Program Overview

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Health Sciences (EMS) Diploma

The Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS) combines a strong academic foundation with paramedic training and positions graduates at the leading edge of emergency medicine.

Program Description

The program is designed for individuals new to paramedicine as well as working paramedics and paramedics looking to advance to the Advanced Care Paramedic level. Most students complete the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program component of the diploma first. The PCP courses are taken full-time over eight months at one of four JIBC campuses in BC. In the PCP program, emergency medicine skills are mastered through independent study, hands-on practice, and ambulance and hospital placements.

After PCP program completion, students are encouraged to become licensed at the PCP level and work as paramedics while finishing the remaining online courses in the diploma. These remaining courses help students expand their career options. Topics addressed include anatomy and physiology, disease pathophysiology, research methods, and conflict resolution. These courses are delivered fully online and can be taken part-time or full-time.

Program Strengths

• Delivered fully online in a structured weekly format
• Facilitated by instructors who are experts in their respective fields
• Available for full-time or part-time study
• Fully asynchronous and do not require participation in synchronized classroom activities
• Standardized first and second year post-secondary courses are transferable to institutions like TRU
• Bachelor of Health Science Open Learning degree at Thompson River University (TRU)
• Apply towards the entrance requirements for the JIBC Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) program and EMALB continuing education credits

What You Will Learn

• The functioning of the human body as a coordinated, homeostatic, reproducing organism
• The causes, manifestations, diagnoses, and treatments of anatomical and physiological disorders and diseases
• The key principles of pharmacology, including the characteristics and use of drugs used for various body systems and common medication profiles
• Effective and critical communication comprehension strategies
• Classical and contemporary ethical theories and decision-making frameworks
• The tools, strengths, and limitations of social science research and methodological approaches
• Master dispute resolution skills, develop the ability to use these skills and processes contextually and to adapt them as needed to different circumstances
• The fundamental tools for communicating effectively at an academic level
• The strategies and techniques used for evidence-based practice
• How to explore a topic related to current processes, systems, and practices in the field of emergency medicine

Program Details

What You Need to Graduate

• The online portion of the diploma program can be completed in as little as one year and has a 7-year completion deadline from the semester when a student is accepted into the diploma program
• Students must complete or receive recognition of prior learning for the following:
  • Academic component – 30 credits (All 11 academic courses)
  • PCP component – 30 credits

Program Format and Upcoming Courses

• The PCP portion of the program is delivered online and in-person at a JIBC campus location
• The EMS Diploma courses are offered fully online and scheduled regularly throughout the year following the JIBC semester-based academic calendar
• HLSC-2299 Capstone Project is designed as the final course in the EMS Diploma program
• All other courses in the diploma program are prerequisites for HLSC-2299, and need to be completed before a student is able to register for the Capstone Project

Admission Requirements

• Current EMR Certification (PCP, ACP and CCP Practitioners must provide proof of completion of the higher level of certification to be exempt from this requirement)
• High school graduation diploma (or equivalent) or mature student status as defined in JIBC’s Admissions Policy
• Grade 11 Mathematics with a minimum grade of C (60%)
• Grade 12 English / grade 12 First Peoples English with a minimum grade of C (60%)
• Life Sciences 11/ Biology 11 (or equivalent) with a minimum grade of C+ (67%)

Tuition & Fees

Tuition

• Total tuition for EMS Diploma includes the Academic Foundational Component courses
• Academic Foundational Component can be completed in a minimum of four semesters at the cost of approximately $6,940*
• For PCP tuition cost, see program webpage PCP webpage

Additional Fees

• Additional costs include JIBC learner Service Fee (per course), applicable tax, course textbooks, and program application fees

Textbooks & Supplies

• The following textbooks are required for the academic health sciences courses:
  • HLSC-2215 (Pharmacology)
  • BIOL-2203 (Anatomy & Physiology)
  • HLSC-2214 (Pathophysiology)
  • HLSC-2216 (Professional Practice: Evidence-based Practice)
  • HLSC-2299 (EMS-Diploma Capstone Project)

How to Apply

STEP ONE - Apply to the Program

• Applying to EMS Diploma does not grant a student a seat in the PCP program
• Applicants who do not have PCP (or higher equivalent) certification, must submit a separate application to JIBC’s PCP program
• To apply to the Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS) program:
  • Complete the JIBC Online Program Application Form through Education Planner BC
  • There is an application fee of $75 dollars

STEP TWO - Submit Supporting Documents

• Submit your supporting documents to Admissions by email, mail or in person
• Email
• In-Person or by Mail
  • Admissions Office
  • Justice Institute of British Columbia
  • 715 McBride Boulevard
  • New Westminster, BC V3L 5T4

Recognition of Prior Learning

• Students can apply for transfer credit or prior learning assessment once they have been formally accepted into the program
• Students may be eligible for transfer credit or prior learning assessment towards the PCP portion of the Diploma of Health Sciences (EMS) if they have completed an accredited (through Accreditation Canada) PCP (or higher level) certification
• Students may be eligible for transfer credit or prior learning assessment if they have completed academic (liberal studies or health science) courses similar to ours at other post-secondary institutions

FAQs

Q: What is the Diploma in Health Science about?

A: The Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS) combines JIBC’s highly respected Primary Care Paramedic program with practical and relevant academic coursework.

Q: What are the benefits of the program?

A: The combination of a strong academic foundation with paramedic training positions our graduates at the leading edge of emergency medicine.

Q: Who should take this program?

A: The program is designed for students new to the healthcare field as well as working paramedics.

Q: Do I have to apply for the Primary Care Paramedic Programs to enroll in the DIPLOMA IN HEALTH SCIENCES (EMS) Program?

A: Most students complete the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program first. It is recommended that students apply for and be accepted into the PCP program before applying to the diploma. PCP program courses are prerequisites for some diploma courses. Applicants who have already completed a PCP program can apply for credit towards the qualification.

Q: I would like to complete the EMS diploma program to gain the admissions entrances requirements to the JIBC-ACP program, I am a licensed PCP level paramedic but I completed my PCP training at a non-accredited institution. how do I apply for credit for my previous learning and experience?

A: A student would need to go through a prior learning assessment (PLA) challenge exam process to demonstrate they have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and professional competencies that students learn in the JIBC Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) curriculum.

Q: Is there a process for students who completed a non-accredited PCP PROGRAM to complete the EMS diploma program courses without going through the prior learning assessment (PLA) process for the full PCP program?

A: The ACP program currently accepts non-accredited PCP program completion as part of their program admission entrance requirement. We understand that completing the PLA process for the full 30 credit PCP program may be cost prohibitive for some students and have an alternative process for their consideration.

Q: What is the distinction between biology 11 and biology 12/anatomy and physiology 12 or para-1100?

A: Biology 12, PARA-1100, and/or JIBC PCP program graduation are not equivalent to Life Sciences 11 nor Biology 11.

Q: Why study Health Sciences?

A: Emergency medicine professionals are in demand with graduates working as emergency medicine practitioners in industry, 911 responders, flight paramedics, supervisors, or pursuing further paramedic education.

Q: What do I have to do to go onto receiving a bachelor’s degree in Health Science?

A: Graduates can continue on a pathway to their bachelor’s degree. Students who complete the PCP program and the Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS) at JIBC can transfer 57 credits towards a 120 credit Bachelor of Health Science degree from Thompson Rivers University (TRU).

Q: What can a degree in health sciences do for me?

A: A degree in health sciences can open up additional career opportunities such as management and teaching positions in occupational safety, the ambulance service, or post-secondary schools.

Q: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM?

A: Students can complete the academic portion of the program in as little as one year by taking a full-time course load. Most students complete the program in 3-4 years after completing PCP, taking part-time courses while working as paramedics.

Courses in This Program

• ENGL-1100 Academic Writing
• RESM-2100 Research Methods
• PSYC-1100 Introduction to Psychology
• STAT-1100 Statistics
• ETHS-1100 Applied Ethics
• CRES-1150 Theoretical Foundations of Dispute Resolution*
• HLSC-2299 Capstone Project
• HLSC-2214 Pathophysiology
• HLSC- 2215 Pharmacology
• HLSC-2216 Professional Practice: Evidence-based Practice
• BIOL-2203 Human Anatomy & Physiology