Emergency Medical Responder - EMR

The Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course is an entry-level Paramedic course that will prepare individuals for employment in a variety of pre-hospital, industrial and first responder settings. The EMR course is designed to provide participants with the basic knowledge and skills to be able to manage any medical and trauma related emergency.

We have now been running this EMR course for almost 6 years and our students have had great success with many going on to take their Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) course and full-time employment with the BC Ambulance Service. Many have gone on to working in the gas and oil Industry in Northern BC and Alberta. Come join in on your success!

The course has been designed by the Academy of Emergency Training to meet or exceed the National Occupational Competency Profiles (NOCP) for Emergency Medical Responder, as developed by the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC). In addition the EMR is accepted as by WorkSafe BC as equivalent to the Occupational First Aid Level 3 certificate.

The EMR course also meets the requirements as a prerequisite for the Emergency Medical Assistant Licensing Board (EMALB) licensing practical and written exams in BC. Once licensed by EMA Licensing, the EMR license issued by EMA Licensing is valid for a period of five year provided that the Continuing Medical Education (CME) and required patient contacts are maintained throughout the license period.

To prepare students for the licensing exams, we use final exam scenarios that were written by a former licensing examiner for EMA Licensing here in BC.

Once you are licensed in BC or Alberta we can help to to achieve licensing in the other jurisdiction as well without further testing.

The EMR course is 16 days in length inclusive of certification evaluations. The full-time course is delivered Monday through Friday over a three week period plus an OFA 3 exam day on the Saturday following the second Friday of the course.

Students are accepted for enrollment by meeting the course prerequisites. Maximum enrollment is 18 participants per class.

Instructors in the EMR course are experienced educators in pre-hospital training.

Prerequisites

Admission requirements for the EMR course are:

Minimum 16 years of age
WorkSafe BC Statement of Fitness
Canadian Red Cross (or equivalent) CPR C / AED Course. Cost is $65.00 and is not included in the EMR Course Fee.

Recommended Prerequiste

Completion of the Jones and Bartlett 'Anatomy and Physiology' (or equivalent) course. This course is avilable as a workbook with an on-line study and quiz modules. Please contact the HeartSafe office for details.

Cost for this course is $105.00 and is not included in the EMR Course Fee.

NOTE:

As of 01 November 2010 the on-line Anatomy and Physiology course will be a prerequisite for any student enrolling in an EMR course.

Course Material

Pre-reading of course material is highly recommended.

Once the applicant has completed the registration process including payment in full, he/she is eligible to receive the course material. Students may arrange to pick up the course material directly in Victoria or we can courier the materials out at an additional cost.

To register for the EMR course click the Register button on the Course Schedules page.

Please also review the specific EMR details on the Course Registration Information page, including the EMR Application and Certificate for Medical Fitness.

We also offer an on-line 'Paramedic Anatomy and Physiology' course with course textbook. Cost for the complete course is $105.00. Contact us now for further details.

Course Goals

The EMR course is an entry-level training course that provides the skills and knowledge required to practice as an Emergency Medical Responder. At the end of the EMR course you will be able to:

Perform a standardized patient assessment
Conduct a scene assessment
Assess and manage life-threatening traumatic emergencies
Assess and manage life-threatening medical emergencies
Assess patient vital signs
Monitor patient blood pressure and pulse oximetry
Conduct a secondary assessment consisting of a physical examination, medical history, and vital signs
Conduct chest auscultation
Administer CPR according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
Perform basic wound and fracture management including the application of a Sager Splint
Maintain airways and ventilation using Pocket Mask and Bag-Valve-Mask devices
Meet all Occupational First Aid Level III requirements
Conduct lifting, loading, extrication, and transportation of patients
Perform spinal immobilization and cervical immobilization
Perform emergency childbirth
Perform oropharyngeal airway suctioning
Perform oxygen administration
Perform Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
Maintain intravenous lines
Administer the following oral, sublingual, or inhaled medications:
- Nitroglycerin
- Glucogel
- Nitrous Oxide (Entonox)

Evaluation and Certification

The course has a series of formal evaluation requirements including written exams, skill stations, and simulations. Successful graduates will receive Emergency Medical Responder Certification from the Academy of Emergency Training.

EMR Licensing in BC and Alberta

To practice as a licensed Emergency Medical Responder in British Columbia, students must also complete a formal evaluation conducted by the Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA) Licensing Branch. For further information on EMR licensure please contact the EMA Licensing Branch at 250-952-1211 or visit their website at www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/ema/

The Alberta College of Paramedics, the Licensing & Regulatory body for Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) in Alberta, has accepted the Academy of Emergency Training EMR Course as an approved EMR education program in Alberta. Students who receive an Academy of Emergency Training EMR certification are eligible to sit the College's provincial EMR examination to become registered EMRs in Alberta. The Alberta College of Paramedics website is www.collegeofparamedics.org

Employment Opportunities

Fire Services and other First Responder organizations
Entry level ambulance service
Industrial settings as a designated first-aid attendant

Course Fees

WorkSafe BC OFA 3 $715.00 and

Emergency Medical Responder $735.00

Students must take both courses for a total of 105 hours of Instruction (including the final exam). You may not be able to use all the Advanced EMR Protocols in all workplaces - please check the licensing requirements in the jurisdiction that you are working in. Some of these Advanced EMR Protocols may also require the overview by a Medical Director .

These combined courses are recognized WorkSafe BC and the WorkPlace Health and Safety, Government of Alberta for industry in Alberta.

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