Is becoming a paramedic a good job?

Best Canadian province to become a paramedic?

• Hey there, I'm currently in my last year of high school and I'm pretty set on becoming a paramedic. I've done ride alongs and all that and despite the negatives it still seems like a great job. I currently live in Alberta and paramedics here get paid really good (starting $60,000). The problem is that I'm personally not a big fan of Alberta and I'd love to live somewhere else in Canada. What's the best cities or provinces to become a paramedic? Also, if I get my EMT-P in Alberta is that diploma still valid in other Canadian provinces? I heard that Ontario has a different way of getting your paramedic diploma. Thank you.

• Answer:

  Your Paramedic training is valid in all Canadian provinces so long as you went to a CMA accredited school. Once you finish an EMT-P in Alberta, you can easily apply for your ACP license in BC, Ontario, you name it. As for which province is best, I would suggest picking somewhere you want to live and go from there. Ontario has the best wages hands down, but you may not like living in Ontario or the work environment. Find a place you'll be happy. You also may want to consider working as an EMT-A/PCP for a while before going on to the EMT-P/ACP level. While not a hard and fast rule by any means, most services don't like hiring ACPs who don't have any street time under their belts.