Paramedics are bound to act and perform in a specific manner. The Standards of Practice relate to the six roles (plus the integrative paramedic role) in the Canadian Paramedic Profile: clinician, professional, educator, advocate, team member, and reflective practitioner.
Clinician
1. Apply foundational knowledge to evidence-informed practice, including paramedicine,
clinical sciences, social sciences, leadership, management, health and social services, and
public safety systems.
2. Acquire informed consent and assess the patient’s medical, mental health, and
social needs.
3. Remain accountable for ongoing advice, assessment, treatment, diagnosis, administering or
dispensing of medication, and referral.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in psychomotor skills required to provide health services.
5. Apply critical thinking and clinical judgment in practice.
6. Apply quality assurance and quality improvement processes.
7. Demonstrate an informed approach to patient access, assessment, treatment, treatment in
place, referral, extrication, transfer and continuity of care, immobilization, and transport.
8. Ensure mental and physical fitness to practice, and seek advice and intervention
when reasonable and prudent.
Professional
1. Apply clinical and professional judgment to ensure informed consent, informed refusal
of care, and informed referral of care.
2. Practice in a manner consistent with applicable policy and procedure.
3. Report unsafe practice, alleged unprofessional conduct, and/or potential criminal
activity to the appropriate authority, and cooperate with investigation.
4. Comply with applicable regulation and legislation.
5. Ensure timely, accurate, legible, and complete documentation.
Advocate
1. Participate in regular review of clinical, administrative, and operational policy
and procedure.
2. Question policies and procedures that may be inconsistent with patient needs and safe
health care practice, and suggest and implement improvement.
3. Apply risk mitigation strategies to prevent or minimize adverse events
through identification, reporting, monitoring, and follow-up.
4. Participate in maintaining competence and professional development opportunities.
5. Seek assistance, consultation, referral, or other actions when in the patient’s best interest.
6. Promote quality and safety in medication dispensing, administration,
inventory management, and system oversight.
7. Engage in research to identify and disseminate best practice.
Team Member
1. Inform peers of the paramedic regulatory framework.
2. Ensure peers understand operational requirements and practice limitations.
3. Develop and maintain professional relationships.
4. Listen attentively, provide feedback, and communicate effectively.
5. Manage conflict respectfully and effectively.
Reflective Practitioner
1. Remain accountable for actions in practice.
2. Apply valid information derived from research, guidelines, policies and procedures,
consensus statements, and expert opinion in practice.
3. Review decisions and critique personal performance.
4. Appreciate personal performance gaps.
5. Participate in continuing professional development and lifelong learning.
6. Demonstrate respect, continuous learning, and feedback in the delivery of safe care.
7. Reflect upon the privilege and responsibility of being a paramedic.