Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP)

Advanced Care Paramedics (ACPs) provide advanced life support care to residents in BC. In addition to the educational foundations achieved at the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) level of practice, ACPs have completed an additional 18-24 months of training at an accredited post-secondary institution.

ACPs provide clinical leadership on complex calls and maintain a progressive scope of practice to manage critically injured patients and reduce mortality. In addition to advanced pharmacology, ACPs possess a comprehensive skillset that allows them to begin emergency medical management in the field before the patient arrives at an Emergency Department.

Advanced Care Paramedics possess a technical skillset of advanced procedures that enable them to effectively manage critically unstable patients and conditions such as:

    • Advanced cardiac monitoring and interventions, such as myocardial infarction (STEMI) recognition and arrhythmia treatment
    • Respiratory assessment and treatments, such as medication administration, endotracheal intubation and in specific circumstances-cricothyrotomy
    • Advanced trauma management, including needle decompression and IO administration.
    • Pediatric and neonatal assessment, treatment and interventions
    • Advanced Cardiac Arrest Management with treatments for reversible causes