Inc. to order your SAIT uniforms. Refer to the form for details and ensure you order your uniform early. CSA approved safety glasses and CSA approved black steel-toed duty boots may be purchased where available.

Ballistic Vests:

Ballistic vests are not required by the SAIT PCP or ACP programs. Currently, many practitioners have the option of being issued a ballistic vest by their employer as PPE.  This is an employee decision if they want the ballistic vest or not.  As best practice for scene safety, police deem the situation safe before EMS crews enter, and students are not first into any situation where this type of PPE is required.  If a student wishes to purchase their own ballistic vest for use on practicum they can do so through the AHS approved vendor ( Urban Tactical, Winnipeg) who has the required minimum specifications for a ballistic vest. If a student decides to purchase and wear the vest, they must ensure that their SAIT crest and student identification are clearly visible on the vest without compromising the integrity of the vest. >

Please note: If a student has a ballistic vest from an employer, they are not allowed to wear that employer’s issue as part of the SAIT uniform.  If a student chooses to wear a ballistic vest during their program they must purchase a personal ballistic vest.  Ballistic vests are personally fitted, have a finite lifespan, and are not resalable as they do not provide the appropriate protection second hand. If a student chooses to wear a personal ballistic vest, they will be required to wear it for every call during their practicum rotations.

Other requirements

• Class 4 Driver's license is required for employment as a PCP or ACP. You will need to check with the Alberta government for requirements. 
• Heart and Stroke BLS Provider Course
• N95 Mask-fit testing
• Police Information Clearance (Criminal Records Check) with Vulnerable Sector Check
• Up to date immunizations record
• Health and Wellness Status

Preparation courses

Required textbooks

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.

Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck, no textbook purchase required this term.

Contact 

Phone: 403.284.8481
Email: hps.info@sait.ca

Next steps for all students

Here's what else you'll need to do to get ready!

Next steps for accepted students

Important dates and deadlines

Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.

Important Dates