jacki

Hi to all - this is my first posting on this website and I have just had a good read of all the threads & found out some great information. We are 3 months into the current waiting time of 36 months for our PR application and counting each day!!! - as I'm can see many of you are as well.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has any information about work as a Paramedic in Canada. I am currently working as a State Registered Paramedic here in the Uk and am looking at the different options I have of converting my qualification to a Canadian one. Ideally we would like to relocate to BC but they currently do not do a conversion exam for international qualifications so I am looking into the possibility of going to school for a year in BC to gain my Advanced Care Paramedic qualification. However, this has pro's & cons.... one of the biggest cons is the mucho $ this will cost. Also, the fact that we will then be one wage down for a year whilst I am studying.

My other option is for us to go to a different province and for me to take the conversion exam. We could either settle there or there is always the option that once I have a Canadian qualification in a different province then I could convert that to one for BC (bit of a long winded way around I know but we are looking at all options).

If anyone has any info that they could pass on I would be very grateful. I am aware that currently it would be difficult to secure work as a Paramedic in Vancouver itself but as far as I can see there are vacancies outside of the city in BC - also in other areas & provinces. I have a meeting set up with one of the Universities in Vancouver for the beginning of March so any information I could find out beforehand would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give.

Jacki

Rich_007

Jacki,

In BC a lot of medical work seems to be, initially at least, casual or part time, but if you persevere and remain more flexible about where you are prepared to move to, this should pay off for you. In the medical sector in BC, due to unionisation and regulatory/protectionist beaurocracy, you have to be prepared to jump hoops and hurdles and keep persevering, even when you think you are hitting brick walls. It's just the way it is. So keep the faith right to the end.

Depending on what you need from life and immediate surroundings, don't dismiss any of the smaller towns and cities in BC, each geographical area of the provice has some wonderful, positive characteristics, and lots to offer.

One problem, due to the massive size of BC, is that people arrive in Vancouver and don't get much time to get out and about to explore, maybe because they're overwhelmed by Vancouver itself, and if they do get away it's usually just to see one other area. So if you can invest any more time and money in wandering further afield, this may be money well spent, especially as real estate will be much cheaper outside of Vancouver.

Having said that Vancouver is an amazing place and has lots to offer, if you want big city and to avoid small town, even-more-laid-back BC lifestyle, closer access to the great outdoors, etc.

Other practical options are the Fraser Valley, the Interior (Kamloops, Okanagan etc), Kootenays region (Nelson is said to be one of the nicest small towns in Western Canada), then there is Vancouver Island, Prince Rupert, Dawson Creek etc all with different locations, lifestyles, values etc.

Good luck with your explorations,

Rich.

Biiiiink

Wasn't there one of those BBC2 "Get a New Life" programmes about a paramedic? It was a while ago so I may not have the details correct, but I think the guy failed to get a work permit in AB as a paramedic so had his job title rejigged to something like "disaster management specialist" and was successful and ended up working for a private ambulance company somewhere in/near Calgary. They rented in Bragg Creek, I remember seeing the exact house for sale on MLS later...

I don't think this guy did any conversion/retraining but obviously don't take my word for it. Might be worth looking in to AB if this is right though?

Best of luck

steve of 5-0

Hi, a post to help reassure continuing with your research into Paramedic career openings Canada.

I was in the 1990`s a Transport Manager in the UK National Blood Service and on occasion got involved with incidents where UK NHS Paramedics operated.

I can assure you that I have seen Canadian Paramedics in operation "at the roadside", your training in the UK is far superior to here.

Stick with it.

dingbat

While I agree about the training being better in the UK, he won't find work without Canadian acquired paramedic credentials - which are acquired at great cost. You also have no guarantee of work after you have shelled out a small fortune:

http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/bcas/bcasqual.html

Note the "BCAS gives preference to applicants with Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) qualifications." That's BC speak for "foreign training not accepted".

The Welshman

Hi Jacki,

Here are a few web sites that might be of use.

www.collegeofparamedics.org
www.emsvillage.com
www.paramedic.ca

I am looking into the EMT thing in Alberta.
It look like you have to pay for training and to be registered . It's not like the UKwhere you get paid to train .


TheWelshman A pint of Brains SA, works well

Rich_007

It's not like the UK where you get paid to train

> ah the distinctiveness of Canada.

Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated as will your $$$'s

Rich

jacki

Hi - thank you to everyone for your replies. Welshman - how far are you into the immigration process & how far have you got with looking in AB. I have the dates for the conversion exams @ Red Deer & am thinking that I may well just go and take the exam and send off some applications. At least if I found someone willing to employ me then it would speed up the visa process. They always seem to be hiring out at the oil fields & although this isnt my ideal type of job it pays well & would do for starters. Are you a Tech or Para?

Does anyone know anything about the University - Justice Institute of British Columbia in Vancouver as these are the people who I am meeting up with in March about their Advanced Care Paramedic Course. Is this a good institution? I know that one way of us getting out there sooner is for me to get a student visa and then my husband would get a work permit - and I believe that I could now get a work permit for another year after my course. We are a little cagy about doing it this way though because what if.....after all that........ we didnt get our PR visa! :scared: Has anyone else gone through this?

Again - thank you for any help you can give

Jacki

Rich_007

Jacki -

Someone recently advised me ref training and employers, to check with the actual recruiters that the course will be viewed upon favourably by the recruiter. This makes sense after all it is a lot of bucks we are talking about.

The way it works over here is that there are many organisations and bodies offering courses, but recognition is varied amongst employers, i.e. whether they are unionized, private, public sector, or less regulated, and it is therefore worth contacting someone who is in a more "neutral" position, to gain some insight and ensure your time and money is well spent.

I know this is a little bit more drawn out but it may save some more hassles.

Good luck,

Rich.

The Welshman

Hi Jacki

I used to be a Tech in the LAS, but left a few years back. So I will have to look into it all, if I would have to start again, retraining or ? This will closer to the time.
This is one of the options among others i am looking at, when we get over there.

TheWelshman A pint of Brains SA, works well