Program Overview:

 In Foundations, we will introduce students to the Paramedic’s most fundamental roles and responsibilities to patient and to self as well as their ethical and legal obligations.

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Specific topics include EMS systems, roles & responsibilities, the well-being of the Paramedic, illness & injury prevention, medicolegal issues, ethical issues, human development, and patient communication

In Operations we will introduce students to industry standard operational procedures. The student will receive a generic representation of industry-accepted practices for safely operating an ambulance, managing mass casualty incidents, managing terrorist threats and attacks, participating in rescue operations, managing hazardous materials incidents, and working in and around crime scenes.

 

Specific topics include orientation to land ambulance and associated equipment, emergency vehicle operations, ambulance staffing and deployment models, medical incident command systems, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, general rescue scene procedures, hazardous materials incident response, and crime scene awareness.

In Therapeutics we will introduce students to patient treatment modalities. Students will learn about protocols and safe effective procedures for medication administration, intravenous initiation, and fluid therapy.

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Specific topics include drug approval process and regulation of pharmaceuticals in Canada, general properties and forms of medications, classes of medications, routes of medication administration, pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics, drugs affecting the various systems of the body, medication administration techniques, medication calculations, vitamins and minerals, antidotes and overdoses, fluids and electrolytes, IV fluid composition, IV techniques and fluid administration, IV fluid administration calculations, and complications in medication and IV fluid administration.

In Lab Theory, we will introduce students to the concepts practiced in the practical lab setting. This curriculum is designed to be supportive of the students’ lab sessions in that this class will introduce the week’s lab plan, expectations will be outlined and foundation knowledge regarding the week’s lab focus will be discussed.

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Specific topics include scene assessment, patient history taking, patient assessments, physical exams, clinical decision-making, communication and documentation, radio operations

In Medical I, we will present the student with specific information regarding the recognition and management of chronic and acute medical conditions with which they may be faced when responding to emergencies.

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Specific topics include overview of human body systems and anatomical positions, basic chemistry, cells and tissues, acid-base balance in the body, hypoperfusion, the body’s self-defense mechanisms, respiratory emergencies and focused respiratory assessments, respiratory pharmacology, cardiovascular emergencies and focused assessments, cardiovascular pharmacology, emergencies involving coronary artery disease (assessment and management), emergencies involving congestive heart failure (assessment and management), emergencies involving cardiac tamponade (assessment and management), emergencies involving cardiogenic shock (assessment and management), aortic emergencies (assessment and management), hypertensive emergencies (assessment and management), introduction to ECG monitoring, 3-lead ECG interpretation, cardiac arrest management, 12-lead ECG acquisition and interpretation, neurologic emergencies (assessment and management), endocrine emergencies (assessment and management), and allergic reactions (assessment and management).

PCP-117 Lab I is a practical, simulation-based course that combines pre-lab skill preparation with structured lab-based practice. The course is designed to help students progress from foundational knowledge and discrete skill acquisition to integrated patient- care performance in simulated emergency scenarios.

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The pre-lab component introduces students to essential paramedic skills, equipment, procedures, safety principles, and clinical decision-making expectations before students participate in hands-on lab sessions. This includes preparation for patient assessment, patient handling, airway and ventilation skills, suctioning, respiratory monitoring, ECG acquisition, medication preparation and administration, and other Term 1 practical competencies.

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The lab component allows students to practise, apply, and demonstrate Term 1 competencies through focused skill stations, integrated patient-care scenarios, facilitated case discussions, formative practical checkpoints, remediation, competency sign-off opportunities, and practical evaluation.

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Specific areas of focus include patient handling and movement, scene assessment, primary and secondary medical assessment, patient history, vital signs, focused respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological assessment, airway maneuvers, suctioning, airway adjuncts, oxygen delivery, ventilation support, capnography/ETCO2 monitoring where applicable, foreign body airway obstruction, CPR/AED, supraglottic airway use, cardiac arrest management, ECG acquisition, radio patch and verbal reporting, medication preparation and administration, allergy/anaphylaxis, hypoglycemia, overdose, altered level of consciousness, and patients requiring multiple interventions.​

This course introduces students to foundational airway, oxygenation, and ventilation concepts required for the assessment and management of patients experiencing traumatic and emergency presentations.

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The course focuses on the structure and function of the upper and lower airways, assessment of airway patency, recognition and management of airway obstruction, suctioning, basic and advanced airway adjuncts, supplemental oxygen therapy, oxygen delivery systems, manual ventilation, and introductory concepts related to mechanical ventilation. Students will also examine the indications, equipment, safety considerations, complications, reassessment priorities, and documentation expectations associated with airway and ventilation interventions.

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PCP-119 provides the theoretical foundation for airway and oxygenation skills that are practically reinforced and evaluated in the lab environment. Emphasis is placed on applying airway, oxygenation, and ventilation principles to patient-care scenarios, selecting appropriate interventions based on patient presentation, recognizing complications, and adjusting care as patient condition changes.

PCP-100 will provide the necessary tools and coaching to help OLS Academy graduates become more employable by industry. The students will receive coaching in the areas of driving, interviewing in front of a panel, licensing exam writing, and situational scenario testing.

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Specific topics include: CEVO – Emergency Vehicle Operations, research methods, Basic Life Support, Community Paramedicine, the hiring process, and licensing exam prep.

Special Considerations will present the student with specific information regarding the recognition and management of conditions related to or affected by patient circumstances such as age, body composition, abuse and neglect, etc.

 

Specific topics include neonatology, pediatrics, abuse and neglect, geriatrics, patients with special needs, and acute interventions for the chronic care patient.

As a continuation of the curriculum covered in PCP-114 Medical I, Medical II will present the student with specific information regarding the recognition and management of chronic and acute medical conditions with which they may be faced when responding to emergencies.

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Specific topics include gastrointestinal emergencies, renal and urologic emergencies, substance abuse and poisoning, hematologic emergencies, environmental emergencies, infectious and communicable diseases, behavioral emergencies, gynecologic emergencies, obstetric emergencies, assessment based management, and cardiac life support fundamentals

PCP-127 Lab II is a practical, simulation-based course that combines pre-lab skill preparation with structured lab-based practice. The course is designed to help students progress from foundational and Term 1 practical competency development to higher-complexity integrated patient-care performance in simulated emergency scenarios.

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The pre-lab component prepares students for hands-on participation by reinforcing relevant equipment, procedures, safety principles, patient-care priorities, clinical decision-making expectations, professional behaviours, and scenario-performance standards before students participate in structured lab sessions. This includes preparation for trauma assessment and management, gastrointestinal and genitourinary presentations, intravenous therapy, shock recognition, hemorrhage control, pediatric and neonatal care, obstetrical care, psychiatric presentations, soft tissue and burn injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, spinal motion restriction, extrication principles, patient-transfer equipment, ambulance-operation considerations, and other Term 2 practical competencies.

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The lab component allows students to practise, apply, and demonstrate Term 2 competencies through focused skill stations, integrated patient-care scenarios, facilitated case discussions, formative practical checkpoints, remediation, competency sign-off opportunities, and practical evaluation. PCP-127 Lab II functions as the primary practical application and evaluation course for the Term 2 lab competency set. Some knowledge and skills are introduced, reinforced, or supported in concurrent theory courses; however, students are evaluated on their ability to apply these competencies in the PCP-127 lab environment.

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Specific areas of focus include professional communication, active listening, non-verbal communication, empathy, compassion, emotional support, confidence, assertiveness, diplomacy, tact, discretion, conflict resolution, suspected abuse considerations, self-protection, hazardous-materials awareness, adverse environments, scene safety, rapid extrication principles, secondary trauma assessment, shock recognition, hemorrhage control, intravenous access and fluid administration, urinary catheter care, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, reproductive, toxicologic, immunologic, palliative, psychiatric, pediatric, neonatal, geriatric, bariatric, and special-population presentations, obstetrical emergencies and childbirth, pediatric and neonatal resuscitation, pediatric airway care, Neo-Mate and Pedi-Mate use, soft tissue injuries, wound care, burns, eye injuries, penetrating wounds, local cold injuries, head, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, spinal, and musculoskeletal injuries, fracture management, vehicle equipment, ambulance operation, air medical transport considerations, collaboration with health care professionals and emergency response agencies, and integrated multi-system simulated patient-care scenarios.

As a continuation of the curriculum covered in PCP-119 Trauma I, Trauma II will present the student with specific information regarding the assessment and management of traumatic injuries with which they may be faced when responding to emergencies.

 

Specific topics include trauma systems and mechanism of injury, bleeding and shock, soft tissue injuries, burns, head and face injuries, spinal injuries, thoracic injuries, abdominal and pelvic injuries, and musculoskeletal injuries.

The Clinical Practicum & Ambulance Preceptorship (Integrated) is the final applied component of the program, allowing students to consolidate and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours developed in Terms 1 and 2. Through supervised clinical and preceptorship experiences, students apply assessment, treatment, communication, and decision-making abilities in real patient encounters, progressing from supported practice to readiness for independent, entry-level performance.

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This practicum is delivered across three developmental phases, with student progression based on demonstrated competence, completion of required hours, attainment of competencies, and evaluation using the Comprehensive Competence Rubric.

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OLS Academy maintains learning agreements with Ambulance New Brunswick, Emergency Health Services Nova Scotia, Horizon Health Network, Vitalite Health Network, and Nova Scotia Health Authority. Placement availability varies by region, and students may be required to relocate to complete placements. Placement assignments are determined by the program and cannot be guaranteed based on personal preference or circumstances.

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Students are responsible for all associated course costs, including placement requirements, travel, and relocation.

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TRANSITIONAL CURRICULUM NOTE​

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This course reflects an updated delivery model that integrates the Clinical Practicum and Ambulance Preceptorship experiences into three progressive phases. These structural changes are designed to enhance learning continuity, provide clearer developmental expectations, and strengthen support for student progression.

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All learning outcomes, competency requirements, and scope-of-practice expectations for this cohort remain fully aligned with the National Occupational Competency Profile (NOCP), which represents the curriculum framework under which students have been instructed throughout Terms 1 and 2. The assessment tools used in this course (including the Comprehensive Competence Rubric) evaluate performance within the established NOCP expectations and are designed to ensure consistent, fair, and transparent evaluation of competence.

Appendix #4 is a guideline and outlines the illnesses, conditions and injuries of which basic knowledge is recommended in order for practitioners to achieve the competencies defined in Competency Area 4 of the National Occupational Competency Profile for a Primary Care Paramedic.

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Appendix #5 is a guideline which uses an “X” to indicate the groups of pharmacologic agents with which it is recommended that Primary, Advanced and Critical Care Paramedics be familiar.