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What They Do
Medical Technicians work with Medical Officers and Nursing Officers to treat the sick and injured in all kinds of Canadian Forces' operations and units.
A Medical Technician has the following primary duties:
- Provide initial care for patients
- In trauma cases, provide basic life support treatments
- Prescribe some medications in accordance with their scope of practice
- Provide medical support during environmental operations
- Recover casualties from the point of injury and transport them to a medical facility by wheeled or tracked ambulance, or by air
- Participate in rescues from crashed vehicles, tanks, ships, aircraft and damaged buildings
- Give basic advice on disease prevention, hygiene and sanitation
- Perform specific environmental health and preventive medicine duties
- Collect specimens and perform basic laboratory procedures
- Operate and maintain medical and life-support equipment
- Perform electrocardiograms and audiograms
- Initiate, maintain and distribute medical records, documents, reports and returns
- Maintain, replenish and account for general and medical supplies
Career Development
The starting salary for a fully-trained Medical Technician is $49,400 per year; however, depending on previous experience and training the starting salary may be higher. Medical Technicians who demonstrate the required ability dedication and potential are selected for opportunities for opportunities for career progression, promotion and specialist training, such as Operating Room Technician, Preventive Medicine Technician, Biomedical Electronic Technician or Aero-Medical Technician.
The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Forces physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.
After Basic Training, Army recruits go to a Military Training centre for the Soldier Qualification course for approximately one month, which covers the following topics:
- Army Physical Fitness
- Dismounted Offensive and Defensive Operations
- Reconnaissance Patrolling
- Advanced Weapons Handling
- Individual Field Craft
Medical Technicians attend the Canadian Forces Medical Service School in Borden, Ontario. The course takes 16 weeks and covers the following material:
- Delivering health care in the field
- Nursing medical and surgical patients in field conditions
- Use of therapeutic drugs
- Preventive medicine and
- Medical documentation
Medical Technicians then attend the Paramedic Academy of the Justice Institute of British Columbia in Chilliwack (for training offered in English), or the Ahuntsic College in Montréal, Quebec (for training offered in French). These courses are tailored to military requirements while meeting performance standards set by the Paramedic Association of Canada and approved by the Canadian Medical Association. Medical Technicians receive the professional credential of Primary Care Paramedic Level I.
Within their first 18 months of work, they are required to complete the Maintenance of Clinical Skills Program.
Medical Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:
- Operating Room Technician
- Preventive Medicine Technician
- Biomedical Electronic Technician
- Aero-Medical Technician
As they progress in their career, Medical Technicians who demonstrate the required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:
- Medical Supply
- Diving Medicine Technician
- Aero-Medical Evacuation
The minimum required education to apply for this position is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 12 or Secondaire V in Canada.
This position requires a valid driver’s license.
If you already have a college diploma and a Primary Care Paramedic Level I certificate, the Canadian Forces may place you directly into the any required on-the-job training program following basic training. Basic training and military occupation training is required before being assigned.
Non-commissioned Member Subsidized Education Program.
Because this position requires specialty training, the Canadian Forces will pay successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college. NCM SEP students attend basic training and on-the-job training during the summer months. They receive full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full-pay in exchange for working with the Canadian Forces for a period of time. If you choose to apply to this program, you must apply both to the Canadian Forces and the appropriate college. For more information, click on Paid College.
This position is available for part-time employment through the Reserves. Reservists generally work part-time for a Reserve unit in their community. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.
Reservists train with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required professional standards of the job. If additional training is required in order to specialize skills, arrangements will be made by the home unit.
It is also possible to set up an “Individual Learning Plan” to take courses leading to a college diploma related to this job, and upon successful completion, be reimbursed for up to 50% of tuition and other mandatory costs. Education fees for successfully completed courses are reimbursed as long as the student was a Reservist during the entire duration of the course.
Typically, Reservists work or train with their home unit for at least four evenings and one weekend per month, from September to May of each year. They are paid 85% of Regular Force rates of pay and receive a reasonable benefits package.
