Ornge hires four Cambrian College graduates to serve in Northern Communities

First Ornge partnership with a community college is benefitting Ontario patients

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Ornge, Ontario's provider of air ambulance and related services, is proud to announce the employment of four Cambrian College Advanced Care Flight Paramedic (ACP-F) graduates. The graduates, who will be stationed in Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay and Timmins, help Ornge ensure that a high level of care is available to patients in Ontario.

Through this partnership with Ornge, Cambrian College began delivering the one-year Advanced Care Paramedic program in October 2014. The program combines ACP land and flight theory, simulation and clinical aspects, providing a unique opportunity for primary care paramedics (PCP) to become certified for either ACP land, or a combination of ACP land/ACP-Flight (ACP-F).

"Working at Ornge allows me to bring high-quality Emergency Room (ER) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) care to patients in Northern Ontario," says David Cocchiarella, ACP-F in Kenora. "Cambrian's Advanced Care Flight program provided me with an excellent foundation of theoretical education, hi-fidelity simulation, clinical exposure and field exposure that I can build upon throughout my career with Ornge."

Unique among Ontario Colleges, the flight component of Cambrian's ACP program provides graduates with increased opportunities for employment.

"Partnering with Ornge to add flight theory to our program, ensures program relevance and provides an avenue for curriculum enhancements, quality assurance and employment readiness," says Brad Roney, paramedic program coordinator and professor. "Our graduates enjoy an excellent reputation in the field because they have advanced skills that enable them to treat and transport patients in need of medical and trauma care."

This year, the maximum 14 students are enrolled in the program, and they will benefit from practice on 4 new defibrillators, a new ventilator and further improvements to lab space and scenario rooms.

Applicants to the ACP-F program must hold a Canadian Medical Association-accredited two-year Ontario College PCP diploma, or be a graduate of an Ontario PCP program as outlined by the Paramedic Association of Canada and the National Occupational Competency Profile for Paramedicine. They must also be a provincially-certified PCP and successfully complete a Cambrian College entrance exam. Upon completion of their program of study, students must pass an evaluation and a final board examination.

About Ornge
Ornge, a not-for-profit organization, co-ordinates all aspects of Ontario's air ambulance system, the critical care land transport program, paediatric transport program and the authorization of air and land ambulance transfers between hospitals.

About Cambrian College
Cambrian College has been a leading postsecondary institution in northern Ontario from the time its first classes were held in 1967. The College has a vibrant community of more than 11,000 full- and part-time learners and offers 80 full-time and nearly 900 part-time courses/programs. It provides programming at three campuses and online, serving a student population that is reflective of the rich diversity of today's global workplaces.

SOURCE Ornge

Image with caption: "David Cocchiarella, Ornge Advanced Care Flight Paramedic (CNW Group/Ornge)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151112_C5091_PHOTO_EN_543175.jpg

Ornge, [phone], 1-888-229-8115, [email protected]; Brad Roney, Program Coordinator and Professor, Paramedic Programs, Cambrian College, [phone], extension 6320, [email protected]