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Canadian officials say advanced-care paramedics likely to debut next year

Advanced-care paramedics have completed additional training that allows them to perform enhanced life-saving procedures

The Canadian Press

FREDERICTON, Canada — The organization that issues licences to paramedics across New Brunswick has been given the green light to recognize advanced-care paramedics.

But officials with the Paramedic Association of New Brunswick believe it will probably be February before they’re ready to test and license them.

The licensing is necessary before they can seek employment with Ambulance NB or in private health-care positions across the province.

Advanced-care paramedics have completed additional training that allows them to perform enhanced life-saving procedures and administer a wide variety of medications at the scene of a call or in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

Chris Hood, executive director of the paramedic association, says Ambulance NB is completing logistical work to figure out how the paramedics will best be utilized across the service.

In October, officials with the paramedic association made changes to its bylaws to accommodate the licensing of advanced-care paramedics in New Brunswick.

Two weeks ago, Hood said the association received a letter from Health Minister Madeleine Dube that approved those changes.

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