Primary Care Paramedic (CONTRACT)

Join Our Mission at the Calgary Drop-In Centre

At the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre (the DI), we’re looking for passionate, community-minded people who know that kindness can change lives.

Whether you’re helping guests find housing, supporting their recovery journey, or keeping our operations running strong, your work here truly matters. Every role at the DI is about creating possibilities for others, and for yourself.

Who We Are

The Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre (the DI) is a low-barrier, housing-focused organization serving some of Calgary’s most vulnerable community members.

We believe everyone deserves dignity, safety, and the opportunity to thrive. Every day, our team meets people where they’re at — offering basic needs, compassion, and connection while helping them move toward stable, permanent housing.

Our work is guided by the principles of housing first, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented practice. But above all, we’re guided by people — their stories, their strengths, and their potential.

When you join the DI, you’re joining a team built on respect, collaboration, and heart.

The Opportunity

Position Title: Primary Care Paramedic
Reports To: Health & Recovery Services Leadership
Employment Type: Full Time (1.05FTE), 6-month Contract
Schedule: 48 hours per rotation, working four consecutive 12-hour shifts followed by four days off. Shifts switch between a full rotation of days (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) and a full rotation of nights (7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.)
Location: 1 Dermot Baldwin Way SE, Calgary, Alberta

About the Department

Urban Response is made up of two core programs: the Episodic Medical Care Clinic (EMCC or the Clinic) and Rapid Response Team (RRT). Together, these services provide timely, accessible, and person-centered healthcare to guests facing barriers to mainstream health services.

EMCC is a nurse-led clinic that offers a wide range of episodic health services, including wound care, Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI) testing and treatment, medication support, phlebotomy, assessments, mental health supports, health education and system navigation.

RRT is staffed by nurses and paramedics who respond to medical emergencies in the Emergency Shelter – emergencies most commonly being drug poisonings. The RRT team provides on-site assessment and intervention, monitoring guests until they either stabilize or require transfer to acute care.

What You’ll Do

Every role at the DI makes a difference. In this position, you will:

• Make a meaningful impact on the health and wellbeing of DI clients by delivering skilled, compassionate primary care paramedic services, exercising clinical judgment and practicing to the full scope of individual competence in alignment with Alberta College of Paramedics standards and DI policies. Working collaboratively with Health & Recovery Services leadership, this role helps ensure safe, responsive, and compassionate care that supports positive health outcomes for individuals served by the DI.
• Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment by delivering culturally responsive, trauma-informed, client-centered support that recognizes the impacts of privilege, power, and systemic barriers to promote equitable and meaningful client outcomes.
• Drive positive client health outcomes by conducting comprehensive assessments, developing and adapting individualized care plans, and delivering proactive follow-up care. Through disease management, health promotion, and continuous quality improvement initiatives, this role helps enhance the effectiveness, accessibility, and overall quality of care provided to DI clients.
• Support excellence in client care and service delivery by maintaining accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation in organizational databases, including the DI Guestbook, Electronic Medical Records (EMR), and referral systems, ensuring compliance with DI policies, professional standards, and best practices in healthcare documentation.
• Contribute to a collaborative and client-focused environment by supporting frontline operations, delivering engaging health education on preventative care and wellness, and building strong relationships across DI teams to strengthen communication, enhance cross-program collaboration, and improve client outcomes.

What You Bring

We know that great people come from all kinds of backgrounds. You don’t have to check every single box! If you’re passionate about helping others and share our values, we want to hear from you.

What we need from you

• Completion of an accredited Primary Care Paramedic program. Proof of completion required.
• Registration with the Alberta College of Paramedics. Proof of registration, in good standing with no restrictions or conditions, required.
• Valid Professional Liability Insurance. Proof of coverage required.
• Current CPR – BLS or willingness to obtain within probationary period. Proof of certification required within 90 days of employment.
• Have at minimum a working understanding of Trauma Informed Care.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the epidemiology of addiction, homelessness, mental health and acute medical concerns, and able to maintain active learning on emerging evidence and best practices.
• Well-developed interpersonal, conflict resolution and negotiating skills.
• Excellent communications skills, both oral and written.
• Computer skills including familiarity with word processing, electronic medical records (EMRs), and Internet.
• Ability to provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check
• A genuine commitment to the mission, vision, values, and work of the agency.

Nice to Have’s

• 1-2 years of paramedic experience is an asset, preferably within the addictions and mental health field, and/or the homeless servicing system of care.
• Lived experience an asset but not a requirement. We ask that those with lived experience are two or more years in their recovery, less may be considered if ALL other aspects are met.
• Resourcefulness and knowledge of community resources and social support systems.

Working at the DI

Working at the Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI) means being part of meaningful, human-centered work that can sometimes involve complex and emotionally charged situations. You may encounter individuals experiencing crisis, distress, or strong emotions, and situations that require calm, quick thinking, and compassion under pressure.

We know this work can be intense and we also know it’s deeply impactful. That’s why we prioritize staff wellbeing through training, peer and supervisory support, debriefing opportunities, and a strong culture of teamwork. Our environment calls for resilience and steadiness, but it also offers the reward of seeing real change and connection every day. Some roles may also involve occasional exposure to medical distress or bodily fluids, and safety protocols and resources are always in place to support you.

Compensation & Benefits

We believe in taking care of our people so they can take care of others. Our total rewards package includes:

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits
• Employer-matching RRSP program
• Paid vacation, sick, and wellness days
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (Homewood EFAP)
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Onsite Parking

Benefits typically begin on the first of the month following your start date, and our P&C team will ensure you have clear information and support from day one.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

Joining the DI means joining a community that believes in people and their capacity, resilience, and worth. You’ll have the chance to:

• Make a tangible difference in people’s lives every single day
• Work with a team that values respect, compassion, and authenticity
• Collaborate with dedicated professionals and community partners
• Be part of an organization that encourages growth, wellbeing, and innovation

You’ll play a key role in supporting an integrated, person-centered approach that promotes wellbeing, dignity, and connection for every individual we serve. At the Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI), our team members help create safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed spaces where people can access the support they need to move toward stability and housing. In every interaction, you’ll contribute to high-quality, compassionate service that reflects the shared mission, vision, and values of the DI.

Inclusion & Accessibility

At the Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI), we believe inclusion, compassion, and respect make us stronger as an organization and as a community. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of the people we serve.

If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please contact [email protected] and we’ll be happy to support you.

Ready to Apply?

If this opportunity sounds like the right fit, we’d love to meet you.

Please apply with your resume and cover letter here.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about working at the DI, please visit our website here.