G’day and Seasons Greetings!
As we approach the end of the calendar year, I wanted to provide a few updates on where the College stands regarding governance, education and the ever-shifting landscape of healthcare in our province.
A natural part of a healthy Council is the rotation of voices around the table; this change brings new perspectives and ensures robust governance. We have recently welcomed two new regulated members to Council, and we are currently anticipating the appointment of two new public members as well. With these changes, we have seen the departure of two of our valuable public members, Chris Salmon and Lynda Cherry. I want to sincerely thank them both for their service and contributions to the paramedic profession.
Work also continues on the paramedicine education framework. This project is vital as it provides the necessary structure for the Bachelor of Paramedicine while simultaneously aligning us with the COPR Canadian Paramedic Competence Framework. By aligning with COPR, we are ensuring that paramedics entering the workforce meet the highest standards. Furthermore, this facilitates labour mobility and, crucially, aligns Alberta with international paramedic education standards.
I also know that the restructuring of the Alberta healthcare system and public safety sectors continues to move forward. We recognize this has varied effects on our members depending on which industry or sector you work in. From a regulatory perspective, please know that the College anticipates legislative changes may occur, and we will provide updates to the membership whenever appropriate. However, our mandate remains unchanged; the regulatory approach is consistent regardless of the industry or employer our EMRs and paramedics operate within.
If you have questions regarding legislation and the regulation of paramedics, please reach out to the staff at the College; they are more than happy to help navigate these complexities. I would also encourage you to consider taking the Regulatory Knowledge course on the Learning Management System (LMS) if you haven’t already. In the New Year, we will be releasing a new Documentation course on the LMS, so please keep an eye out for that.
Finally, I want to extend my gratitude to each of you for your unwavering resilience and dedication to this profession. Whether you have some time booked off to rest with family or are on shift working through the holidays, thank you to each of you. Be sure to take some time for yourself to recharge and reconnect with what brings you joy. I wish you all a safe holiday season and a happy New Year.
Cheers,
Harrison Stein, ACP
President