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Medic Strong Inc
Paramedic Functional Abilities Test
(PFAT™)
What is PFAT™?
Physical evaluations are considered an essential component of the hiring process for many Paramedic and Emergency Medical Services in Ontario. The Paramedic Functional Abilities Test (PFAT™) was created by paramedics, for paramedics with the guidance of physiotherapists.
Developing the PFAT™
Physical evaluation tests (PETs) are considered an essential component of the hiring process for many Paramedic and Emergency Medical Services in Ontario. The Paramedic Functional Abilities Test (PFAT™) is a research based job simulated evaluation created by paramedics, for paramedics with the guidance of physiotherapists.
The PFAT™ was created with the following standards:
Expert Opinions
Meeting The Current Educational Standard
Roundtable Feedback/ Paramedic Consensus
Analysis Of Most Common Job Specific Tasks
Legally Defensible
Easily Implemented
Expert Opinions
Advanced and Primary Care Paramedics
Physiotherapists: sports and exercise medicine, acute care, orthopaedics, pelvic health
Physician: Dr. Deji Akinlaja
Legally Defensible
Based on the 1999 Meiorin Supreme Court Case
Roundtable Feedback/ Paramedic Consensus
EMS survey
Paramedic Discussion Group
Analysis Of Most Common Job Specific Tasks
The PFAT™ primary developer (Jamieson Gemmell) is a practicing full-time advanced care paramedic. This provides a unique insight as to what tasks are truly realistic and common through years of experience
Amanda Gemmell has many years of experience in treating paramedics. Understanding not only how these tasks are performed, but the rehabilitation when things 'go wrong' on the job was key to developing the PFAT™.
Meeting The Current Education Standard
The PFAT™ meets current Ontario Educational Standards followed by Ontario Colleges
Compliant with the National Occupational Competency Profile for Paramedics (NOCP’s): under sections 3.1 and 3.2
Easily Implemented
The PFAT™ has been designed to be as objective as possible, minimizing the impact of personal bias or subjective interpretations. Once administered and scored, the results are clear and straightforward to interpret
Applicants are paired with two experienced, practicing paramedics. One paramedic will be a lifting partner during certain sections of the test while is scoring.
Proudly Accepted By
Middlesex-London EMS
Elgin - St. Thomas EMS
Essex-Windsor EMS
Chatham-Kent EMS
Lambton County EMS
Oneida Paramedic
Halton Region EMS
Hamilton Paramedic
Peel Regional EMS
Region of Waterloo EMS
Our Team
A team of practicing, evidence based, healthcare professionals focused on the integration of current research and clinical expertise for the delivery of optimal and effective healthcare.
Jamieson and Amanda Gemmell are twin siblings who sought out to provide a local functional abilities test that examines the most commonly performed tasks of a paramedic.
Jamieson Gemmell is a practicing Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) for Essex-Windsor EMS & recipient of the Essex-Windsor EMS 2020 Mentor of Year award. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Paramedicine in 2022. Additionally Jamieson teaches at St. Clair College as a Paramedic Instructor.
Amanda Gemmell is a registered physiotherapist who specializes in treating pelvic health and orthopaedic conditions at her private practice. She earned her BA in Biology at Faulkner University in 2015 while playing varsity soccer on a scholarship. Amanda completed her Master of Science in Physical Therapy at Queens University in 2017. Currently, she serves as an international teaching assistant for post-graduate pelvic health courses and is a co-owner of Sport Medicine Physiotherapy in Windsor, ON.
FAQ
How much is the test?
$350 CAD +
When should I arrive?
Arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. Applicants are scheduled in groups throughout the day
How long is the test?
The test must be completed in under 20 minutes from start to finish. Applicants who exceed 20 minutes do not pass
When do I get my results?
You will receive an email of your pass/fail results within 72 hours of completing the PFAT
How do future employers/services get my results?
Official results will then be sent to the Service(s) that you selected when you filled out the intake form.
Who will be administering my test?
An experienced, practicing paramedic will be administering your test
How does scoring work?
The instructions that are provided will be the same for every candidate in order to keep the test standard. Each station will have physical components of the job with a strict score system of minor, major, and critical errors. A combination of minor and major errors or a single critical error can result in an unsuccessful test
What if I don’t pass?
You are eligible to re-take the PFAT after an unsuccessful attempt at the next available test day
How can I fail the PFAT?
- Exceeding the 20 minute time limit.
- A combination of minor and/or major error or a single critical error (compromising safety) can result in an unsuccessful test
Who will my lifting partner be?
Your lifting partner will be an experienced, working paramedic
Which services accept Medic Strong’s PFAT?
To Medic Strong’s knowledge, the following services accept the PFAT:
- Essex-Windsor EMS
- Chatham-Kent EMS
- Middlesex-London Paramedic Service
- Lambton County EMS
- Elgin EMS
- Oneida Nation of the Thames Paramedic Service
- Hamilton Paramedic Service
- Halton Region Paramedic Services
- Peel Regional Paramedic Services
- Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services
Please be aware that this may not be an inclusive list, as some services may accept the PFAT without directly updating Medic Strong.
