As part of the yearly maintenance of certification requirements, each Paramedic must successfully complete an Annual Practice Review. The APR consists of an 8 hour day which may include, but not limited to, any of the following:

• a didactic presentation
• scenario work/skill stations
• written evaluation

The skill stations are largely peer review format, with focus on skill completion, recollection and application of CPER Medical Directives and related pathophysiology. The peer review skill station format will encourage both active and passive learning as both a participant and evaluator. Aspects of skill demonstration, Medical Directive association and a review of pathological processes allow the learner to examine a particular condition or skill from a variety of angles.

The scenario component will focus on critical thinking and decision making. Scenarios are designed such that the focus will be on thorough assessment and critical thinking prior to any initiation of treatment.
The format for the APRs are authorized by Medical Council and addresses problem based learning strategies while minimizing negative external motivation thus allowing a real time remediation of any potential patient management concerns.

The Education team at the CPER consists of Paramedic Educators and casual part-time instructors and work closely with CPER's Quality Development and Medical Council.

Paramedic Educators have a vast amount of experience as paramedics and in education delivery to paramedics. They bring an immense amount of knowledge and resources that will allow CPER to provide the best service to the Service Operators and paramedics in our catchment area.

Services provided by the Paramedic Educators include:

• Liaison for Service Operators and Paramedics
• Development and delivery of Continuing Medical Education (CME) through “face to face” education and electronic delivery formats.
• Develop and deliver Annual Practice Review to the Paramedics in our Region.
• Delivery of education on Auxiliary Medical Directives .
• The development and implementation of an educational plan for the Region linked to Continuous Quality Improvement initiatives.
• Paramedic Remediation
• Initial Certification coordination and evaluation for ACPs and PCPs.

In order to perform delegated medical acts in the province of Ontario, Paramedics must be certified by a Regional Base Hospital Program (RBHP). The Centre for Paramedic Education and Research (CPER) provides such certification for Paramedics at the Primary and Advanced Care levels for a total of 9 EMS Service Operators in the Western Region of the province.

In order to receive initial certification, Paramedics must have successfully completed all requirements of a recognized Paramedic Program, and be in receipt of supporting documentation. Each Paramedic must also successfully complete the provincial certification exam at their respective level of care, as well as successfully complete an initial certification event conducted by an RBHP.

Paramedics attending a CPER certification event can expect to be evaluated on their ability to apply the provincial Medical Directives safely and effectively. Evaluation methods may include, but are not limited to, high fidelity simulation scenarios, skills stations, candidate interviews, and/or written evaluations.