ONTARIO PARAMEDIC ASSOCIATION: PROJECT 1 1

Ontario Paramedic Association: Project 1

Renée Gauthier

COMP 1703

October 11, 2020

Dan Barlow
ONTARIO PARAMEDIC ASSOCIATION: PROJECT 1 1

Contents
About Us..................................................................................................................................................................3

Code of Ethics..........................................................................................................................................................3

Privacy.....................................................................................................................................................................4

Introduction..........................................................................................................................................................4

Scope....................................................................................................................................................................4

What information we collect...............................................................................................................................5

How we use the information................................................................................................................................5

Disclaimer............................................................................................................................................................6
ONTARIO PARAMEDIC ASSOCIATION: PROJECT 1 1

About Us

Early in 1995, 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. We are not a labour union and membership

is always a choice.

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. Some of

the initiatives include the “OPA Queen's Park Lobby Days", “Send The Pros Campaign", and regular

participation on provincial and national EMS committees.

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 'Para-medicine' conferences have grown to become one of the premier Paramedic

education conferences in Canada.

The OPA has expanded its social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Here, the OPA

website features a variety of informational pages for the general public, paramedics, and of course, our

members. The website also includes a “store" where memberships, conference registrations and promotional

materials may be purchased, as well as a forum area for members to share ideas, consult fellow paramedics,

provide direction to the OPA Executive, and network.

Code of Ethics

The practice of Para-medicine 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.

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 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 wellbeing.

 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.

Privacy

Introduction

The Ontario Paramedic Association (OPA) respects your right to privacy as you visit our website.

We are committed to protecting privacy and confidentiality of your information. The following policy governs

the OPA's practices with respect to information obtained through this website.

Scope

This policy applies only to this website (http://www.ontarioparamedic.ca). It does not cover the practices

of other organizations or their websites, including those you may access through the links provided on the

OPA's homepage.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of all websites you visit, especially if you provide any

personal information.
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What information we collect

When you visit our website, we automatically collect some limited information. This is not personal

information and cannot directly identify a specific person. For example, we track the Internet Protocol (IP)

addresses or browser type of users who access our website. This is necessary for the operation and security of

our website.

At times, you may choose to give us your personal information. For example, we collect your email

address when you ask questions through info@ontarioparamedic.ca. This information is provided only to staff

and/or Directors who need it to respond to your request. Other personal information collected during the

membership registration process is for the OPA's internal use for statistical purposes and to provide you with

member services (such as mailing you your membership initiation package and copy of Canadian Para-medicine

magazine).

We may also use this website to conduct electronic consultations in which individuals or organizations

are invited to provide comments. If you send comments to us via the website, we will collect your comments

and your contact details for the purposes of the consultation concerned. If you do not wish us to collect and use

your comments in this way, please do not forward them.

In addition, we analyze non-identifiable website traffic data and collect cookies to improve our services.

A “cookie" is a piece of text that our webserver can store on your computer. The cookies we use log your

progress through the site and record how you accessed the site. They do not collect any personal information

about you or about any other use of your computer.

There are no persistent or third party site cookies such as banner ad tracking cookies on our website.

If you simply browse or download from our website, we do not collect any personal information.

How we use the information

We only use your personal information for the purposes for which you give it to us. We keep the

information for only as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it is collected.

We do not share your personal information with other organizations or individuals unless:
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 it is necessary to fulfill your request

 it is required or authorized by law

 it will prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to somebody's health or safety.

Disclaimer

Although we make every effort to ensure that all information posted on our website is accurate and

complete, we do not represent that it is so, or guarantee it, and accept no liability or obligation for accuracy or

completeness. We reserve the right to update the information as necessary without notice (Gauthier, 2017). You

should check the website from time to time for changes. If there is any discrepancy between information posted

on our website and the original paper version, the original paper document prevails. As this website is for

information purposes only, you should seek appropriate, qualified advice before acting or omitting to act based

upon any such information (Smith, J., Doe, J, 2012).

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References

Gauthier, R. (2017). Primary Source. ACME Ltd., Oshawa.

Smith, J., Doe, J. (2012). Project 1: Word. Journal of Computer Applications. 8 (2), 1-35.