I'm a little out of date with some of this stuff, but:
This is a little out of my scope of knowledge, but from where I sit, I get the very strong impression that Canadian standards (well, Alberta at least) are way higher than the US counterparts (and I mean this in no derogatory way at all).
(1) I don't think there's really much of a Canadian standard. The closest thing is probably the NOCPs here. (
http://www.paramedic.ca/Content.aspx?ContentID=4&ContentTypeID=2). The CCP scope definitely exceeds US NREMTP, but does the ACP?
(2) The AB scope looks impressive on paper:
http://collegeofparamedics.org/Content_Files/Files/aocp_emtP.pdf, but there's not a lot of people running around analysing A-lines, CVP lines, Swan-Ganz lines and monitoring balloon pumps. The provincial MCGs are good, but there's probably a lot of places in the states doing similar things
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/hp/if-hp-ems-mcp.pdf
(3) The AB EMT/PCP is 6 months. The Ontario PCP is 2 years. Both are Canadian Medical Association accredited as PCP programs. It's got to be virtually certain that ON produces better-trained PCPs.
I have a friend who got his Paramedic license in the states and wanted to practice here, but he cant get anywhere. At first I thought this was bureaucratic BS, until I realised that there is a significant difference between a 6 month "walk-in-a-newb / walk-out-a-paramedic" certification and:
* $2,000 140hr EMR (EMT-B), then
* have enough experience to apply for the 6 month, $8,000 EMT (EMT-I) course (average 6 applicants per spot at a good school)
* have enough experience to apply for the 2 year, full time $15,000 EMT-P course.
Those aren't even apples to oranges.
(1) There's EMT-P programs in the states that are 2 years. This isn't particularly special.
(2) $2,000 for an EMR program is outrageous.
(3) I have never heard of an EMT school requiring experience at the EMR level for acceptance, as there's basically nowhere that hires EMRs for 911 work.
(4) The EMT was 6 months back when it consisted of EMR + blood glucose, 3-lead ECG, IV lines and MAST. Now there's meds, D50W (been there for a while), ASA, NTG, epi, glucagon, etc. And BIADS (combitube / LMA / king). But the training hours haven't increased. It's probably a lot closer to the US NREMT-I scope now, but I wouldn't be too proud of it. I think Ontario does a way better job with BLS.
Wages also depend on location. Urban is lots of experience, but middling pay. Oilfield is EMS (Earning Money Sleeping) but the pay is fantastic. I've met paramedics doing oilfield that earn 200K a year. I hear stories of even more pay than that. A EMT-P working oilfield though must be incredible boring though - you're skilled up and yet do literally nothing. Like Chuck Norris working as a Walmart night watch guard.
(1) It used to be that the cities paid better than the surrounding services. I was under the impression that now the pay is pretty similar in different locations, as almost everyone's getting paid from the same contract. Perhaps I'm poorly informed.
(2) 200K for the oilfield? Based on a 240 day work-year, that's close to $850 / day. You might be right, but I'd be surprised. The numbers I've heard are closer to $500-$625 / day. Which is still around 120K, and a truckload of money. But it comes with being a long way from home, for a long time.
I'm not saying the AB system is bad. I actually think it's quite good. But the length of training basically hasn't been increased in 20 years, and the scope of practice, and general responsibilities have. I think if AB is to continue moving forwards, it needs to address some fundamental training issues -- this is probably true for EMS in general.
Not trying to start an argument, just stating an opinion
