Primary Care Paramedic Program
What is the Primary Care Paramedic Program?
The goal of the Primary Care Paramedic Program is to develop individuals into paramedics who possess sound knowledge and skills, an unwavering commitment to excellence in all that they do, and a deep sense of professionalism and caring. The program meets the competency requirements of the Nova Scotia Regulator of Paramedicine (NSRoP) and the Paramedic Association of New Brunswick (PANB); as well as the National Occupational Competency Profile, as established by the Paramedic Association of Canada, for Primary Care Paramedics. Graduates will not only be an asset to the profession of Paramedicine, but to the communities they serve as well.
The program is designed to provide the acquisition of concepts and theories, mastery of professional skills, and the attainment of a professional attitude.
One of the key objectives of the program is to instill a commitment to lifelong learning. Since the medical field is constantly changing and evolving, an emphasis is placed on the development of self-directed learning skills. In addition to supporting the development of self-directed learning techniques, faculty serves as both academic advisors and facilitators.
With the responsibilities of paramedics increasing, it is no longer acceptable to simply accumulate a set amount of knowledge and skills. Today’s students must be inquisitive and dedicated to continuously expanding their expertise and abilities.
The Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program is 50 weeks in length which includes 7 months of classroom/simulation training, as well as 4 months of clinical and practicum training. The total cost of the PCP program is approximately $21,000 which includes cost of books and uniforms as well training and resources for obtaining class 4 driver’s license.
The student will receive a diploma upon successful completion of all program requirements as outlined in policy.
Program Prerequisites
To apply as a general applicant to the Medavie HealthEd PCP program, a candidate must meet the following prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Successful completion of grade 12 (Diploma or GED) with:
- Math at the grade 11 or 12 university preparatory level and one science at the grade 11 or 12 university preparatory level (Biology, Chemistry or Physics).
- Grade 11 or 12 English university preparatory level.
- Be physically and mentally able to perform all required duties.
- Qualify for Class 4 driver’s license (please check with your provincial Department of Transportation or Motor Vehicles Branch for the jurisdiction where you reside) if you plan on applying for work as a PCP with an ambulance service.
- Be in good health with all appropriate immunizations as verified by a completed immunization record.
- Supply a current copy a driver’s abstract. To obtain a driver’s abstract you must contact the appropriate provincial Department of Transportation or Motor Vehicles Branch for the jurisdiction where you reside.
- Supply an acceptable Criminal Record Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). This can be obtained from the RCMP, local police detachment or some online agencies such as myBackCheck.com (please ensure you submit for both a CRC AND VSC).
*If English is not your first language you are required to demonstrate English proficiency, regardless of your country of origin or citizenship status.
Applicants may be exempt from language testing if they have successfully completed one of the following:
1. Completed a minimum of Grade 12 at an English high school and has completed a Grade 11 or 12 Academic English course.
2. Studied for a minimum one year at a post-secondary institution in the language of choice.
Medavie HealthEd requires a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 8 for English programming or an Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 8 for French programming. Applicants may provide current testing results from approved testing organizations such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test d’évaluation de français (TEF).
Resulting scores will be compared to the CLB/NCLC equivalency charts as prescribed by the Government of Canada (https://www.canada.ca).
For more pathways and detailed information please see our international students page under “language proficiency”.
Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) Program Application Process
Thank you for your interest in the Medavie HealthEd Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) Program!
Our admissions process has been designed to ensure applicants have the knowledge, skills, and professionalism required to succeed in the program. The process is completed in three phases, outlined below.
Phase One- Application & Initial Screening
Online Application
To begin your application, please submit the following:
• Complete the online application form.
• Submit the non-refundable application fee of $55.00.
* We’ve reduced the application fee to account for the addition of the Casper test.
Proof of High School Completion
Applicants must provide an official high school transcript (submitted electronically through the document submission form below).
Applicants must have successfully completed the following Grade 11 or Grade 12 academic courses:
• Academic English
• Academic Mathematics
• Academic Science (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
Casper Assessment
All applicants are required to complete Casper as part of their application for the 2026/27 admissions cycle. Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test that takes 65-85 minutes to complete.
Casper measures different personal and professional skills that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. It will complement the other tools we use for applicant review and evaluation, and we require Casper as part of our efforts to enhance fairness in our selection process.
CASPer test scores must be completed during the same application cycle in which you are submitting an application. That is, CASPer test scores are valid for one application cycle only. CASPer results from previous application cycles are not eligible for future application cycles.
More details on how to sign-up will be given to you once you submit an application.
Help with Casper
If you have any questions about what to expect you can also review their collection of Frequently Asked Questions.
Resume
Submit an up-to-date resume through the document submission form below.
Driver’s License
Submit a copy of your valid driver’s license through the document submission form below. Please note that in order to be considered for this program you must be eligible to obtain a class 4 license within the first six months of the program start.
English Language Proficiency
If English is your second language. You must meet our English Language proficiency standards to be considered for this program. Please see the “English Language Proficiency” tab for more details. (
Submit Your Supporting Documents
Once you have gathered your documents, please upload the following using our Application Document Submission Form:
- Official High School Transcript (Validation if required)
- Resume
- Driver’s License
- Have Casper results sent to us
- English Language Proficiency (If required)
Application Document Submission Form
Once all required Phase 1 documents have been received, your application will undergo an initial admissions review. Applicants who meet the admission requirements will be invited to proceed to Phase 2.
Phase Two- Interview & Assessment
Asynchronous Video Interview
Applicants selected to move forward will complete an asynchronous video interview.
These assessments evaluate communication skills, professionalism, critical thinking, and readiness for the PCP program.
Important: You will have one week to complete your online interview. If you do not complete it within the specified timeframe, you will not be considered for admission to that cohort.
Applicants who are successful in Phase 2 will receive a Conditional Offer of Admission.
Phase Three- Conditional Acceptance
Applicants who receive a Conditional Offer of Admission must submit the following documentation prior to beginning the program:
- Driver’s Abstract
- Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check (CRC/VSC)
- Certificate of successful completion The Paramedic Candidate – Pre-Enrolment Physicial Abilities Test (PC-PAT) from a qualified institution such as:
- Driver’s Medical Examination
- Class 4 Driver’s Licence Road Test Receipt
- MHE Immunization Form and Immunization Records
- Download the immunization form, click here.
- Completed MHE Medical Form
- Download the medical form, click here
- Learners are also required to purchase an iPad that has not been “jail broken”. Students must ensure that the iPad is supported by Apple for the duration of their program (According to Apple, iPads are supported for five years from their release date).
Additional information regarding submission deadlines and document requirements will be provided upon conditional acceptance.
We look forward to receiving your application and wish you the very best throughout the admissions process. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Admissions Team.
Entry to Practice Requirements NSRoP
For Nova Scotia applicants please refer to the Entry to Practice requirements as prescribed by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Paramedicine (NSRoP) that relates to your licensing abilities following graduation. It is important that you read and understand any limitations that may affect you directly and your ability to license. Entry to Practice Requirements NSRoP
Financial Assistance
For information on financial assistance, rebate programs, potential employment opportunities upon graduating, and other relevant information, please visit our helpful links page by clicking here.
Please click here for a list of scholarships and bursaries!
International Students
For information on how to apply as an international student , please go to our International Student page, here.
