DAWSON CREEK – Northern Lights College has partnered with the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) to offer the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program at the College’s Dawson Creek Campus.

The PCP program is the second level of paramedic training in British Columbia, and meets national occupational competency standards set out by the Paramedic Association of Canada. The program is accredited by the Canadian Medical Association.

The program operates on a distributed learning, part-time model that is comprised of three components: independent study online, which started in late March; a series of weekend workshops at NLC from May 25 to December; and three months of ambulance and in-hospital practicum starting in January 2013.

“The PCP program has a format that allows students to work and attend the program concurrently,” said Steven Mills, PCP Program Manager for the JIBC’s School of Health Sciences. “The program is intensive and utilizes a hands-on, applied, experiential learning model. It’s about enhancing health care in the north, and bringing new services and opportunities to our communities.”

Program components include intravenous therapy and other drug therapies, and a focus on cardiac, respiratory and trauma patients. The course will provide local ambulance personnel with a higher level of training and ability to treat patients.

The PCP program will complement the health care programs already offered in NLC’s Health Sciences Building – Health Care Assistant certificate, and Practical Nursing diploma. Both of those NLC programs are currently accepting applications for the next intakes starting in September.

Instructors for the program, Lana Wild and Debra Roberts, have a combined 25 years experience as paramedics. JIBC Regional Training Coordinator Greg Wright, with 35 years experience as a paramedic, oversees delivery of the program. As well, local BC Ambulance staff members will participate.