Overview
The provincial ambulance program provides emergency and routine medical transportation in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and responds to over 110,000 requests for service every year. To meet the emergency care and medical transportation needs of the province, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) operates a single integrated public ambulance service that includes 150 ambulances distributed over 83 operating bases as well as both fixed wing and rotary wing dedicated air ambulance aircraft. NLHS employs over 800 paramedicine providers ranging from emergency medical responders to advanced and critical care paramedics.
- Road Ambulance Program Information
- Air Ambulance Program Information
- Training Information – Becoming a Paramedic
- Newfoundland and Labrador Paramedicine Regulator – Obtaining a Paramedic License
- Office of the Provincial Medical Director – Obtaining Medical Authority
Road Ambulance Program
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The road ambulance program is a critical component of the health care system and is often the first point of contact for people in an emergency. Our highly trained paramedicine providers deliver emergency medical services while transporting the patient to the most appropriate hospital for further treatment.
While the primary mission of the ambulance program is to respond to patients in emergency situations, ambulances are also used to transport routine patients requiring ongoing medical attention during transport who are unable to be transported by alternate means.
Health and Community Services through the division of Emergency Health and Paramedicine Services Division (EHPS) of the Department of Health and Community Services is the primary government body responsible for system oversight, regulatory enforcement, supporting overall EMS strategic planning in the larger health system context, and supporting the continuous improvement of emergency health and paramedicine services in Newfoundland and Labrador on behalf of the Minister. NLHS is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the road ambulance program.
HOW TO ACCESS EMERGENCY SERVICE
911 emergency telephone service is available province wide. There are two 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that answer 911 calls – located in Corner Brook and St. John’s. 911 call takers will ask for the type of emergency being reported, the town or area of the emergency and the caller’s phone number. The caller is then transferred to the new NLHS provincial medical communications center, a state-of-the-art provincial dispatch center, where trained and certified dispatchers will dispatch the required assistance. Depending on the type of emergency being reported, the 911 call takers may notify other emergency service agencies as needed.
ROAD AMBULANCE PATIENT FEES
The bulk of the cost of a road ambulance trip is covered under the Medical Care Plan (MCP) in Newfoundland and Labrador. Residents who require a response by a road ambulance within this province must pay a patient fee of $115. Please note patient fees are charged for ambulance response and not necessarily for patient transport. If a patient requests medical assistance by road ambulance personnel and then refuses transportation or is deemed not to require road ambulance transport by medical authorities, the $115 patient fee is still charged. Some people in receipt of Income Support may have their patient fee paid through the Department of Immigration, Skills and Labor.
If a provincial resident requires an ambulance due to illness or injury while outside the province, the provincial resident will be charged for the transport at a rate established by the jurisdiction in which the transport occurred. This cost is not covered by the Medical Care Plan. Residents are advised to obtain insurance prior to travelling to protect them from potential costs should they require an ambulance while out of province. [More information on Out of Province MCP coverage is available here: Out of Province Coverage – Health and Community Services (gov.nl.ca) ]
Air Ambulance Program
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
An emergency air ambulance program has been in place in this province since the early 1950s. At that time single engine floatplanes were used to transport emergency patients to the appropriate medical facility. Today highly trained advanced care paramedics, critical care paramedics and registered nurses provide transportation to individuals requiring critical care between medical facilities as well as for non-emergent patients when a road ambulance or commercial flight is unsuitable. The program uses two King Air 350s and a variety of supplementary contracted aircraft that provide dedicated air ambulance service to the entire province.
The majority of air transports occur within the province however, out of province patient transports may occur if the required medical services are not available in Newfoundland and Labrador and the patient is unable to travel by commercial flight.
HOW TO ACCESS SERVICE
The sending medical facility will request an air ambulance to transport a patient between hospitals when required. The Air Ambulance Coordinator located at the Provincial Medical Communication Centre in St. John’s screens the request to ensure that the patient’s needs meet the air ambulance criteria.
AIR AMBULANCE USER FEES
Provincial Residents
The entire cost associated with an air ambulance transport is subsidized under the medical care plan in this province. Additionally, the patient fees for the use of a road ambulance to and from the airport is covered by the Department of Health and Community Service.
Non-Residents
Non-residents are charged on a cost recovery basis for an air ambulance transport, including the costs associated with aircraft, medical escorts and the road ambulance to and from the airport.
Provincial Residents Temporarily Outside of the Province
If a provincial resident requires an air ambulance while outside the province, they will be charged for the transport at a rate set by the jurisdiction in which the transport occurred. The costs of medical transportation, emergency assistance, and other health care services outside Newfoundland and Labrador can be very significant and may not be fully or even partially covered by MCP, even within Canada. Travelers are strongly advised to obtain additional insurance for these services from a private insurer prior to leaving the province, for any length of time. [More information on Out of Province MCP coverage is available here: Out of Province Coverage – Health and Community Services (gov.nl.ca) ]
Training Information – Becoming a Paramedic
Paramedic training is available in Newfoundland and Labrador from the following training providers. Please contact the training institution directly with any questions you may have about training to become a paramedic.
College of the North Atlantic
CNA offers paramedic training from two separate campuses, Bay St. George campus in Stephenville and Prince Phillip Drive Campus in St. John’s. CNA offers both Primary Care Paramedic training (Entry level of paramedic training) and Advanced Care Paramedic training (Advanced level of paramedic training). Completion of a primary care paramedic program is a pre-requisite to advanced care training.
Website:
- College of the North Atlantic – Primary Care Paramedicine
- College of the North Atlantic – Advanced Care Paramedicine
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Phone Number:1-888-982-2268
Keyin Tech
Keyin Tech offers Primary Care Paramedic training from their Grand Falls – Windsor campus.
Website:
Phone: 1 (800) 563 8989
Random Sound Paramedicine
Random Sound Paramedicine offers Primary Care Paramedic training from their Clarenville Campus.
Website:
Phone:1 (709) 466 7633
Newfoundland and Labrador Paramedicine Regulator – Obtaining a Paramedic License
All emergency medical responders and paramedics working in Newfoundland and Labrador are required to obtain a Paramedicine provider license from NLPR. For information on becoming a licensed paramedic in Newfoundland and Labrador, available license streams, and entry to practice or renewal requirements, please visit : Newfoundland and Labrador Paramedicine Regulation
Office of the Provincial Medical Director – Obtaining Medical Authority
All emergency medical responders and paramedics working within the publicly funded ambulance program, either road ambulance or air ambulance, are required to obtain medical authority from the Office of the Provincial Medical Director. This authority provides paramedics with the ability to perform controlled medical acts while working within the public ambulance program. For more information on obtaining medical authority privileges including the application process, testing requirements and renewal requirements, please visit: Office of the Provincial Medical Director
Paramedicine Employment Opportunities
We are always seeking talented and compassionate paramedicine providers to join us! NLHS is the employer for all paramedicine providers working within the public ground and air ambulance programs as well as supporting programs such as emergency medical dispatchers. Available job opportunities can be found at https://nlhealthservices.ca/careers/
If you are interested in working as a paramedicine provider in Newfoundland and Labrador, please contact NLHS recruitment. Various recruitment incentives also exist – be sure to inquire about them!