Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
Our 120-hour Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course equips you with the skills and certifications needed for a career in emergency services. With full EMALB Schedule 1 and 2 endorsements, no additional "Scope Update" training is required.
Start Your Career in Emergency Response and Healthcare
Whether you're aspiring to work in paramedicine, firefighting, or industrial emergency response, our Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training equips you with the knowledge and skills required to save lives and manage emergencies. Offered in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Burnaby, BC, this comprehensive course is perfect for anyone looking to start their healthcare career in emergency medical services.
Our EMR course covers key areas such as trauma life support, basic life support (BLS), and patient assessment skills, giving you the confidence and skills needed to provide effective emergency care. With a mix of self-directed learning and practical training, you'll be ready to handle real-world scenarios.
Is The EMR Course Right For You?
- Secure Employment: Graduates of this program often find work with BC Ambulance Service, private ambulance companies, fire departments, law enforcement agencies, industrial workplaces, and ski patrol or rescue teams. Our previous students have been very successful with EMALB licensing. We're proud to have a pass rate of over 90% with licensing.
- Path to Licensing: This course is a direct pathway to licensing through the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (EMALB). Upon successful completion, you can apply for licensing exams to become an Emergency Medical Responder.
- Further Your Education: Many students use this course as a stepping stone to further studies in healthcare, including Primary Care Paramedic (PCP), Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP), or nursing programs.
- Meet Industry Standards: This course meets the Paramedic Association of Canada’s National Occupational Competency Profile for EMRs, ensuring you’re fully prepared to take on emergencies in pre-hospital settings.
Course Overview:
The EMR course is designed to provide the knowledge and practical skills required to respond to medical emergencies, stabilize patients, and manage critical situations in pre-hospital settings. It is perfect for those looking to enter professions where emergency response is key—such as paramedics, firefighters, and industrial first responders.
- Course Duration: 120 hours
- Locations: Victoria, Nanaimo, and Burnaby, BC
- Includes: CPR ‘BLS’ & AED certification, 2023 “Scope Update” training
- Additional Exams: Licensing exams through EMALB must be completed after course completion (fees and scheduling are managed by EMALB).
Upon completing this course, students can apply for their Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) license through the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (EMALB). Licensing is a separate process involving additional exams, but with full Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 endorsements included, graduates will not require any further scope update training.
Notes:
Once licensed, students can receive an OFA 3 equivalency certification at a discounted rate
Course Details
EMR Course Content
- EMS in British Columbia
- Wellbeing of the FR/EMR
- EMS Operations
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Pathophysiology & Patient Presentation
- Pharmacology
- Scene Assessment
- Patient Assessment
- Special Populations
- Multiple Casualty Incidents & Triage
- Treatment Protocols
FAQs
How hard is it to pass the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Course?
The EMR course is challenging but achievable with dedication. To succeed, you must pass both a written exam and two practical exams. The practical exams are often the most difficult, requiring you to treat patients in simulated trauma and medical scenarios up to the EMR standard of care. Success typically comes with completing the pre-course assignment, staying engaged in the classroom, and dedicating time to practice. If you're unsure whether EMR certification is right for you, contact us to discuss your concerns.
How much pre-course work is required for the EMR course?
You should expect to spend a minimum of 10 to 24 hours on the pre-course assignment, depending on how much time you dedicate. We recommend focusing on key chapters in the provided workbook to get the most out of the course.
What job opportunities are there for an Emergency Medical Responder in BC?
EMR certification opens up various job opportunities in BC, including positions with ski patrol, private ambulance services, sports medicine, event medicine, and fire departments. Completing the EMALB licensing process expands your options further, allowing you to work with BC Ambulance Services or as an Occupational First Aid Attendant for industrial sites.
Where can I get more information about the skills required for the EMR course?
The skills you will learn are detailed in the course outline provided during registration. For more information, feel free to contact us, and we can guide you through the specific competencies covered in the course.
What can I do if I can’t afford the EMR course?
We understand that the cost to successfully complete a responder program is significant in both time and money. If you feel that you need financial assistance in order to start your healthcare career, please visit our main home page where you will find a link to apply for Scholarships for Advanced Courses in the banner.
What does the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program cover?
Our EMR program provides comprehensive training in emergency medical services, covering essential skills such as trauma life support, basic life support (BLS), and patient assessment skills. It is a prerequisite for anyone looking to advance to roles in paramedicine, firefighting, or industrial emergency response.
Is the EMR course a prerequisite for other paramedic training programs?
Yes, the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course is a prerequisite for advancing to the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program or other paramedic training courses. Completing the EMR program is the first step toward building your career in emergency medical services.
Does the EMR training include Red Cross certification?
While our EMR program is not part of the Red Cross curriculum, it includes certifications such as basic life support (BLS) and meets the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (EMALB) requirements for EMR scope of practice in British Columbia.
How does the Emergency Medical Responder program help prepare for real-life emergencies?
The EMR training program includes a blend of self-directed learning, practical training, and scenario-based exercises. This ensures participants are confident in handling real-life emergency situations, including trauma life support and other essential emergency care skills.
What certifications do I receive after completing the EMR program?
Upon the successful completion of our EMR program, you will receive digital certificates for Basic Life Support (BLS) and Emergency Medical Responder. These certifications are the necessary credentials to apply for EMALB licensing exams. This prepares you for employment opportunities in emergency medical services throughout BC.
Training Schedules & Locations
Victoria-TILLICUMVictoria - Tillicum Centre NanaimoNanaimo - First Aid, CPR & AED CoursesMaterials
The required course textbook is Emergency Medical Responder: A Skills Approach, Fifth Canadian Edition by Limmer, Karen et al. Students can choose to purchase either an e-book or a hardcopy of the text. This can be done directly through the publisher here, or students are free to source this themselves. Please note that this must be purchased in advance and the school does not sell this book or keep any copies on site.
Who should take this course?
- Paramedics looking for work with BC Ambulance
- Employment with Fire Departments
- Those working in prehospital care
- Applying as EMR in Private ambulance service
- industrial first aid attendants
- Workplace First Responders
- rescue teams
- ski patrol
Looking for a group class?
If you have a group of people and would like us to come to you to teach a
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course, we offer this course in the following locations:
Victoria | Langford | Esquimalt | Sooke | Cobble Hill | Mill Bay | Duncan | Lake Cowichan | Cedar | Ladysmith | Nanaimo | Parksville | Qualicum Beach | Port Alberni | Coombs | Parksville | Campbell River | Saltspring Island | Pender Island | Powell River | Gabriola Isand | Burnaby | Coquitlam | Delta | Langley | Maple Ridge | New Westminster | North Vancouver | Pitt Meadows | Port Moody | Richmond | Surrey | Vancouver | West Vancouver | White Rock | Langley |
Give us a call at 1.866.282.5378, or send us an email at info@alertfirstaid.com to arrange a group course.