Technical occupations in therapy and assessment

Paramedical occupations

Also called: Paramedic, Ambulance driver, Paramedic worker, Drilling rig medic, Medical technician, Ambulance attendant, Assistant paramedic, Emergency paramedic, Ambulance technician, Primary care paramedic, Advanced care paramedic, Critical care paramedic

Workers in paramedical occupations administer pre-hospital emergency medical care to patients with injuries or medical illnesses and transport them to hospitals or other medical facilities for further medical care. They are employed by private ambulance services, hospitals, fire departments, government departments and agencies, manufacturing firms, mining companies and other private sector establishments. Paramedics who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

Main tasks

Assess extent of injuries or medical illnesses of trauma victims, patients with respiratory disease and stress, overdose and poisoning victims, industrial accident victims and other ill or injured individuals to determine emergency medical treatment
Administer pre-hospital emergency care to patients such as oxygen therapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), spinal immobilization, bandaging and splinting
Establish and maintain intravenous treatment (IV), apply adjunctive equipment for ventilation and circulation complications, administer medications and provide other advanced emergency treatment to patients
Transport patients by air, land or water to hospital or other medical facility for further medical care
Collaborate with ambulance dispatch centres, hospital staff, police, firefighters and family members to ensure relevant information is collected and proper treatment is administered
Document and record nature of injuries and illnesses and treatment provided
Assist hospital personnel with provision of medical treatment, if necessary
Maintain emergency care equipment and supplies

How to become one

Completion of a one- to three-year college, hospital-based or other recognized paramedical or emergency medical technology program is required. Licensing by a regulatory body is required in all provinces. Those operating emergency vehicles require an appropriate class of licence.

See the full NOC 2021 profile

Ways in

College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 72% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Allied health diagnostic, intervention and treatment professions; Allied health and medical assisting services; General health services/allied health/health sciences.
Licence or registration: Licensing by a regulatory body is required in all provinces.

Pay · Outlook

Median pay: $74,100 a year The middle half earn $58,500 to $83,850.
About 40,700 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 55,300 are projected by 2033. (+35.9%)
Projected labour market to 2033: strong risk of shortage.

Sources

Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03