In 2020, Med Tech and Med A entered an occupational analysis to address various employment structure problems. These included inefficient training, misalignment between paramedic competencies and job requirements, total force misalignment, and an expanding Med Tech role which negatively affected personnel generation. As a result, a decision was made to deactivate the Med Tech and Med A occupations and create two new occupations: Paramedic (PMD) and Combat Medic (CMD). The resulting occupations are total force (meaning that Regular Force and Reserve Force members are trained for the same standards for the same tasks) and address the other problems and challenges identified in the occupational analysis.
The role of the Combat Medic will be to treat trauma at the Point of Injury, and stabilize and move the casualty for further treatment. Initial occupational training will consist of a combination of Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), supplemented with additional Military Medicine training. Following this training, the CMD will be posted to a unit supporting the land environment to further develop their skills. Upon promotion to Corporal (Cpl), the CMD will complete training in Primary Care and be eligible for jobs within CF H Svcs Centres.
The role of the Paramedic will be to treat initial trauma, improve upon stabilization, and transport casualties to higher levels of care, as required. Initial training will include a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) diploma and a military medicine top-up. The PMD will be required to maintain PCP licensure in a Canadian province or territory throughout their career. Upon completion of their initial training, the PMD will be promoted to Cpl and employed in positions supporting the land environment to further develop their skills. Over time, the PMD may be posted to positions in support of the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.
Planning implementation of the new occupations has been underway for over a year with the support of a small Directorate of Health Services Personnel implementation team. Current Med Techs and Med As were required to elect under Compulsory Occupational Transfer (COT) to one of the two new occupations in fall 2024.
The CFHS is excited to launch these new occupations on 30 June 2025. With distinct identities, scopes of practice, and occupational training, these new occupations will bolster personnel availability and create a larger pool of pre-hospital providers who can be employed across the full spectrum of CAF operations.
