Primary Care Paramedic Recruitment

To become a Paramedic with the City of Hamilton you must:

• Must be a certified Primary Care Paramedic, Advanced Care Paramedic, or be eligible to become certified prior to beginning employment.
• Have a Diploma from an approved Ontario Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) training program or letter of good standing from an approved Ontario PCP training program indicating program completion date.
• If graduation was prior to 2003 must provide proof of completion of all mandatory Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care core programs via individual certificates or with a letter attesting to completion by an approved Ontario PCP Training Program.
• Have a current Basic Life Support Provider certificate or CPR HCP certificate or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certificate.
• Hold the qualification of, or have obtained a pass standing, in an advanced emergency medical care assistant examination (AEMCA), or equivalent, as outlined in the Ambulance Act O. Reg. 257/00.
• If non AEMCA certified, must have successfully completed an approved Ontario PCP Training Program and must achieve AEMCA Certification within 210 days of paramedic program completion as per Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care guidelines, unless otherwise specified by the MOHLTC (per Ambulance Act Reg. 257/00).
• Must hold and maintain a valid Ontario Driver's Licence that authorizes the person to drive an ambulance.
• Meet all current requirements (including medical) of the Ambulance Act and Regulations. As a condition of employment, you will be required to provide proof of the minimum requirements required as outlined in the Ambulance Act and Regulations.
• Must successfully complete and become fully certified by the Centre for Paramedic Education and Research (CPER) with Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) Base Hospital Program. Certification in the palliative care ALS PCS medical directives must be completed within 6 months of initial certification.
• You must acknowledge and agree to comply with any future vaccine policy requirements as an ongoing condition of employment at the City of Hamilton.
• Demonstrate the ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide leadership and take charge in an emergency situation.
• Be in good physical health and able to lift heavy weights.
• Exercise sound judgement in emergency situations.

• Be able to work 12-hour shifts within a 24-hour-day, seven-day-a-week schedule. Regular part-time status consists of a minimum of 12 hours per week which are prescheduled on a consistent day of the week as determined and assigned by the City of Hamilton. Based on availability and operational necessity, paramedics may be scheduled for up to an additional 24 hours per month. The monthly recurring 48 hours and additional 24 hours are scheduled with advanced notice as required by the Collective Agreement. Paramedics wishing to work more than the minimum number of hours can be scheduled up to 72 hours in a 2-week pay period, based on their submitted availability.

Preference may be given to those with additional relevant education (e.g. ACLS/PALS/ITLS certification), experience, and related employment (paramedic, medical transfer and other Allied Health Professions). General knowledge of the City of Hamilton and its geography may be considered an asset.

Candidates will be contacted by e-mail and provided with further information about the exam session.

• A valid piece of government issued photo ID will be required at testing and throughout the recruitment process.
• The exam will be conducted online via the ExamSoft platform.
• Candidates should be prepared to have access to a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer with a camera and microphone using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.

Virtual Multi-Mini Interviews (VMMI's) will be conducted mid-January 2025

• Those who are invited for an interview will be notified via email with detailed information.
• A valid piece of government issued photo ID will be required at the VMMI's and throughout the recruitment process.
• VMMI's will be conducted online.
• Candidates should be prepared to have access to a laptop or computer with a camera and microphone.

Second interviews will be conducted mid-February 2025

• Those who are invited for a 2^nd interview will be notified via email with detailed information.
• A valid piece of government issued photo ID will be required at the 2^nd Interview and throughout the recruitment process.
• Please note that the 2^nd interview will be conducted online.
• Candidates should be prepared to have access to a laptop or computer with a camera and microphone.

Required Documents to be provided at the 2^nd Interview

The City of Hamilton Reference Consent Form will be provided to you if you are contacted for a 2^nd interview. You will be required to submit the completed Reference Consent Form prior to the interview listing three (3) references. References must be employment-related in a reporting capacity. If you are currently a paramedic student, or have recently graduated, one of your references must be your main paramedic preceptor. If you are currently employed as a paramedic, one of your references must also be your direct report paramedic supervisor. References will only be contacted if you are proceeding to the conditional offer stage in the recruitment process following the 2^nd interview.

One (1) copy of each of the following documents is required at the second interview:

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider certificate, CPR HCP certificate, or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certificate. The certification must be valid until July 2025, or later.
• Ability Works or OPPAT Physical Agility Evaluation (must be current within 6 months of the date of the offer letter; est. March 2025)
• A valid Ontario Class “F” Driver’s Licence or higher (or Provincial equivalent)
• AEMCA certificate, letter of successful completion of the AEMCA examination, or letter of registration to write the next scheduled AEMCA examination
• Diploma from an approved Ontario Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) Training Program or letter of good standing from an approved Ontario PCP Training Program indicating anticipated date of program completion
• If you are a new graduating student and have not yet received your diploma you will be required to produce a letter from your college instructor stating anticipated program completion date and verification of registration for the AEMCA examination. Upon successful completion of the AEMCA exam you would be required to bring the letter of successful completion and AEMCA Certificate to Hamilton Paramedic Service. In the event that after 210 days (unless otherwise specified by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care) post-program completion, the end of the AEMCA pending period, you have not been obtained AEMCA certification by the Province of Ontario, your employment with the City of Hamilton will be terminated.
• If graduation was prior to 2003, you will be required to provide proof of completion of all mandatory MOHLTC core programs.  This can either be done by individual certificates or with a letter attesting to completion by an approved Ontario PCP Training Program.
• Any relevant certifications, degrees, and/or diplomas (i.e. BA, BSc, Base Hospital certification, PALS, ITLS, etc.).
• Completed Reference Consent Form

Conditional job offers will tentatively be made in mid-March 2025 based on the number of vacancies. To be eligible to continue further in the process, the following conditions must be satisfied according to strict timelines after the conditional offer is made:

Ability Works Physical Agility Evaluation/Physical Agility Verification or OPPAT

• You will be required to obtain and pass the Ability Works or OPPAT physical assessment at your own expense and satisfactory to the City of Hamilton.
• Please note that these testing results must be current within six (6) months of the  date of the offer letter.
  • To be submitted at second interview.

CPR HCP, BLS, or ACLS Certificate

• You are required to submit a current Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider certificate, CPR HCP certificate, or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certificate. The certification must be valid until July 2025, or later.
  • To be submitted at second  interview.

Police Vulnerable Sector Check

• You will be required to obtain at your own expense a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) from the police service which serves the Municipality in which you permanently reside.
• Please note that this requirement must be valid within six months of the Orientation/Training start date (Group 1 - May 5, 2025; Group 2 - June 2, 2025).
• An original must be submitted to City of Hamilton Human Resources.
• In order for your application to be considered, you must not have a criminal conviction for which a pardon has not been granted at time of application and your PVSC must be satisfactory to the City of Hamilton.

Blood Work, Medical and ECG

• You will be required to complete lab work and an ECG.
• You will be contacted by the City of Hamilton with a date and time for your third-party medical assessment.
• You must successfully complete the medical evaluation to be considered further.
• You must pass a physical exam (administered by our Physician) as set out by the employer specific to the work of a Primary Care Paramedic.

Centre for Paramedic Education and Research (CPER) Certification

• You must successfully complete and become certified in the skills and knowledge as set out by the employer and Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) Centre for Paramedic Education and Research (CPER)
• Certification will be conducted by HHS CPER
• Certification in the Palliative Care ALS PCS medical directives must be completed within 6 months of your initial certification.

Immunization Status and Free from Communicable Disease Proof

• Proof of Immunization as outlined in Table 1, Part A of Ambulance Service Communicable Disease Standards.
• Proof that candidate is free of communicable diseases listed in Table 1, Part B of Ambulance Service Communicable Disease Standards.
• Proof of immunization must be completed on forms supplied by the Hamilton Paramedic Service.
• You must acknowledge and agree to comply with any future vaccine policy requirements as an ongoing condition of employment at the City of Hamilton.

MOHLTC Identification

• You must meet all requirements for MOHLTC Identification.

Driver’s Licence and Abstract Check

• A valid Ontario Class “F” (or higher) Driver’s Licence (or provincial equivalent) satisfactory to the City of Hamilton is required as photo ID throughout the process.
• A copy, front and back, of your valid Ontario Class “F” (or higher) Driver’s Licence (or provincial equivalent) must be submitted. 
  • To be submitted at second interview
• A driver’s abstract check will be conducted by the City of Hamilton and must be satisfactory to the City of Hamilton.

Driving Assessment

• You will be required to complete a driving assessment using a Hamilton Paramedic Service ambulance. Performance must be satisfactory to Hamilton Paramedic Service.

Reference Checks

• Reference checks will be conducted at this point in the recruitment process. If you are currently a paramedic student or a recent graduate, one of your references must be your primary paramedic preceptor. If you are currently employed as a paramedic, one of your references must also be your paramedic supervisor. 

Proof of Paramedic Program Completion

• You will be required to provide a copy of your diploma from an approved Ontario Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) Training Program or a letter from an approved Ontario PCP Training Program attesting to your completion of all PCP program requirements and your eligibility to register for the next scheduled AEMCA examination. Proof of the aforementioned must be received by Hamilton Paramedic Service by the Thursday preceding the scheduled start date of your recruitment orientation.

AEMCA Certificate or Proof of Registration for AEMCA Examination

• Candidates are required to provide a copy of their AEMCA certificate, a letter stating successful completion of the AEMCA examination, or proof of registration for the next available/scheduled AEMCA examination immediately following the date of their program completion. Candidates shall not accept an offer of employment while simultaneously deferring their AEMCA written examination beyond the next available testing date.
  • To be submitted at second interview

Group 1
Orientation and Training will tentatively commence May 5, 2025 and will be approximately six (6) weeks on a Monday to Friday, 0800hrs to 1600hrs schedule and will be comprised of classroom instruction, either in-person, online, or a combination of both, depending on public health/MOH restrictions in place at the time, and ride-out experience.

Group 2
Orientation and Training will tentatively commence June 2, 2025 and will be approximately six (6) weeks on a Monday to Friday, 0800hrs to 1600hrs schedule and will be comprised of classroom instruction, either in person, online, or a combination of both, depending on public health/MOH restrictions in place at the time, and ride-out experience.

Fast Track recruitment candidates do not need to participate in the written examination or virtual multiple mini interviews (vMMIs).

• Application
• Panel interviews
• Conditional offers - See corresponding recruitment guide for condition list
• Firm offers

To be eligible for the Fast Track  Primary Care Paramedic recruitment you must:

• Must be a currently certified Primary Care Paramedic, Advanced Care Paramedic, or Critical Care Paramedic with at least 1 year of full-time (or equivalent hours) experience operating in a 911 capacity.
• Diploma or letter confirming graduation from an approved Ontario Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) Training Program.
• If graduation was prior to 2003, candidates must provide proof of completion of all mandatory Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care core programs via individual certificates or with a letter attesting to completion by an approved Ontario PCP Training Program.
• Have a current Basic Life Support Provider certificate or CPR HCP certificate or advanced cardiac life support (ALCS) certificate.
• Hold the qualification of, or have obtained a pass standing, in an advanced emergency medical care assistant examination (A-EMCA), or equivalent, as outlined in the Ambulance Act O. Reg. 257/00.
• Must hold and maintain a valid Ontario Driver's Licence that authorizes the person to drive an ambulance.
• Must meet all current requirements (including medical) of the Ambulance Act and Regulations, including the current Ambulance Service Communicable Disease Standards.  As a condition of employment, you will be required to provide proof of the minimum requirements required as outlined in the Ambulance Act and Regulations.
• Must successfully complete and become fully certified by the Centre for Paramedic Education and Research (CPER) with Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) Base Hospital Program.
• As a condition of employment, you are required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated (COVID-19) or provide proof of valid exemption satisfactory to the employer prior to your start date. You must acknowledge and agree to comply with any future vaccine policy requirements as an ongoing condition of employment at the City of Hamilton.
• Demonstrate the ability to read, write and speak English fluently.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide leadership and take charge in an emergency situation.
• Be in good physical health and able to lift heavy weights.
• Prove you have the ability to exercise sound judgement in emergency situations.
• Be able to work a 24-hour-day, seven-day-a-week schedule. Regular part-time status consists of 12-24 hours per week with 12 of those hours on a consistent day of the week or consistent shift(s) as determined and assigned by the City, with advance notice as required in the collective agreement.

Preference may be given to those with additional relevant education (e.g. ACLS/PALS/ITLS certification), experience and related employment (paramedic, medical transfer and other Allied Health Professions). General knowledge of the City of Hamilton and its geography may be considered an asset.

Interviews will take place within approximately 2 to 4 weeks of candidate contact. Those who are invited for an interview will be notified via e-mail with detailed information.

Conditional offers to be distributed within approximately 2 weeks of the interview process based on the number of available positions.  To be eligible to continue further in the process the following conditions must be satisfied after the conditional offer is made:

Police Vulnerable Sector Check

• You will be required to obtain at your own expense a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) from the police service which serves the Municipality in which you permanently reside. 
• An original must be submitted to Human Resources. 
• In order for your application to be considered, you must not have a criminal conviction for which a pardon has not been granted at time of application and your PVSC must be satisfactory to the City of Hamilton.

Blood Work, Medical and ECG

• You will be required to complete lab work. 
• You will be contacted by the City of Hamilton with a date and time for your third-party medical assessment. 
• You must successfully complete the medical evaluation to be considered further.
• You must pass a physical exam (administered by our Physician) as set out by the employer specific to the work of a Primary Care Paramedic. 

Centre for Paramedic Education and Research (CPER) Certification

• You must successfully complete and become certified in the skills and knowledge as set out by the employer and Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) Centre for Paramedic Education and Research (CPER). 
• Certification will be conducted by HHS CPER.

Immunization Status and Free from Communicable Disease Proof

• Proof of Immunization as outlined in Table 1, Part A of Ambulance Service Communicable Disease Standards. 
• Proof that candidate is free of communicable diseases listed in Table 1, Part B of Ambulance Service Communicable Disease Standards. 
• Proof of immunization must be completed on forms supplied by the Hamilton Paramedic Service.

MOHLTC Identification

• Meet all requirements for MOHLTC Identification.

Driver’s Licence Copy/Driver’s Abstract Check

• A copy, front and back, of your valid Ontario Class “F” (or higher) Driver’s Licence (or provincial equivalent) must be submitted to the City of Hamilton Human Resources. 
• Your Driver’s Abstract check will be conducted by the City of Hamilton.                                                                            

Reference Checks

• Reference checks will be conducted at this point in the recruitment process.

At least one of your references must be your Paramedic Supervisor, and another must be your paramedic service’s QA Manager.

Orientations will be delivered based on operational and recruitment needs. Orientation and training will be approximately three (3) weeks in duration, delivered on a Monday to Friday, 0800hrs to 1830hrs schedule, and will be comprised of classroom instruction, either in person, online, or a combination of both, depending on the COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time, and ride-out experience.