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By Ben Tompkins

Provincial Bursaries

Northeast paramedic students could soon see financial boost

Jul 28, 2023 | 3:56 PM

The Government of Saskatchewan has announced a large sum of training bursaries to support future paramedics.

Financial supports are now being offered to those interested in pursuing a frontline paramedic career in the province, which includes students in the northeast.

Regional colleges such as Carlton Trail (CTC) and Suncrest offer programs in the primary and advanced care paramedic fields, the criteria required for said funding.

“We are certainly encouraging our students to look into this opportunity, as it’s a great way to encourage individuals to really start their career in healthcare and in paramedical services,” said Jennifer Brooks, advancement and external affairs director for CTC.

“In particular, we know that there is a strong need for healthcare occupations across the province with approximately 15,000 job openings over the next three to five years. Bursary programs like this really incentivize and encourage students to consider paramedical services as valid career options.”

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Training bursaries will be available to students and new graduates of paramedic programs who commit to joining Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Saskatchewan, with the bursaries set to be administered by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

One-time funding of $530,000 will provide a total of 58 bursaries to support paramedic training for EMS providers within the province, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.

“To have these bursaries support future paramedics to study and work in the EMS field really benefits our rural regions, who do continue to need access to high-quality health care services,” Brooks added.

“We believe we consistently graduate really strong candidates who do move on to paramedical and emergency service careers. Our hope is that through this bursary program, we would see some of Carlton Trail’s graduates receive bursaries to start their careers within Saskatchewan.”

Paramedic training programs in Saskatchewan are primarily offered through Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Saskatchewan’s regional colleges (CTC and Suncrest), while Medavie HealthEd also provides an Advanced Care Paramedic program.

To qualify for bursaries, candidates need to meet the following criteria:

• Be accepted into, or a new graduate of, a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) and Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) program.
• Pass the pre-employment screening process through the Saskatchewan Health Authority or a contracted EMS provider.
• Sign a return for service agreement for a minimum of two years of employment with ground EMS in Saskatchewan, operated by the SHA or a contracted EMS provider.
• ACP candidates will need to sign the agreement with services currently designated as, or prioritized for, future Advanced Life Support designation.

“I think incentivizing health care programs is a great way to create additional interest for individuals to consider developing a career in healthcare, and in this particular case, in paramedical services,” Brooks added.

“There continues to be a need, certainly within the central region with increased investment into key sectors, and so having healthcare support services that support investments in construction, mining, manufacturing, and more can really only help serve this rural region better as it continues to grow.”

For Carlton Trail, their next PCP program is slated to start in May 2024, with applications currently being accepted.

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