College of the North Atlantic - Program Guide

Credential	Post Diploma
Duration	Four Semesters
School of	Health Sciences
Area	Health Sciences
Delivery	B Prince Philip Drive - Blended - January 2027
Start Date	January 2027

Overview

Critical care when every second counts.

Critical care paramedics are highly trained healthcare professionals who provide advanced life support and emergency care to critically ill or injured patients at the scene of an emergency and enroute to hospital. These professionals have expertise in intensive care and emergency settings and are equipped to provide clinical support in- and out-of-hospital environments including remote and difficult-to-access locations. They travel to and from emergency situations, treating injuries in the field, providing support and stabilization for air transport and evacuations, administering medication, managing ventilators, conducting patient assessment and ensuring patient stabilization. They also provide support during transfers between facilities for critically ill patients.

The Critical Care Paramedic program builds on the existing skills and experience of Advanced Care Paramedics (ACP). These specialized professionals have a lasting, positive impact on healthcare services, providing essential support for families, communities and society.

As healthcare systems evolve to meet the needs of diverse and geographically dispersed populations, there is a growing emphasis on a modern, integrated air and road ambulance system. This system utilizes dynamic deployment and staffing, linked with virtual emergency care and advanced care paramedicine.^{^[1]} This program reflects that shift, preparing clinicians to work within dynamic, team-based systems that prioritize timely, high-quality care, especially in rural and remote regions where rapid transport and critical interventions can make a life-saving difference.

The program is aligned with the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators (COPR) standards as well as the National Occupational Standard for Paramedics (NOSP); upon graduation, you will meet the entry-to-practice competencies of a Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) as defined by COPR.

In the field, you will work with hospital staff, emergency services, and specialized teams to provide seamless, high-level care during inter-facility and air medical transfers of patients. At times you and the team will provide care to specialized patients, such as during a neonatal transport.

Now is the time to advance your ACP education with this specialized, intensive training. The Critical Care Paramedic post-diploma program is competency-based, focusing on critical care theory and best practices. You will learn to administer complex medications, perform advanced procedures, and manage critically ill patients in pre-hospital and transport settings.

This career is exciting, meaningful and rewarding. If you are an ACP looking to expand into air transport and manage critically ill patients in high-acuity situations, then this is your next move.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Alignment with the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators (COPR) standards and the National Occupational Standard for Paramedics (NOSP)
Two streams of entrance (one for critical care nurses - Critical Care Transport Nursing-College of the North Atlantic and one for ACP)
Blended delivery (online classes with in-person labs)
Two, 7-week clinical practicums in air transport and related clinical areas

DID YOU KNOW?

Critical Care Paramedics represent the highest level of pre-hospital and inter-hospital care during air transport available in North America.^[2]
Critical care is described as a blend of clinical precision and intuitive decision-making. It’s not just about memorizing protocols—it’s about mastering the art of saving lives under pressure, at times with limited resources.^[3]

OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the Critical Care Paramedicine program, graduates will be able to:

Meet the entry-to-practice competencies of a Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) as defined by the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators (COPR).
Administer complex medications, perform advanced procedures, and manage critically ill patients in pre-hospital and transport settings.
Provide continuous critical care during inter-facility and scene response, utilizing multiple modes of transportation including air, ensuring safe and effective management of unstable patients.
Assess and treat patients from specialized populations, applying advanced clinical judgment and decision-making in high-acuity scenarios.
Use critical thinking and clinical judgment to make autonomous decisions that optimize patient outcomes within their scope of practice.
Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless, integrated care for critically ill patients across healthcare systems.

CERTIFICATIONS

During the program students will complete the following certificate(s)/ Certifications:

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

CLINICAL PLACEMENTS

Clinical placements are a required element of this program, and students will be assigned placements at approved training sites. There is no guarantee that students will receive a placement at their preferred clinical site. All expenses associated with the completion of clinical placement will be the responsibility of the student.

Students require a clear Certificate of Conduct (Criminal Record Check and Vulnerability Sector Check) to be permitted into a clinical placement. Students with an unclear Certificate of Conduct are advised to contact student.placements@cna.nl.ca prior to beginning the program.

For programs with competitive admissions, clinical placements are not affected by ranking in the competitive admissions process and will be determined under institutional guidelines.

REFERENCES

¹ Health Accord NL. (2022). Our Province. Our Health. Our Future. A 10-Year Health Transformation: The Report https://healthaccordnl.ca/final-reports/
² Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) - APBC
³ "Understanding Decision Making in Critical Care" by Geoffrey K. Lighthall and Cristina Vazquez-Guillamet.

Admission Requirements

Completion of an Advanced Care Paramedic diploma or certificate with successful completion of national COPR examination (ACP) or provincial equivalent
Hold an active license to practice as an ACP
Minimum of 3 years (5,700 hours) experience as an ACP environment
Employer letter of support from NLHS services

Note: ESL students only – must meet School of Health Sciences English proficiency as outlined in Policy No. AC-102-PR.

Additional Requirements Upon Acceptance
1. Complete a HS Student Information and Program Awareness Package, which includes:

Criminal Record Screening (RNC) or Criminal Record Check (RCMP)
Vulnerable Sector Check (RNC or RCMP)
NL Student Preplacement Immunizations and Communicable Diseases Screening Form

2. Program specific requirements:

CPR (BLS) – Annual renewal required for duration of the program.
Mask Fit Testing
Hold and maintain annual licensure as an ACP in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador

See the Additional Information for Health Sciences Applicants (Definitions and Regulations) section of the calendar or under the Admissions Regulations section of our website for details.

Notes:

Applicants with a criminal offense listed on their Criminal Record Check may be denied access to clinical placements and may be unable to complete their program. Acceptance of the Criminal Record is at the discretion of the clinical placement site.
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all medical requirements are met, and health screening records are complete before submission. Certain immunizations require a series of tests or vaccines, requiring weeks or months to complete. Start the process as early as possible.

The applicant is responsible for all associated costs (vaccinations, laboratory testing, healthcare fees, certificate of conduct fees, mask fit testing etc.).

Tuition & Fees

Canadian Students

The confirmation fee is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance. It is required in order to hold your seat in the program.

Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $30.00 (per program)

A non-refundable fee required for each application submitted to the College | Application Page

Application fees are only refundable if the program does not go ahead, and the applicant does not want to transfer the application to another program.

Note: The following fee is non-refundable and must be paid within two (2) weeks of receiving your Letter of Acceptance for each program at the College.

Confirmation Fee - $105.00 (per program annually)

A non-refundable annual fee due upon confirming acceptance into each program. This covers registration and student association services and must be paid each academic year.

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

A one-time fee assessed for auditing academic records during your program.

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

A semester-based fee to support student access to software, internet, and digital services across all campuses.

Full-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Regular Term (15-weeks)
Health Sciences $1,301.00 (per semester) $625.00 (per semester)

Intersession (up to 7-weeks)
Health Sciences (per semester) - $625.00

Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Certificate & Diploma Programs $320.00 (per course)

Regulations

All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term. These dates can be found in the Academic Calendar .

Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of award on the first day of classes. These students may defer payment until aid is received, at which time fees must be paid in full.
Students who do not pay fees within the prescribed time may have their registration cancelled.
Students with outstanding balances are:
- Ineligible for future term registration
- Unable to receive diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports
- Denied access to online grades until the balance is paid in full

It is the student's responsibility to clear all balances and contact their campus Student Services office with any account inquiries.

Additional Notes

If the College cancels a program, all tuition and fees will be fully refunded.
Out-of-sequence students registering or withdrawing mid-term will be charged on a pro-rated basis.
Students taking additional courses beyond a standard load must pay for each extra course.
Senior citizens (60+) receive a 50% discount on confirmation fees and tuition.
Students auditing a course must pay:
- 50% of tuition
- 100% of any applicable technology fees

International Students

A fee, which is applied toward program tuition and compulsory fees and includes a deposit fee, is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance.

Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $100.00 (per program)

A non-refundable fee required for each application submitted to the College | Application Page

Note: The following fees are non-refundable and must be paid within two (2) weeks of receiving your Letter of Acceptance for each program at the College.

Confirmation Fee - $105.00 (per program annually)

A non-refundable annual fee due upon confirming acceptance into each program. This covers registration and student association services and must be paid each academic year.

Deposit Fee - $1,500.00 (Included in First Semester Tuition)

A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit required to secure your seat. Included in first semester tuition.

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

A one-time fee assessed for auditing academic records during your program.

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

A semester-based fee to support student access to software, internet, and digital services across all campuses.

Full-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Regular Term (15-weeks)
Health Sciences $4,685.00 (per semester) $2,344.00 (per semester)

Intersession (up to 7-weeks)
Health Sciences (per semester) - $2,344.00

Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Certificate & Diploma Programs $1,046.00 (per course)

Estimated Program Costs

The document below provides a summary of estimated program costs for international students applying to the 2026–2027 academic year. Please note that all amounts are approximate and subject to change without notice. These costs apply only to international applicants.

Download Estimated Program Costs (PDF)

Making Payments

Application Fee

If applying online, the application fee must be paid via credit card during the submission of your application to College of the North Atlantic.

Tuition and Other Payments

College of the North Atlantic has partnered with PayMyTuition for all international tuition payments. All tuition payments, unless otherwise noted, can be paid via PayMyTuition.

Payments can be made from any bank, in any country, and in any currency.
Offers better than bank exchange rates.
Fast, secure, and cost-effective.

Please note that you can only use PayMyTuition once you have been assigned a CNA student number.

Regulations

All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term. These dates can be found in the Academic Calendar .

Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of award on the first day of classes. These students may defer payment until aid is received, at which time fees must be paid in full.
Students who do not pay fees within the prescribed time may have their registration cancelled.
Students with outstanding balances are:
- Ineligible for future term registration
- Unable to receive diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports
- Denied access to online grades until the balance is paid in full

It is the student's responsibility to clear all balances and contact their campus Student Services office with any account inquiries.

Additional Notes

If the College cancels a program, all tuition and fees will be fully refunded.
Out-of-sequence students registering or withdrawing mid-term will be charged on a pro-rated basis.
Students taking additional courses beyond a standard load must pay for each extra course.
Senior citizens (60+) receive a 50% discount on confirmation fees and tuition.
Students auditing a course must pay:
- 50% of tuition
- 100% of any applicable technology fees

Career & Pathways

Sorry, the careers & pathways for this program is not yet available online.

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First Selection

Critical Care Paramedicine

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

DID YOU KNOW?

OBJECTIVES

CERTIFICATIONS

CLINICAL PLACEMENTS

REFERENCES

Canadian Students

Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $30.00 (per program)

Confirmation Fee - $105.00 (per program annually)

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

Full-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Regulations

Additional Notes

International Students

Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $100.00 (per program)

Confirmation Fee - $105.00 (per program annually)

Deposit Fee - $1,500.00 (Included in First Semester Tuition)

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

Full-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Estimated Program Costs

Making Payments

Application Fee

Tuition and Other Payments

Regulations

Additional Notes

Second Selection