Registrars Message: Standards vs Protocols
I would like to start this message off by thanking all of you who participated in the consultation process for our new Standards of Practice (Standards). This consultation is a key component of ensuring all stakeholder groups have a chance to review and suggest edits to how regulated members provide care and interact with patients and the public. Consultative feedbackRead More
Call for Support: EMS Foundation Memorial – Submitted by Chris Salmon
My name is Chris Salmon and in addition to my role as public member on Council for the Alberta College of Paramedics, I sit on the Board of the Emergency Medical Services Foundation (EMS Foundation). It is in that capacity that I am asking for your help and your support in getting the word out to your colleagues. As manyRead More
Minister of Health approves two-phase plan for implementation of Bill 46 changes to Alberta’s healthcare legislation
Following consultation with healthcare colleges and the Alberta Federation of Regulated Health Professions, the Minister of Health has approved the proposed plan regarding the implementation of Bill 46: HEALTH STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2020 (NO. 2). Bill 46 was announced in the summer of 2020 and received royal assent in December. The changes within the Bill are substantial; however, at thisRead More
Keep your privacy by separating employer email and personal email
Why does the College keep telling members to use their personal email addresses? Recently, the College was asked to assist Alberta Health Services in reaching out to members with their invitation to schedule their COVID vaccine. As we have been working through this for the last few weeks, we have noticed that many regulated members are still choosing to useRead More
2021 Member Survey Thank you and Results
Thank you to all regulated members who provided feedback through the 2021 Member Survey. This biennial member survey structure was implemented in 2017; making the 2021 survey the third time the College has successfully delivered this type of feedback mechanism for regulated members. All active, regulated members of the College were invited to participate in the three-week long survey opportunityRead More
Vaccine Eligibility Update from Alberta Health Services
Earlier this week, the College was provided with the following information regarding a further expansion to those who are/will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. In Phase 2B and 2C, Alberta continues to take a phased approach to protect those at high risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19, and those who interact with them, like health care workersRead More
CEO Message: one-year in, how COVID changed our world
A year ago, I, like many others, thought we would be sending staff home to work for a few weeks while the COVID situation unfolded and the appropriate responses were created. Little did any of us think or realize just how much of an effect we would have to deal with in both our professional and personal worlds. It isRead More
AHS Expands vaccines to all front-line paramedics (Update)
The Government of Alberta announced an expansion of vaccine eligibility to include health care workers beginning Monday, April 12. Eligible members may now book their own vaccination appointments with AHS. Alberta Health has recognized that all EMRs, PCPs and ACPs who provide direct patient care should be included in the next phase of the vaccine sequencing. This is beingRead More
AHS Expands vaccines to all front-line paramedics
Members, please check your email - including your junk and spam folders - for this important communication. The survey link can now be found on the home page of the member portal. Alberta Health has recognized that all EMRs, PCPs and ACPs who provide direct patient care should be included in the next phase of the vaccine sequencing. This isRead More
The College is a safe sender, but your email provider may need a reminder
Yesterday, the College sent out a Direct Message with important information on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine for regulated members. With more than 8,000 regulated members, the most efficient way the College can provide information relevant to your practice and the healthcare environment right now is through email. However, we are hearing from some that these emails are goingRead More
Working in multiple provinces: Border Security
The regulatory landscape for paramedics who work in more than one province has always been a bit tricky to navigate, but the events of the past year have highlighted the need to make more information available on this important topic. As you know, if you are an EMR, PCP or ACP working in any province in Canada, you are requiredRead More
Designations of the profession: wait, what? … Designations?
When you think of an emergency medical services person, you usually think paramedic. And while this isn’t inaccurate, it’s also not the full story about the paramedic profession in Alberta. Paramedicine has three different designation levels that are recognized to work in Alberta. The three designation levels are Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) and Advanced Care ParamedicRead More