Primary Care Paramedic

The Role

Provides primary emergency medical care and drives ambulances.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Reports for work on time, in proper uniform, and fit for duty. Complies with policies, procedures, legislation, and regulations.


• Performs patient assessment and care, per basic life support patient care standards and advanced life support patient care standards. Administers medical interventions deemed necessary by Base Hospital and the Region.


• Operates ambulances and emergency response vehicles per legislation, policy, and weather and traffic conditions, to, from, and between treatment facilities. Restrains patients, staff, other passengers, equipment, and supplies as appropriate.


• Responds to calls. Maintains contact with central ambulance communications centre regarding the status, location, and movement of ambulances/emergency response vehicles. Complies with direction regarding vehicle movements. Notifies communications centre when vehicles are removed from service for repair/maintenance, or involved in an accident.


• Communicates with other staff, health care providers, emergency care providers, the public, and patients, in a professional and supportive manner.


• Provides detailed patient reports to medical staff upon arrival at hospitals. Prepares written/ electronic reports as required and in a timely manner (e.g., ambulance calls, incident/occurrences, personal injury/body fluids exposure, accidents, operational activity) and other related documentation. Separates, sorts, and distributes copies per policy and regulations.


• Attends mandatory, continuing medical education, and divisional training programs. Participates in public relations and quality assurance programs.


• Maintains vehicles and equipment so they are stocked, clean, sanitary, and mechanically safe, per standards. Reports deficiencies to on-duty supervisor, and assists to correct where qualified.


• Performs routine housekeeping, and checks, maintains, and stocks stations as required. Uses a p-card for vehicle fuel, fluids, and minor repairs when travelling outside Waterloo Region.


• Participates to train and acts as preceptor for co-op and paramedic students. 


• Performs related duties as assigned.   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must meet all current primary care certifications per the Ambulance Act.


• Must be certified with Base Hospital and maintain certification as outlined in the Maintenance of Certification Letter provided by CPER.


• Must have a valid Class F Ontario Driver’s License and acceptable driving record. 


• Successful completion of Paramedic Physical Abilities Test (OPPAT) or Medic Strong, Paramedic Functional Abilities Test (PFAT).   


• Knowledge of, competency, and ability to comply with basic life support and advanced life support standards, and policies, procedures, legislation, and regulations (e.g., highway traffic act).


• Ability to exercise judgement in stressful emergency situations while assessing patient needs, and make decisions dealing with sensitive and emotional issues impacting the safety and wellbeing of staff and the public, often with far-reaching consequences.


• Communication and human relations skills to readily develop rapport and provide medical information so that it is understandable to patients, their families/friends, and witnesses, who may be distressed, uncooperative, and/or physical; gather information to assess situations; provide detailed patient reports to medical staff; and participate as an effective team member.


• Ability to read and interpret legislation, periodicals, policies, procedures, policy manuals, and internal communications. Ability to read maps. Ability to write clear, concise, legible reports. 


• Ability to use a two-way radio. 


• Ability to adapt to changing emergency situations, priorities, and technologies.


• Ability to work rotating shifts in a 24/7 operation, including weekends and statutory holidays. Overtime due to early and late calls is often required and is mandatory in emergency situations.


• Must provide an acceptable Police Vulnerable Sector Check (level 3). 


• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.