Just to get this straight: I read a lot of differing numbers about the length of the EMT-B training. Does this vary from city to city? Or is there a general period?
Initially I intended to do the school and after graduating look for a job in the cgi indusrty. If I didn't find one in time I thought about starting the EMT-B training and while training continue looking for my desired job.
Canada is not the US, so no EMT-B, EMT-P etc except in Alberta. They have a system that makes sense, and although there is a little provincial variation in scopes of practice and education it follows this concept:
They have something called the NOCP- National Occupational Competency Profile which lists the core skills that each level will have; a generic scope of practice basically. Look at it here
http://www.paramedic.ca/Uploads/Appendix 5 Medications.pdf
The biggest difference in Canada is the level of knowledge and education is way in advance of the American system and these guys are generally extremely well educated. If you take a PCP from Ontario with two years of schooling he will know a whole hell of a lot more than the American system has led us to believe is necessary to dish out the medications he carries.
While I understand there is a some skermish-ing and variation between provinces, generally I am very impressed with the Canadian system eh! Dang them super efficent smartly Canuckistanadians!
Primary Care Paramedic
As the name suggest, this is the prime level which includes the skills that all ambo's have. In Alberta this is called "Emergency Medical Technician"
To contrast; in BC they can start IVs whereas in Novia Scotia they cannot, in Alberta the education lasts a number of months, in Ontario it is two years.
NOCP medications at this level are: naloxone, adrenaline, enotnox, GTN, aspirin, salbutamol, glucagon
Advanced Care Paramedic
This is advanced life support, what we call Intensive Care Paramedic and is known as EMT-Paramedic in the US. In Alberta this is called "Emergency Medical Technologist - Paramedic".
To contrast; in Alberta the course is two years, in Ontario it's one.
All ACP programs must be accredited by the Canadian Medical Association.
Critical Care Paramedic
These guys are I believe, generally found on the helicopters and one or two ground trucks like in Toronto. They do proper critical care, people on lots of meds and pumps and rapid sequence intubation (although I believe ACPs can do RSI in some areas).
For you the biggest problem will be visas and education; whether your visa will allow you to study and obtain a Class 4 (or Class F in Ontario) DL to drive the ambulance.
Can you not get trained up in Austria? What does ambo training in Austria look like?
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