How to Get a Job in Canada as a Paramedic

As first responders to emergencies and accidents, it’s safe to say that as a paramedic, you have a very important job no matter where you live.

There are a lot of responsibilities involved in a paramedic role. Given that Canada has approximately 9,985 million km² of land, which is slightly bigger than the United States, there is no doubt why more paramedics are approached to apply to work in Canada.

If you are a paramedic or would like to become one, there is no need to worry about whether you can get to Canada to work in one of the most competitive national economies in the world. 

This is mainly due to the increasing demand for paramedics, which makes the immigration process easy for anyone who would like to apply and meets the requirements. With the help of a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), the application process is a breeze.

Job Opportunities for Paramedics in Canada

The healthcare system in Canada is one of the most revered in the world. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), one of the world's most vaunted and trusted international organizations, conducts periodic investigations of its member nations' performance in the administrative and governing elements that contribute to the overall standard of living.

Healthcare is one of these governing elements that has received overall acclaim from the OECD, particularly with regards to aspects such as free medical screenings, emergency services provision, dental coverage, rigorously regulated pharmaceutical industry and prompt and efficient pharmaceutical services.

Should you decide to move to Canada to pursue a career in paramedical services then you would become a part of this valued cadre of workers who provide a valuable service to the Canadian population.

Furthermore, the Canadian population has experienced perennial labor shortages in various essential services across the healthcare system, one of which which was paramedics. So long as you are able to meet Canada's work and educational eligibility requirements, there is no shortage of work opportunities that will be available to you at your disposal.

How To Get a Job as a Paramedic in Canada

Step 1: Take a Look at the NOC for Paramedics

To find a job in Canada as a paramedic, you must check the National Occupation Classification (NOC) or refer to the list of in-demand occupations offered by each province's Provincial Nominee Program.

The NOC is a system that classifies jobs based on job duties and the type of work someone does. This is the same case for any other job in Canada.

For paramedics who want to immigrate to Canada, the NOC code is 3234 and TEER level 2. This information is necessary as you embark on your journey to immigrate to Canada.

Step 2: Check Your Eligibility by Taking the Demographic Eligibility Evaluation

Based on the eligibility criteria described in the NOC category that paramedics fall under, you will have to undergo an eligibility evaluation that assesses your demographic data according to your:

• Age

• Work experience

• Medical history

• Police certificate

• Family ties in Canada

• Language Proficiency in English or French

• Prior work experience in Canada

Step 3: Search for Paramedic Job Posts

If you pass the eligibility evaluation, you may proceed to the next stage of searching for paramedic job posts through various Canadian online job portals and the official IRCC website.

The most famous Canadian online job portals are IndeedCanada, CareerBuilders, MonsterCanada, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Robert Half, etc.

Step 4: If Applying for a Paramedic Job From Outside Canada, Create an Express Entry Profile

Once you have confirmed that there are paramedic job posts available in the town, city, or province in Canada you want to immigrate to, you have to create an Express Entry profile. To create an express entry profile, you must first gather the required documentation, which includes the following:

• A passport or travel document
• Language test results
• Proof of Canadian education or an Educational Credential Assessment
• Provincial Nomination (PN) if applicable
• Written job offer from an employer in Canada if applicable; and
• Proof of funds to settle in Canada

Once you have gathered all the requisite documentation, you may submit your Express Entry profile into an Express Express draw.

Step 5: Check and Meet the Minimum Application Requirements for Paramedics in Canada

Minimum education and experience requirements for paramedics include:

• Completion of a three-year college, hospital-based, paramedical, or emergency medical technology program
• Licensing by a regulatory body (required by all provinces)
• For emergency vehicle drivers, an appropriate class of license is required

Apart from qualifications, work experience, age, English and French proficiency, and your partner’s skills can help you gain enough Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to show whether you can stand a chance to move to Canada.

Step 6: Apply for the Open Paramedic Job Post to Which Your Qualified

The final step involves applying for your choice of paramedic job post. You should have the required qualifications and documents as part of submitting your application. You must ensure they’re all certified by a Canadian government-approved Dean of Oaths to verify their validity.

What Does Canada Have to Offer Paramedics?

There are 40 different job roles available in all 13 provinces and territories in the paramedic field, some of which include the following:

• Advanced or critical care paramedic
• Advanced emergency medical assistant
• Advanced life support attendant, coordinator, or paramedic
• Ambulance attendant, attendant trainee, attendant supervisor, driver, driver-attendant, services field supervisor, or technician
• Advanced life support attendant, support coordinator, or support paramedic
• Assistant paramedic
• Critical care paramedic
• Drilling rig medical technician, medical warden, and medical worker
• Emergency medical assistant, medical attendant (EMA), medical technologist, and paramedic
• Medical technician or assistant
• Paramedic emergency medical technician, or worker

Canada creates approximately 8,000 paramedic jobs available in Canada that need to be filled. Regardless of whether or not you have a job offer and apply to immigrate to Canada through the PNP program or don’t have a job offer and apply through the Express Entry programs, like the FSWP, you stand a chance of immigrating to Canada either way.

The employment law also respects work-life balance, which is supported by the Paramedic Association of Canada - the industry body of paramedics in Canada. Besides the support, you can earn a high salary and increase your earnings as a paramedic in any province or territory, depending on the need and the healthcare company or organization you work for.

You will be healthier and happier in Canada as a paramedic, living a more fulfilling life as an individual or with your family. This is because Canada offers a high quality of life that includes the best healthcare in the world, which is also entirely free. If you have a family, you will also get free education for your children, except for tertiary education.

Paramedic Salary in Canada

In Canada, paramedics can earn between 66,281 CAD on average a year, depending on their work experience and role, which means it can also be lower or much higher than this annual rate, which is already higher than that of Asia, the UK, and Europe. The highest paramedic salary earners reside in Ontario.

Do I Need a Work Permit to Work as a Paramedic in Canada?

Work permits are an official document issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that permits a foreigner to work in the country temporarily. The length of the work permit is based on the job offer from your Canadian employer and the expiry date of your passport or travel document.

You must get a work permit to work in Canada as a paramedic. The only exception where this is not necessary is if you’ve immigrated to Canada via one of the permanent residency immigration programs such as Express Entry programs or PNPs.

These PR programs facilitate the procurement of work opportunities in Canada without needing a work permit by granting its recipients permanent residency status.

When applying for a work permit, you will have to choose between two options based on the nature of your employment contract with your Canadian employer:

Open Work Permit

An open work permit is not job-specific, meaning you can choose any Canadian employer in any province and do not need a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Employer-Specific Work Permit

This work permit allows immigrants to work for one specific employer in Canada, but they must abide by the conditions and limitations detailed in the work permit. The work permit will state the name of your employer, the location where you are working, and the time you will be working. This work permit requires an LMIA.

Enter the Next Phase of Your Life in Canada as a Paramedic!

One of the biggest questions foreigners ask when they show interest in finding a job in Canada is, “Do I qualify”? The problem with requiring an answer to this question, which seems like it could be quite simple, is whether you are seeking information from a reliable source.

To avoid any potential misinformation, you can seek guidance from one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), all approved by the Canadian government and trained to get you from where you are to the Canadian location you want to live and work in.

Who knows what could happen if you leap of faith to make your dreams come true? The experience maybe even more than what you imagined. So, with this in mind, we recommend using our services to usher you into the next phase of your life in Canada.

FAQs

What is the Best Place to Move to in Canada as a Paramedic?

Toronto is Canada’s largest and most bustling city. Its sheer size requires a more extensive and effective healthcare system than any other city, with more hospitals per capita than any other Canadian city. This translates to more job opportunities for healthcare workers, including paramedics, in Toronto.

What is the Average Salary for Paramedics in Canada for 2023?

The average salary for Canadian paramedics is $61,316 per year. This equates to $31.44 per hour as an hourly wage.

Can you Work in Canada as a Paramedic Without Prior Work Experience?

Prior work experience as a paramedic is a stipulated eligibility requirement for working in Canada.