Become a Paramedic People Trust Their Lives With
480 hours of hands-on training, 3x more than any comparable program.
Burlington and Barrie campuses. Three intakes per year.
480
Hours of hands-on practical lab training
92%
AEMCA certification pass rate based on February 2026 results
90%+
Graduates are hired within the first 6 months
16
Of our 49 instructors are Oxford PCP alumni
Program Overview
Paramedics are the people we call when everything goes wrong. They assess, stabilize, and transport patients under pressure, often making critical decisions in seconds. It is one of the most demanding careers in healthcare, and one of the most rewarding.
Oxford College’s Primary Care Paramedic program gives you the clinical depth and hands-on experience to be ready for that responsibility from day one on the job. With 480 hours of practical lab training across 16 months, 3 times more than comparable programs, you will graduate with skills your employer can see and trust.
Our graduates get hired. Over 90% are employed as paramedics within the first 6 months of completing the program, at services including Toronto, Peel Regional, Hamilton, York Region, Halton Region, and Guelph-Wellington.
Important:
This is a full-time, in-person program.
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. 16 months.
No online or part-time option is available.
See what training looks like inside Oxford College’s paramedic program.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for the Primary Care Paramedic program, applicants must meet one of the following:
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
AND
Sr. Biology, Sr. Chemistry, Grade 12 Math
OR
Mature Student Status with Wonderlic assessment
OR
Completion of the Oxford PCP Preparatory Course
Not sure if you qualify? Contact our admissions team. We will walk you through your options at no obligation.
Invaluable Primary Care Paramedic Skills
The Primary Care Paramedic program at Oxford College trains you to handle the full scope of pre-hospital emergency care. By the time you graduate, you will be prepared to:
- Assess injuries and medical conditions on scene, from trauma victims to cardiac and respiratory emergencies, and determine the appropriate course of treatment
- Administer pre-hospital care including oxygen therapy, CPR, spinal immobilization, medication administration, bandaging, and splinting
- Operate adjunctive equipment for ventilation and circulation complications under real emergency conditions
- Transport patients safely and efficiently while maintaining continuous care
- Coordinate with dispatch centres, hospital staff, police, and fire services to ensure accurate information and proper handover
- Document patient assessments, treatments, and outcomes accurately and completely
- Maintain ambulances and emergency care equipment to operational standards
These skills are built through 480 hours of hands-on practical lab training, clinical placements with hospital and paramedic services, and instruction from professionals who have worked the role themselves.
Program Details
| Duration | 16 months |
| Schedule | Monday to Friday |
| Campuses | Burlington and Barrie |
| Intakes | January, May, and September (3 per year) |
| Credential | Diploma, eligible for AEMCA (Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant) certification through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care |
| Accreditation | Approved by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Private Career Colleges |
| Tuition | $28950 for the full program. Financial aid options available. |
What You Will Learn: Semester by Semester
| SEMESTER | FOCUS AREA |
| Semester 1 | Anatomy, physiology, patient assessment basics, pathophysiology. |
| Foundations: | 120 hours of lab training |
| Semester 2 | Pharmacology, advanced patient care, legal and ethical frameworks. |
| Core Skills: | Driver Training and immersive hiring/interview preparation |
| Semester 3 | Hospital clinical placements. Emergency scenario simulations. |
| Advanced Practice: | 16 hours/week of practical lab |
| Semester 4 | Ride-outs and ambulance clinical placements. Comprehensive review. |
| Consolidation: | AEMCA exam preparation |
How Oxford Compares
| DIMENSION | Oxford College | Leading Public Colleges | Other Private Colleges |
| Practical lab hours | 480 hours (8 to 16 hrs/week) | ~400 hours (5 to 6 hrs/week) | Varies, generally 4 to 8 hrs/week |
| AEMCA certification pass rate | 92% (February 2026 results) | Not published | Not published |
| Time to career | 16 months | 24 months (2 years) | 12 to 16 months |
| Job placement | 90%+ within first 6 months | Not published | Not published |
| Intakes per year | 3 (Jan, May, Sept) | 1 (September only) | 1 to 2 |
Train Using a Fully Equipped Ambulance
Oxford’s Primary Care Paramedic program gives you access to a fully outfitted ambulance for training purposes, the same equipment you will use on the job from your first shift.
Across 16 months, you will complete 480 hours of hands-on practical lab training, 8 to 16 hours of hands-on work per week, every week. That is 3 times more practical training than any other paramedic program in Ontario, including public colleges.
By the time you graduate, the equipment is familiar. The procedures are second nature. That confidence is visible to your employer, your crew, and your patients.
Get Certified And Become More Employable
The clinical component of Oxford College’s Primary Care Paramedic program is regulated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The full curriculum follows the scope of practice guidelines for Primary Care Paramedics and is designed to prepare you for the Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant (AEMCA) certification examination.
Oxford College achieved an AEMCA pass rate of 92% as on February 2026 results.
Earning your AEMCA certification demonstrates to employers that you meet the Ministry’s professional standards and that you are ready to work. It is the benchmark credential for paramedic employment in Ontario, and Oxford College’s track record shows that our graduates are prepared to earn it.
Where Our Graduates Work
Oxford College’s Primary Care Paramedic graduates are working at some of the most respected paramedic services in Ontario. Employers who have hired our graduates include:
TORONTO Paramedic Services
Peel Regional Paramedic Services
Hamilton Paramedic Service
York Region Paramedic Services
Halton Region Paramedic Services
Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service
Over 90% of our graduates are employed as paramedics within the first 6 months of completing the program.
Paramedics in Ontario earn a median hourly wage of up to $50.81/hour.
Beyond frontline paramedic work, the PCP diploma can open doors to:
Patient transfer services
Private events and industrial medical coverage
Emergency Medical Services management
Pathways into nursing, health information technology, and further advanced care training
Testimonial
“I spent 11 years in logistics. Good job, decent pay but I knew it wasn’t where I was supposed to be. I looked at a few programs before Oxford College.
By Semester 3 I was running simulations I didn’t think I’d be ready for.
I was hired by Peel Regional four months after graduating.
If you’re serious about this career, I’d advise you to choose Oxford college, don’t look for the easier version of the program.”
Marcus T.
Former Warehouse Supervisor
Now: Peel Regional Paramedic Services
Message from the Director of Paramedicine
Meaghan Maddigan,
R.Kin, MSc, AEMCA (ACP)
The Primary Care Paramedic Program at Oxford College is designed to prepare you for one of very few professions in the world where, in a life-threatening moment, a parent will hand their child over to you, a total stranger, without question and with total trust.
It is not easy. Because if it was, everyone would do it. It is the hard that makes it great.
I encourage you to learn more about our Primary Care Paramedic Program and discover what makes Oxford College a unique learning experience. Our instructors and staff are here to help make you the best paramedic you can be.
Passionate Instructors. Quality Education.
Oxford College is proud of its highly skilled and experienced paramedic instructors. Each one is passionate about delivering quality education and dedicated to helping you build the skills and confidence you need to succeed in the field.
16 of our 49 PCP instructors are Oxford College’s PCP program alumni who went on to work as professional paramedics and came back to teach. They know the AEMCA exam. They know the hiring process. They know what it takes to perform under pressure on day one, because they have done it.
When you train with Oxford instructors, you are learning from people who have worked the same role you are preparing for.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Oxford College believes that finances should not be a barrier to career training. A range of funding options are available to help make the program accessible.
Ian Campbell Memorial Scholarship
Ian Campbell was a student in our Primary Care Paramedic program who passed away in a tragic accident on March 20, 2006. The Ian Campbell Memorial Scholarship Award was created in his memory to recognize a hard-working Oxford PCP graduate who demonstrates the same character and commitment Ian brought to everything he did. The award is up to $20,000 per year and is open to recent Oxford PCP graduates.
Second Career
If you are an unemployed or laid-off worker looking to retrain for a new career, Second Career funding through the Ontario government may cover up to $28,000 of your training costs. Our admissions team can help you determine eligibility.
OSAP
The Ontario Student Assistance Program provides grants and loans to eligible Ontario students. Many Oxford PCP students use OSAP to fund part or all of their tuition.
Flexible payment plans
Oxford offers structured monthly payment plans that can be arranged during and after the program. Sit down with a Financial Aid Advisor at no obligation. They will review your situation and build a funding plan that works for you.
Why Choose Oxford College?
Career-Focused Education
All of the diploma programs are designed for long-term careers in high-growth industries, offering you a superior fast-track education.
Expert Instructors
Our faculty consists of experienced and well-trained staff, who will give you industry-relevant knowledge along with your career training
Modern Facilities
The state-of-the-art classrooms and labs are compliant with industry standards and allow for an emphasis on practical training
Easy Campus Access
All our six campuses are located along transit hubs making travel easy and conveniences accessible.
Flexible Start Dates
Flexible program start dates allow you to plan and begin your new career training at any time
Financial Aid
Financial Aid may be available to those who qualify. We have dedicated staff who can assist you with the Financial Aid process
Is Career Training Right For You? Find Out!
Take the “Career Training Readiness Quiz”
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Refer a friend to Oxford College to help propel their career!
If your friend is interested in following in your footsteps, you could be eligible for a $500 reward.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Important: This is a full-time, in-person program.
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. 16 months. Burlington and Barrie campuses. Three intakes per year: September, January, and May.
Fill out the form to receive program details, intake dates, and information on financial aid options. A member of our admissions team will be in touch.
For immediate questions, call 1-866-604-5739