Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS)

If you're interested in a rewarding and challenging career in the healthcare sector where you can make a real difference in people's lives, this program is for you.
The Diploma in Health Sciences (EMS) is the first academic credential in the Health Sciences Division paramedic education pathway. After completing the diploma students can transfer credits to a bachelor’s degree program.
The program is designed for individuals new to the health care field 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 typically taken full-time over eight months at one of several locations in BC. In the PCP program, emergency medicine skills are mastered through independent study, hands-on practice, and ambulance and hospital placements (see JIBC’s PCP for details and part-time course options).After PCP program completion, many students 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 range from anatomy and disease pathophysiology to research methods and conflict resolution. These courses are delivered fully online and can be taken part-time or full-time.The online portion of the diploma program can be completed in as little as one year (PCP program can be completed in about 8 months) and has a 7-year completion deadline from the semester when a student is accepted into the diploma program. It is recommended that students apply for, be accepted into, and complete the PCP component prior to applying for the diploma program.