Essex-Windsor EMS Recruitment Guide

Recruitment Team

Lead by the Manager of Administration, the recruitment team includes representatives from Professional Standards, Operations, Planning and Physical Resources, Human Resources, Scheduling and Administration.

Purpose

This document will serve as a guiding document for all Essex-Windsor EMS Part-Time Paramedic Recruitment candidates.

Essex-Windsor EMS follows equal opportunity and fair hiring practices when filling positions, and to ensure the success of our service, hires only the most qualified individuals. Essex-Windsor EMS has adopted this strategy so that all employees and potential candidates are fairly and consistently considered for employment opportunities.

Recruitment is fluid and changes with time. This document and the processes described within are subject to amendment, as required.

Contact Stream

The primary form of contact from Essex-Windsor EMS takes place by email from the @countyofessex.ca domain. Applicants are encouraged to add this domain to their ‘safe senders’ list. Candidates will receive emails at every successful stage using this domain.

Recruitment

The recruitment for Part-Time Paramedics will include the following:

• Ready to Work! Graduates of an approved Ontario College Paramedic Program who are AEMCA Certified or Pending
  (Stream 1)
  
  

• Secure your Future Today! Guaranteed conditional job placement upon graduation for successful applicants graduating in 2025 (Stream 2)

Employment start date will be determined by eligibility and status.

Phase 1 – Application and Initial Screening

Qualified applicants will be invited to apply to the part-time paramedic campaign by submitting their application online or by delivering their application package in person to the Essex-Windsor EMS Headquarters located at the Essex Civic Centre, Suite 218, 360 Fairview Avenue West, Essex, Ontario, N8M 1Y6.

All application packages will be date and time-stamped and delivered to the Manager of Administration for review.

Phase 2 – Interviews 

Candidates successful in Phase 1 will be invited to participate in the interview process. Interviews will consist of assessments on the following:

• Critical Thinking - This will assess the candidate’s skills at identifying problems and developing optimal solutions using logic.
• Professionalism - This will assess the candidate’s level of excellence or competence expected in the profession. It will identify attributes like empathy, commitment to high standards, teamwork and positive attitude.
• Interpersonal skills - This will assess the candidate’s relationship skills and identify how they will interact with others. This will focus on active listening and effective speaking.
• Ethical decision making - This will assess the candidate’s moral standards and values. Questions or scenarios will be focused around the candidate’s decision making and problem-solving abilities.

Phase 3 – Practical Knowledge

This will assess the candidate’s practical skills and knowledge through scenario-based questioning.

Candidates will participate in an in-person assessment with our Professional Standards team.

Phase 4 – Conditional Job Offers

Conditional job offers will be delivered electronically to all successful candidates within 2-weeks from the date of the Interview (subject to change).

Stream 1:

Candidates will be required to submit all accepted conditional job offers within 5-days of receipt of offer, along with the documents outlined in the Review of Documentation table below.

Stream 2:

Candidates will be required to submit all accepted conditional job offers within 5-days of receipt of offer.

Conditional offers will be valid for 6-months from the date of offer.

Commencement in the position will be contingent on completion and submission of all required items outlined in the Phases below.

Phase 5 – Submission of Documentation

All documents must be hand-delivered in their original form to the EMS Headquarters at Essex Civic Centre, Suite 218, 360 Fairview Avenue West, Essex, Ontario, N8M 1Y6.

Documents can be delivered on a ‘drop in’ basis (no appointment required). Originals will be verified, copied, and returned to the candidate in real-time. Please allow 30 minutes for review and processing. Our administrative team will review and advise of any outstanding items, or items that need correction/updating.

Documentation must be valid and successfully submitted prior to commencing orientation and training.

Please see “Review of Documentation” section below for specifics.

Phase 6 – Paramedic Physical Abilities Evaluation

Successful completion of the Paramedic Physical Abilities Test from one of two EWEMS recognized providers (OPPAT or Medic Strong).

Evaluation results are valid for 6 months.

Please visit the following websites for additional information:

• Ottawa Paramedic Physical Abilities Test website
• Medic Strong website

Phase 7 – Base Hospital

Candidates will be assessed by our local base hospital and will participate in a mandatory orientation and testing, as required.

Candidates will be required to receive local base hospital certification in order to be eligible for employment.

Phase 8 - Orientation and Training

Candidates will participate in a mandatory in-depth service orientation and training program. Attendance is compulsory.

Candidates will be required to pass every portion of the orientation and training program in order to be eligible for employment.

Length of orientation and training will vary by stream and candidate volume.

Phase 9 – Ride-outs

Candidates will participate in a 2-week ride-out period. Attendance is mandatory. Candidates will be required to participate in the ride-out sessions in order to be eligible for employment.

Phase 10 – Successful commencement!

Candidates will commence their active employment as part-time paramedics under the terms of the collective agreement and the policies of the County of Essex and Essex-Windsor EMS once all phases of the recruitment process have been completed and all conditions of employment have been met.

IMPORTANT -- Review of Documentation

Failure to submit documentation within the timelines listed in the table below may result in the candidate’s removal from the recruitment process.

All documents must be hand-delivered in their original form to the Essex Civic Centre, Suite 218, 360 Fairview Avenue West, Essex, Ontario, N8M 1Y6.

Documents can be delivered on a ‘drop in’ basis (no appointment required). Originals will be verified, copied, and returned to the candidate in real-time. Please allow 30 minutes for review and processing. Our administrative team will review and advise of any outstanding items, or items that need correction/updating.

Document	Information	Submission Timelines
Ontario Driver’s License	Class F required upon hire.	Presented at Phase 2, submitted at Phase 5.
Community College Diploma, Paramedic Discipline	Recent graduates may provide verification letter from Program Coordinator/Registrar	Phase 5.
A-EMCA certificate	Temporary exemptions apply to A-EMCA pending or graduates.	Phase 5.
CPR certification	Minimum Basic Rescuer level, within 1 year from date of issue.	Phase 5.
Valid documentation for allowable entry into the US.	Passport and/or Nexus are acceptable. Must also provide applicable Visa, if required.	Phase 5.
Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check	Including search of the Pardoned Sexual Offender Database.	Phase 5 (Criminal Record Check must not be dated greater than 90 days. Processing times vary - proof of submission is acceptable as temporary compliance while awaiting processing times.)
Immunology Report	Completed and signed by a physician, along with serology reports required for Varicella, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Hepatitis B.	Phase 5. Will be reviewed by the administrative team for compliance.
Base Hospital Information	Current provincially certified paramedics are required to identify their MOHLTC Ambulance Services Identification Card (OASIS) number and local base hospital	Information to be submitted with signed conditional offer of employment.
Base Hospital Symptom Relief and Defibrillation Certification	Successful completion for all those who do not have a transferable base hospital certification.	Candidates will be notified of testing dates by the EWEMS Professional Standards Department.

Document	Information	Submission Timelines
Ontario Driver’s License	Class F required upon hire.	Presented at Phase 2, submitted at Phase 5.
Community College Diploma, Paramedic Discipline	Recent graduates may provide verification letter from Program Coordinator/Registrar	Accompanying signed offer letter.
A-EMCA certificate	Temporary exemptions apply to A-EMCA pending or graduates.	Accompanying signed offer letter.
CPR certification	Minimum Basic Rescuer level, within 1 year from date of issue.	Accompanying signed offer letter.
Valid documentation for allowable entry into the US.	Passport and/or Nexus are acceptable. Must also provide applicable Visa, if required.	Accompanying signed offer letter.
Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check	Including search of the Pardoned Sexual Offender Database.	Accompanying signed offer letter (must not be dated greater than 90 days. Processing times vary).
Immunology Report	Completed and signed by a physician, along with serology reports required for Varicella, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Hepatitis B.	Accompanying signed offer letter. Will be reviewed by the administrative team for compliance.
Additional Immunology	Completed and signed by a physician or designate.	Should the government establish criteria for a virus protocol, candidates would be required to show compliance with any immunization requirements (accompanying signed offer letter).
Base Hospital Information	Current provincially certified paramedics are required to identify their MOHLTC Ambulance Services Identification Card (OASIS) number and local base hospital.	Accompanying signed offer letter.
Base Hospital Symptom Relief and Defibrillation Certification	Successful completion for all those who do not have a transferable base hospital certification.	Candidates will be notified of testing dates by the EWEMS Professional Standards Department.

Employment Highlights

Some key provisions governing paramedic employment are as follows:

1. Hours of Work

As scheduled and in conjunction with the Collective Agreement and the EWEMS Part-time Scheduling Policy. Shifts consist of between 4 to 12 hours, including days nights, holidays, and weekends.

EWEMS recognizes part-time paramedics may work for alternate primary employers and offers flexible scheduling options upon receipt of employment verification letter.

Please see the Part Time Scheduling Opportunities on our paramedic recruitment website for further information.

2. Paid Holidays
You may be eligible for public holiday pay if you do not work on the following public holidays and if you also satisfy any requirement stipulated in the Employment Standards Act:

Paid Holidays

Family Day	Thanksgiving Day
Good Friday	Remembrance Day
Easter Monday	Christmas Eve Day
Victoria Day	Christmas Day
Canada Day	Boxing Day
Civic Holiday	New Year's Eve Day
Truth and Reconciliation Day	Two Floating Days

3. Recognition of Prior Service:

EWEMS wishes to recognize qualified and practicing paramedics from other regions, who are choosing to dedicate themselves in changing their primary work for Essex-Windsor EMS. New paramedics who can successfully verify previous active service will be recognized for both wage and vacation benefits upon hire (you do not have to wait for your probationary period to expire!). Conditions apply.

4. Shift Premium

Consists of $0.85 per hour for all hours worked during a shift that commences between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.

5. Vacation
Part-time Paramedics receive payment, as part of their regular bi-weekly pay, for vacation earned, corresponding to their years of service.

6. Probationary Period
New Paramedic employees are regarded as probationary employees for the first 2080 hours worked or twelve (12) months, whichever occurs last.

7. Pension and Benefits

When you work for Essex-Windsor EMS, you will enjoy a competitive total rewards package including generous benefits and participation in the OMERS pension plan.

View our Salary and Benefits page for more detailed information.

8. Wages for Paramedics

The CUPE 2974.2 Paramedic Wage Grid is outlined below:

Wages For Primary Care Paramedics

Year	1	2	3	4	5
2023-09-05	$37.06	$38.69	$40.32	$41.92	$43.54
2024-04-01	$37.62	$39.27	$40.92	$42.55	$44.19
2024-10-07	$38.33	$40.01	$41.68	$43.34	$45.00
2025-04-01	$38.90	$40.61	$42.31	$43.99	$45.68
2025-10-06	$39.63	$41.37	$43.09	$44.80	$46.52

Wages for Advanced Care Paramedics

Year	1	2	3	4	5
2023-09-05	$39.29	$41.03	$42.72	$44.45	$46.16
2024-04-01	$39.88	$41.65	$43.36	$45.12	$46.85
2024-10-07	$40.73	$42.52	$44.26	$46.05	$47.80
2025-04-01	$41.34	$43.16	$44.92	$46.74	$48.52
2025-10-06	$42.21	$44.06	$45.84	$47.69	$49.50