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