So you got into the program and you are wondering what to expect.  Hopefully I will be able to give you an idea of what to expect over the next two years.  There is the initial cost, the hours that you will spend in class and some of the employment opportunities that may arise.  It is a busy two years, probably the two busiest of my life, but with the instructors and teachers involved the two years will go by fast and you will learn a lot.

The total cost of this program will vary depending on where you want to live or how far you have to travel to get to the campus.  I hope that I can give you a general idea of what you will need to buy.  You first expense will be your tuition.  Over the two years you will spend approximately five thousand dollars on your tuition.  This does not cover uniform costs or books.  Books for the first year were around seven hundred and twenty five dollars.  After you have bought your books for the first year, most of them will be the same books that are used in second year.  You will also have to purchase a uniform and safety equipment.  This can cost anywhere from about three to four hundred dollars and it also includes lab uniform, clinical uniform, safety boots and safety euipment (helmet, gloves, goggles).  Housing costs vary in the Niagara region, but three to four hundred dollars per month is around the average price to rent a room.  Niagara College residence charges about five hundred dollars a month and rental apartments can be anywhere from six hundred dollars and up.

WHAT AM I GOING TO LEARN?

You will have a full course load as the Paramedic program is not offered part time.  You will spend approximately 25 hours a week in class and labs.  All classes and labs are taught by experienced professionals who are still active paramedics in the community.  You will learn patient care theory in class and then have the opportunity to put what you have learned into practice in the labs where you are given live scenarios and learn equipment and other skills used by paramedics in the field.  You will also have 540 hours of hands on experience during your clinicals.  You will be teamed up with a working crew and you will observe, help and even attend calls while you are out on the road.   The program is one of the most intensive at Niagara College, but the instructors and teachers make it a great environment for learning and a fun place to be.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

The paramedic program can open the doors to many different fields of work.   Summer employment is something that can really help a student out.  There are several companies that offer summer employment to paramedic students such as Event Medical Staff, Ontario Patient Transfer and Ontario Racing Medical Team.  Event Medical Staff employs paramedic students and paramedics to attend concerts, races and sporting events as medical staff.  Ontario Patient Transfer offers employment to paramedic students and offers the opportunity to do interhospital tranfers.  All of these companies offer competitive wages and are great for the experience and keeping up with all of the skills you learn in your first year of the program.