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Scope of Practice

What do paramedics do?

Paramedics in Prince Edward Island are highly trained health care professionals who specialize in pre-hospital emergency medical care. All paramedics in PEI must have successfully completed a Primary Care Paramedicine (PCP) diploma program, and if they so choose may continue their education in Advanced Care Paramedicine (ACP), and/ or receive a Bachelors of Science in Paramedicine (BScP). Previously paramedics could train as Intermediate Care Paramedics (ICP) and while some still practice that skill-set, training and registration is being phased out.

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Some paramedics in PEI practice with additional responsibilities or in roles or environments external to traditional ground ambulance. For more information see our Special Projects page.

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All Island paramedics must be licensed by the Emergency Medical Services Board of Health PEI and practice within the provisions made in the Emergency Medical Technicians Act and Regulations.

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Listed below are the designations that paramedics in PEI can attain and their scope of practice as per the EMT Act and Regulations.

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Disclaimer: The outline of paramedic scope of practice below is for informational purposes only and not to be used as a clinical reference.

 

Primary Care Paramedic (PCP)

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- Glucagon

- Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)

- Naloxone (Narcan)

- Nitroglycerin

- Salbutamol (Ventolin)

- Tetracaine

Primary Care Paramedics are health-care professionals who practice in the pre-hospital setting, are responsible for management of emergency scenes and patient care, and are proficient in:

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Patient assessment and diagnostics such as conducting triage; obtaining past medical history; conducting a complete physical and ongoing assessment; assessing vital signs; and the interpretation of diagnostic tests such as pulse oximetry, glucometry, and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).

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Therapeutics such as airway management; oxygen delivery; manual and continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPAP); intravenous (IV) catheter insertion; fluid and medication administration; cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and semi-automatic defibrillation; caring for soft tissue injuries; and immobilizing fractures.

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Primary Care Paramedics can administer the following medications:

- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

- Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA)

- Dextrose (D5W, D50W)

- Dimenhydranate (Gravol)

- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

- Epinephrine

- Ketorolac (Toradol)

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Intermediate Care Paramedic (ICP)

Responsible for the above skills and interventions including advanced airway management; advanced cardiac life-support (ACLS); and pharmacological pain management and sedation.

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Intermediate Care Paramedics can administer the above medications including:

- Amiodarone

- Atropine

- Sodium bicarbonate

- Diazepam (Valium)

- Fentanyl

- Heparin

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- Ketorolac (Toradol)

- Lidocaine

- Midazolam (Versed)

- Morphine

- Oxytocin

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Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP)

Responsible for the above skills and interventions including surgical and percutaneous cricothyroidotomy; mechanical ventilation; intraosseous (IO) needle insertion; maintenance of a central line; administration of blood products; manual defibrillation; cardioversion; transcutaneous pacing; needle thoracostomy; maintenance of transvenous pacing and chest tubes; and fracture and dislocation reduction.

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Advanced Care Paramedics can administer the above medications including:

- Adenosine

- Atropine

- Dopamine

- Furosemide (Lasix)

- Magnesium sulfate

- Metoclopramide

In special circumstances such as during interfacility transport or on the order of a physician additional responsibilities may be necessary. This includes the administration of a number of medications and drug classes, including but not limited to:

- Antibiotics

- Anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors

- Antidysrhythmics

- Antihypertensives

- Corticosteroids

- Insulin

- Ketamine

Additional Responsibilities

- Haloperidol (Haldol)

- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

-Methoprimeprazine (Nozinan)

- Scopolamine

- Tranexamic Acid (TXA)

- Paralytics

- Propofol

- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI)

- Potassium chloride

- Sandostatin

- Tenecteplase (TNK)

- Vasoconstrictors

Updated: April 1 2018

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