Paramedics
(NOC 3234)
in All HealthParamedics provide pre-hospital emergency medical care to patients and transport them to hospitals or other medical facilities for further medical attention. They work for private ambulance services, hospitals, fire departments, government departments and agencies, manufacturing firms, mining companies and other private sector businesses. Paramedics who are supervisors are included in this group. A Paramedic Level I may work as part of a ground ambulance crew, emergency department triage, or dispatch communications. A Paramedic Level III may work as part of a ground ambulance crew, dispatch communications, emergency department paramedic, or flight crew. A basic life support (BLS) crew consists of two Paramedic Level I's, while an advanced life support (ALS) crew must have at least one Paramedic Level III.
Job Outlook
Good
Read more
Compared to: All Health
There is a growing need for emergency medical services in the province, in part due to the aging population. The majority of newly-trained paramedics, or those relocating to the province, are placed in communities around the province, as filling positions in these areas has been difficult in the past due to a limited labour pool. The job market in Halifax and surrounding areas is more competitive, and these positions are often rewarded to experienced paramedics already employed with Emergency Health Services. Wage competitiveness with other jurisdictions is becoming a growing issue for retention. Current recruitment efforts include looking outside the province for trained paramedics.
Hourly Pay
$23.00
Minimum$30.00
Median$38.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$20,582
Minimum$66,980
Median$92,591
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.70
Minimum$26.60
Median$43.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Paramedics provide pre-hospital emergency medical care to patients and transport them to hospitals or other medical facilities for further medical attention. They work for private ambulance services, hospitals, fire departments, government departments and agencies, manufacturing firms, mining companies and other private sector businesses. Paramedics who are supervisors are included in this group.
A Paramedic Level I may work as part of a ground ambulance crew, emergency department triage, or dispatch communications. A Paramedic Level III may work as part of a ground ambulance crew, dispatch communications, emergency department paramedic, or flight crew. A basic life support (BLS) crew consists of two Paramedic Level I's, while an advanced life support (ALS) crew must have at least one Paramedic Level III.
Job duties
Workers in this group:
- Assess extent of injuries or medical illnesses of trauma victims, patients with respiratory disease and stress, overdose and poisoning victims, industrial accident victims and other ill or injured individuals to determine emergency medical treatment.
- Administer pre-hospital emergency care to patients like oxygen therapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), spinal immobilization, bandaging and splinting.
- Establish and maintain intravenous treatment (IV), apply adjunctive equipment for ventilation and circulation complications, administer medications and provide other advanced emergency treatment to patients.
- Transport patients by air, land or water to hospital or other medical facility for further medical care.
- Work with ambulance dispatch centres, hospital staff, police, firefighters, and family members to make sure relevant information is collected and proper treatment is administered.
- Document and record nature of injuries and illnesses and treatment provided.
- Help hospital personnel with medical treatment if necessary.
- Maintain ambulances and emergency care equipment and supplies.
- May train and supervise other workers in this group.
- May help triage emergency patients.
Sample job titles
- advanced emergency medical assistant
- ambulance attendant
- emergency medical assistant
- emergency medical attendant (EMA)
- emergency medical technician - paramedic/advanced care paramedic (EMT - P/ACP)
- emergency medical technician - primary care paramedic (EMT - PCP)
- emergency medical technician (EMT)
- emergency medical technologist - paramedic (EMT-P)
- medical technician
- paramedic
Skills
- Paramedics work in a physically demanding environment and must maintain a high level of strength and fitness. Paramedics are often involved in highly stressful situations that require the ability to make accurate, rapid decisions that can greatly affect the health of a patient. Effective communication skills are essential as the paramedic must routinely interact with patients, family members, health care providers, and other emergency services including fire and police agencies.
Job requirements
- A one- to three-year college, hospital-based or other recognized paramedical or emergency medical technology program is required.
- To work as a Paramedic in Nova Scotia you must complete a recognized program in emergency medical technology along with supervised practical training.
- Licensing by a regulatory body is required in Nova Scotia.
- Those operating emergency vehicles require an appropriate class of licence.
Other considerations
- People in these jobs are usually required to work irregular hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$67,787 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$70,711 median annual incomeCape Breton
$66,916 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$71,698 median annual incomeSouthern
$64,397 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Public administration
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Finance and insurance
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
25-34
45-54
15-24
55-64
65+
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$66,454 median annual incomeBachelor
$71,435 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$66,122 median annual incomeDiploma Below Bachelor
$77,266 median annual incomeHigh school
$69,235 median annual incomeCompared to: All Health
College Diploma
$40,033 median annual incomeBachelor
$61,668 median annual incomeMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$81,191 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,829 median annual incomeMaster
$69,296 median annual incomeEducation & training
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Paramedic)
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students, under the remote supervision of physicians, to recognize, assess, and manage medical emergencies in prehospital settings and to supervise ambulance personnel. They include courses in basic, intermediate, and advanced EMT procedures, emergency surgical procedures, medical triage, rescue operations, crisis scene management and personnel supervision, equipment operation and maintenance, patient stabilization, monitoring, and care, drug administration, identification and preliminary diagnosis of diseases and injuries, communication and computer operations, basic anatomy, physiology, pathology, and toxicology, and professional standards and regulations.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.