Introduction
Mission Statement
Goals
Code of Ethics
Privacy Policy
Comments
Introduction
Early in 11005, a steering committee of Paramedics began the ambitious task of creating a legal and administrative structure for the Ontario Paramedic Association. This professional association is a registered 'not for profit' organization representing Paramedics across the province.
Since its formation, the OPA has worked to enhance the professional image of paramedics, to improve communications between paramedics, and to lobby for improvements to the standards of patient care.
The OPA Listserver, which is graciously provided by the
SmartRisk Foundation, has been an important resource for members to share ideas, consult fellow paramedics, provide direction to the OPA Executive, and network.
The 'OPA News' is a bi-monthly newsletter published in Canadian Emergency News magazine and is sent to all members as part of their membership package.
In 2001, the OPA held its first provincial conference focusing on education & networking for paramedics. The OPA's 'Paramedicine' conferences have become the premier EMS conference in Ontario and continue to grow each year.
Here, the OPA website features a variety of informational pages for the general public, paramedics, and of course, our members.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide leadership for Paramedics
and to promote the art and science of Paramedicine.
We serve Paramedics and their patients by advocating
the highest ethical, educational, and clinical standards
for the profession of Paramedicine.
Goals
-
to promote the highest standard of care for our
patients
-
to represent the professional interests of all
Paramedics in Ontario
-
to pursue self-regulation under the Regulated
Health Professions Act
*COMPLETED*
-
to assist academic institutions
to develop Paramedic education which is relevant,
comprehensive and
accredited
-
to facilitate research and continuing
medical education
-
to raise public awareness about
the role of Paramedics and the different levels
of care
that fall within
the scope of Paramedicine
-
to take an active
role in the development and promotion of programs
within the community
that serve to
reduce and/or prevent injury or illness
-
to
work collectively with government agencies, Base
Hospitals, ambulance owner/operators,
unions, other
health care professions and the
public to promote the highest level of care
for
all
people
Code of Ethics
The practice of Paramedicine requires knowledge and
compassion, along with concern and sensitivity for
the well being of the patient. In keeping with this
philosophy, every Paramedic shall:
-
Maintain certification with their respective
ambulance services and the governing base hospital(s).
-
Conserve life, alleviate pain and suffering
and promote health.
-
Provide care based on human need with respect
for human dignity, unrestricted by consideration
of nationality, race, creed, colour, status, sex,
religion,
sexual orientation, type of illness, or mental
or physical disability.
-
Without fail, protect and maintain the patient's
safety, dignity and privacy.
-
Preserve and protect the confidentiality of
any information, either medical or personal, acquired
through professional contact with a patient, except
where the disclosure of such information is necessary
to the treatment of the patient and the safety
of other health care professionals or is required
by the employer
or the law.
-
Not use professional knowledge, skills, equipment
or pharmaceuticals in any enterprise detrimental
to the profession or the public well being.
-
During the performance of her/his duties he
or she will conduct themselves In a manner that
will reflect credit upon the profession
-
Encourage the trust and confidence of the
public through high standards of professional practice,
conduct, competence and appearance.
OPA Privacy
Policy
RESPECTING YOUR PRIVACY IS IMPORTANT TO
US
The Ontario Paramedic Association is committed to
maintaining your trust and confidence. The following
privacy policy is designed to protect personal
information you provide on our website. Please take the
time to read this policy. Your right to privacy is very
important to us.
Collecting Personal Information
The purpose of our website is to educate and inform our
members & the public about issues relating to the
profession of Paramedicine. When you visit this site and
access information, you are anonymous. We do not require
you to provide personal information to view it.
However, when you register for membership or purchase
OPA Gear, we will ask for additional information. We do
this to keep in touch with you through newsletters or
email and provide you with services that may be valuable
to you. We also need to be able to send you payment
receipts.
Use of Information:
Email addresses
The Ontario Paramedic Association never trades or sells
email addresses. We use them only to provide you with
information.
Credit Card Data and Security
Purchases & Membership payments made through our website
are secured through 128-bit encryption to maintain your
privacy. This encryption process is currently the most
secure available.
Membership registrations may also be made by printing
out the
online form and mailing it to:
1840 Lansdowne St W, PO Box 21016
Peterborough, ON
K9J 8M7
Links
To provide users with more information on various
issues, we often provide links to third-party websites.
However, we do not control those websites or necessarily
endorse their viewpoints.
Cookies
"Cookies" are bits of information sent to your computer
from a website through your browser program. Cookies
help you access pages faster and allow our server to
recognize you as you move from page to page. If you
choose not to accept cookies, some sections of our site
may take longer to load.
The Ontario Paramedic Association only reads cookies
specifically written for our site and does not use
cookies to track a user's internet history on other
sites.
Newsletters and Mailings
Our newsletter is published bi-monthly in Canadian
Emergency News. If you wish to stop receiving our
mailings, please call Member Services at (888) 672-5463
or write to
sboughton@ontarioparamedic.ca.
Policy Updates and Changes
Because of the fast-changing nature of the online medium
and the world around us, the Ontario Paramedic
Association may
change this policy from time to time. Changes may occur
without warning and they will be reflected on this page.
Comments
We welcome comments and
questions about the OPA. Please call Member Services
at (888) 672-5463 or write to
sboughton@ontarioparamedic.ca.
Written comments may also be sent to our
mailing address:
Ontario Paramedic Association
1840 Lansdowne St W, PO Box 21016
Peterborough, ON
K9J 8M7
>> Return to Top
|
