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How to become a paramedic in BC

Primary Care Paramedic (PCP / BCEHS Ambulance Paramedic) ยท British Columbia

Treat sick and injured people in an ambulance. You need a paramedic course, hospital practice and a licence.

How long
8 to 17 Months (Diploma + Preceptorship)
Cost
Not published
Who licenses it
EMALB

THE ROUTE

The route at a glance

STEP 1

EMR, Class 4 Licence & Biology 12 Prerequisites

EMR certificate, Class 4 licence & shots

STEP 2

JIBC Primary Care Paramedic Diploma

Complete accredited 8โ€“12 month PCP diploma

STEP 3

Hospital Clinical & BCEHS Ambulance Preceptorship

Hospital clinicals + 200 hrs ambulance time

STEP 4

EMALB Provincial Paramedic Board Examinations

Pass EMALB written exam & practical OSCE

JOB

BCEHS Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) Career

Obtain EMALB licence & serve as paramedic

This is the overview. For the courses to take, the entry rules, the exams and the schools, open the full route.

See the full route, step by step โ†’

THE JOB

What the job is like

Pay and outlook from WorkBC.

Pay
$25.00 โ€“ $46.00 / hr$34 median
Job outlook
1,910 forecasted job openings (2025โ€“2035) ยท 2025โ€“2035
Where the work is
Mainland/Southwest, Vancouver Island/Coast, Thompson-Okanagan
What a day looks like

Work takes place in ambulance patient compartments, highways, urban residences, and emergency department bays.

Watch out for

Be mindful of high-speed emergency vehicle driving, violent scenes, communicable diseases, and traumatic stress and follow all required safety procedures.

Where it can lead

Complete two-year ACP diploma to deliver advanced cardiac life support, intubation, and intensive care medications.

Provide air ambulance medical transport aboard helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft across British Columbia.

JOBS

Find jobs

Live postings on the big job boards, searched for this job in British Columbia.