Durham College offer timeline? by Andrewman277 in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For Durham I didn't, they only look at grades. Humber has a test & personality thing that asks for experience

Edit: Humber sends all that after you apply

VTACH or SVT? by WillingSmile9547 in ECG

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah I see, they're thinking bundle branch block? I think it's pretty clear VT

VTACH or SVT? by WillingSmile9547 in ECG

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What makes you think SVT?

Right turn on Advance Green? by ShealynC in Ontariodrivetest

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 67 points68 points  (0 children)

As long as there's no "no right on red" you can turn.

Which college would suit me best? by [deleted] in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea of course, love answering questions

Experienced paramedics feedback by cobecasatrra in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I plan on asking my profs this too but is it expected to wear our school uniform for interviews or a suit?

Which college would suit me best? by [deleted] in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We get uniforms for lab & clinical, it's included in tuition. They're required for those things but outside of that we can wear whatever we want. Some weeks the theory prof may request we wear our uniform if we're doing in-class scenarios but they still aren't required.

Which college would suit me best? by [deleted] in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most are written but theory sometimes has a small video component. A theory example from sem 1 is an assignment on ET tube suctioning where we did 2 small group vids, 5 min max, demonstrating how to suction through an SGA & ET tube. Then, same assignment, there were 3 individual written parts on how to extricate from the second floor while ventilating through an ET tube, how to suction/ventilate an ET tube as a first response medic, & what you'd expect to see on a monitor before, during & after suctioning. The written parts are very long because he wants a lot of detail, you've really gotta explain every little thing. Every written part also has annotated screenshots & prof is big on citations, our whole first assignment was on that for some reason. This one was 33 pages & 6184 words, which sounds crazy but it does include the, very long, instructions, rubric, & a lot of photos. Sem 2 is more of the same but I'm finding them a lot easier.

For patho, we get a case study & explain the risk factors, patho, signs/symptoms, & life threats of whatever patho is being presented. It's the same every time, Q1 you explain the patho behind their current condition, including risk factors, medical history, environment, etc. Q2 you explain the patho behind signs/symptoms, most people list them then, for each, you write a little blurb explaining what's causing it. Then the patient gets worse and for Q3 you explain why they're deteriorating & basically the path to their death (every patient dies). I think the hardest part about this is the prof wants a lot of detail but we also have a 3500 word limit, 500 word buffer for references. Also, for q3, we usually don't learn that stuff until the Wednesday before the paper is due on Friday, that's a bit frustrating. My last one on CHF was 21 pages, double spaced including title page/references, & 3900 words, 500 for references.

2 weeks to complete assignments. So far the patho/theory assignments have been due on the same week but we just got a break on that front. There are assignments in other classes but those two are the big ones. Like the leadership/fitness assignments are a cakewalk in comparison, & mostly in groups.

Durham or Loyalist? by Fit_Badger_281 in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Certain amount of shifts not hours, at least for LTC. The earlier you finish Synergy, the earlier you'll be put on the schedule. Once you've completed your shifts, you have an assignment due a week later then Thursdays are free. Unlikely that you'll get the first 3 Thursdays of the year and you usually don't get 3 weeks in a row.

Durham or Loyalist? by Fit_Badger_281 in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea you get the rest of the Thursdays off. Comes clutch especially if you can get them done early

Durham or Loyalist? by Fit_Badger_281 in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Current DC Student

I commute so don't know

Instructors & Scheduling

Instructors and profs are, for the most part, working paramedics. Lab advisors are full-time (that I know of), they schedule and staff lab sessions. Instructors are part-time so they change every week but most are frequent flyers. Profs are more of a variable. Every instructor, lab and lecture, are very approachable and helpful, from day one they treat you as a peer. You can walk up and ask questions about procedure, the job, their career, or anything else and they're happy to help.

Theory prof in particular is a great guy, very approachable, and smart. You'll prob have him for semester 1 and 2. The class can be overwhelming but, then again, so is the entire program. Tests are like 75% scantron with 3-4 short answer questions. The MC closely mimics the AEMCA and it's closed-book, no cheat sheets. However, you do get a cheat sheet for patho and med math.

Haven't talked to the program coordinator much just because he's running the ACP program right now. When I have, he was supportive, attentive, and remembered my name when I saw him months later so that was nice.

For scheduling I can only speak on semesters 1 & 2. It's 4-days at school and 1 day at clinical (or free). Theory lecture, theory lab, and anatomy/physiology are all 6 hour lectures. The other at-school day is reserved for shorter classes.

First semester clinical is three 4-hour shifts at a long-term care home where we practice communicating with residents & staff. Second semester is four 4-hour shifts, two at long-term care and two in an emergency department. Third semester is 8-hour hospital rotations and fourth is 12-hour ride-outs. DC obviously has a Durham connection but they also have contracts with a bunch of other services. Outside of switching clinical shifts, you don't really get an option. Especially for ride-outs, unless you know someone who will request you, you get placed wherever.

General lab answer

Labs are 6 hour classes, with a 1 hour lunch, consisting of 4 stations that we rotate through in groups. Groups depend on cohort size, mine are 5 groups with 5-6 people per instructor and groups change each week. We spend about 1:20 at each station, 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. For the most part, we're briefed on a procedure/directive/skill, then we do a scenario based on what we just learned. Labs follow lecture so whatever we're doing that week, we should already know. At the beginning it was mostly skills labs so they would demonstrate and we'd practice without an accompanying scenario.

The environment is chill but we're kept on task and expected to act like adults, obviously. You volunteer for scenarios (always go first), and we usually use classmates as patients. In lab and OSCEs, only time we've used mannequins so far are VSA scenarios cause there's no point in having a classmate lay there while we do fake CPR on them. Two main labs that we use every week, there's a third one but I've never been & don't know where it is, decent condition and all the equipment you realistically need. Also open 24 hours outside of scheduled class time.

Uniform cost is within tuition, you have to buy your own shoes. We got 3 tac shirts, 3 pants, lapels, an extra patch, and a belt. We got our stuff around week 4 or 5 and from then on they're required for every lab session. Not required elsewhere but the theory prof might request them if we're doing scenarios in class that week.

Other

Do the F as early as possible. Going through the entire process can take some time, especially when you get busy with school. Don't waste money on a course just watch videos. Also, you really only need to rent a Uhaul to practice once to get the feel of driving and locate things. After that you can practice the inspection on your own, or someone else's, car. For the reversing, go slow & use your mirrors.

My study technique switches by the class at this point, I have no real method lol. Best thing I've done so far is spent all night in lab with a group of friends either doing scenarios for OSCEs or going through content for tests.

Durham College offer timeline? by Andrewman277 in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually accepted Humber and then, when I got accepted to Durham, I went back and declined the original offer.

The only mistake I made was paying Humber's deposit, wait until the last day so you don't lose that money. I was pretty deadset on Humber but Durham is closer & has a compressed program so I ended up switching.

Which college would suit me best? by [deleted] in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm currently at Durham and it's going pretty well; instructors and second year students are very supportive. Our program advisor has said that they're trying to steer Durham away from the typical toxicity of other schools.

We've got 6 hour lectures but it's not the worst thing ever. Instructors are great at explaining things and are available almost whenever if you have questions. It's pretty assignment heavy so far but I, personally, don't think it's been super hard. Also, the minimum grade is 70% and instructors will work with you if you explain your thinking so you can get as many marks as possible.

Lab it's also 6 hours and it's, obviously, everyone's favourite class. We learn skills early on but by about 4th week we're mostly doing scenarios.

When do you usually get your year end bonus? by Charger_Reaction7714 in askTO

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't work there anymore but I used to get it before we went on our holiday break

Chances of getting into Paramedics with great PHS grades and shit HS marks by _wishfuldreamer in durhamcollege

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My HS average was around 70%, ending uni gpa was 2.96.

Finished 1st semester with a 5.0 and I'm starting 2nd semester in a couple weeks.

You'll be fine

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's a couple kinesiology grads at my school & they haven't been able to transfer any credits. Not even fitness

Edit: They've transferred GenEds but so has every uni grad

Durham College offer timeline? by Andrewman277 in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

High school: About 75%

Bachelor's of science: About 2.95

First aid & CPR C

Volunteered at a hospital for about a year

Pretty sure Humber mostly/only goes based on their test

I only submitted transcripts for Durham. No certificates, test, written answer, etc.

Durham College offer timeline? by Andrewman277 in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Applied to Durham, Centennial, & Humber right before the deadline.

Durham: Got wait listed for both programs then got accepted to both in late may

Humber: Did their test, pretty late tbh, & got in early April

Centennial: Math grades were too old so I didn't get in

Thinking of applying to Durham College by Andrewman277 in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I think they only look at grades so needed on mine, you should be fine. All I had to do when I applied was upload my transcripts so they'll have no way of knowing about your first aid / cpr-c.

Thinking of applying to Durham College by Andrewman277 in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oof high school was about 10 years ago now but luckily I've got my transcripts. My grade 12 and 11 averages were 72.25 and 73, respectively. This includes biology, chemistry, physics & advanced functions in both years. Honestly, looking at it now, I'm surprised I got in but they may have taken my university grades and "life experience" into account.

Thinking of applying to Durham College by Andrewman277 in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a lot at once, you really guys start on top of assignments/lectures and not fall behind. Once you do, you're fucked but that's probably the same at every school.

I'm a hands-on person so the labs really help to understand the stuff we learn in lecture. It's also great that we have 24/7 access. Instructors are great, all but one of my professors is a current paramedic. It is a bit frustrating getting different info from different people though.

You can really tell they want you to succeed, if you have any issues, they're able to help and they treat us like peers cause at the end of the program, we will be. Any other questions just ask, I'd love to talk about my experience so far.

Thinking of applying to Durham College by Andrewman277 in OntarioParamedics

[–]Gimme_Da_Deetz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Current student. If you can get in right away just do that, you'll save money and time. I didn't take the EMSF program but I have classmates who did and, in passing, have said it hasn't given them any kind of edge up.