What is an Emergency Medical Responder?

Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) are entry-level paramedics who work with the provincial ambulance service, with fire departments, and in many other important uniformed and non-uniformed roles throughout BC. EMRs hold a provincial medical license, and are authorized when working under that license to perform regulated medical interventions.

Does this course meet professional standards?

Our EMR course meets or exceeds the standards of all professional regulatory and certifying bodies, including:

• The Paramedic Association of Canada.

• The BC Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board.

• The Canadian Red Cross.

What will I learn in my EMR course?

The full course curriculum is available here.

The tuition is $1995. What other expenses can I expect?

Your tuition covers ALL course-related costs with Coast Medical Training.

Do I have to pay the full course fee when I register, or can I register with a deposit?

You can register for EMR with a 50% deposit. Use the code EMR50 in the discount code space when you register. You will be invoiced for the remaining course fee, which is due the first day of your training.

What is the difference between EMR certification and EMR licensing?

Emergency Medical Responders in British Columbia hold medical licenses through the Emergency Medical Assistants’ Licensing Board (EMALB). This means that your skills, responsibilities and expectations are higher than those of first aid practitioners.

To earn an EMR license, you will complete EMALB-facilitated online and in-person examinations. By successfully completing these examinations, you prove to potential employers that you have achieved an objective standard, which makes you more employable.

To qualify for the EMALB examinations, you must first successfully complete a recognized Emergency Medical Responder certification program, such as the one we offer here at Coast.

Will training at Coast prepare me for EMALB licensing?

Absolutely! Our top priority at Coast is to make sure that you have the training, professionalism and knowledge necessary to respond to medical emergencies.

Since this is also the EMALB’s top priority, its easy for us to design an approach and structure that is 100% consistent with the expectations of your licensing exams.

We also go out of our way to make sure that your course assessments are consistent with current licensing standards, so that we can provide you with specific, pertinent feedback.

Finally, Coast hosts twice-weekly practice nights for our alumni - you will be able to come back in and practice, continuing to sharpen your skills and refresh your knowledge after your course as you work towards your licensing exam.

What other free certificates do I get when I take my EMR with Coast?

Your EMR training with Coast allows for a number of additional, free certifications that you might find useful, including:

• Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder with Basic Life Support (formerly CPR-HCP) certification. This certification is recognized by the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC) and the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (EMALB), and qualifies the holder to take the provincial EMR licensing exam in British Columbia.

• All EMR Schedule 2 Scope Upgrades (so your EMR license will be unrestricted from the beginning).

• Participants who require a First Responder license have the option to test for that license during their training. This can be useful for fire service applicants with upcoming application deadlines.

• The optional-but-highly-recommended prerequisite training will give participants a Standard First Aid with Basic Life Support certification.

• Licensed alumni can request an Occupational First Aid Level 3 (OFA-3) certification. No extra training, no extra charge.

EMR sounds like a challenging job, and I don’t know if I am personally suitable. Is there anyone I can talk to about working as an EMR?

Yes! You can use this form to schedule an appointment with one of our career specialists. They are experienced paramedics who will be able to discuss the realities of the job, so you can make an informed decision about whether EMR is right for you.

Do I need a criminal record check to do your EMR program?

No - although you might need one for employment, depending on your goals. BCEHS, for example, requires candidates to submit a criminal record check with vulnerable sector screening.

Is there a dress code?

Yes. Casual, comfortable attire, including long pants and closed-toe footwear (such as running shoes or boots).

Where does this training take place?

All full EMR programs take place at our Vancouver Classroom, 8168 Granville St (at 66th Ave), Unit 209, in the Marpole area.

What is the schedule for the full-time and part-time classes?

• Online Pre-Study: About 20 hours.

• Full Time In-Class Schedule: 2 Weeks (Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 6 PM) + 1 Weekend (Sat-Sun, 9 AM - 6 PM).

• Part Time Schedule: 5 Weekends (Fri 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM + Sat-Sun, 9 AM - 5 PM)

Why do you include Standard First Aid with Basic Life Support (SFA-BLS)?

SFA-BLS combines basic first aid skills (such as splinting, wound care, and simple management of medical emergencies) with the basic life support skills expected of any healthcare professional. By completing this before your EMR, you begin the program with some fundamental skills that will make your EMR training much less intense!

Is the SFA-BLS really free?

Absolutely - when you sign up for EMR, you will be given the option of a number of upcoming SFA-BLS dates. Those dates can also be found in our course page, here.

But really… does the SFA-BLS cost anything at all?

Nope! It is completely free for our EMR students.

Should I take the SFA-BLS training if I already have this certification?

Probably. The expectation for students coming into EMR is that these skills are very sharp, and will not have to be retaught. If it has been more than a month or two since your training, or if you can’t remember the training well (maybe because you didn’t pay attention…) then you should join these two days and refresh those skills! After all - did I mention that its free?

The full-time schedule seems intense - is there any way to divide up the EMR training?

Yes! You can consider your EMR course to consist of three sections: Week 1, Week 2, and the Final Weekend. As you work through your course, you might decide to delay that final weekend of training and assessment, and you can do so for up to one month.

If you would also like to split up Week 1 and Week 2 to give yourself more time, contact us before you register, and we will be happy to help you arrange a schedule.

How are assessments conducted?

Written assessments are conducted daily throughout the course.

Check-in practical assessments are conducted after 40 and 80 hours of training.

A final practical assessment is conducted on the final day of your training.

What support does Coast offer once I have completed my EMR certification?

At Coast, we don’t consider our students to be just customers, but as valuable members of a wonderful little community. That means that when your course ends and you get your EMR certificate, I hope that you will continue to be involved with us. To help support you as you work towards licensing, and as you begin your career in pre-hospital medicine, we offer the following free resources to our alumni:

• Free practice nights. Every Monday and Thursday, new students and long-time alumni gather to practice scenarios, use the professional gear, and share their experiences. Half intense skill practice, half snack-based social time, these start at 5 PM and end when everyone goes home.

• Ad-Hoc Practice Sessions: If you and a couple of other students can’t make it to practice nights, or if you need more time with the equipment before your exam, just let us know, and we can usually arrange a practice area for you on your schedule.

• Volunteer Classroom Assistants: The best way to learn is to teach. Many alumni find it useful to work with new students, helping to teach skills and run scenarios, so they can stay familiar with the structure and keep their knowledge fresh. We also find it really useful - having more keen eyes on students is good for everyone!

Does your EMR course qualify me for my EMR licensing exam?

Yes. Completing an EMR with Coast will earn you a Canadian Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder certification, which is a fully recognized prerequisite to register for the EMALB licensing examinations.

Can I attempt the EMR licensing exam without taking an EMR course?

No. An EMR certification, issued within the past year, must be submitted to the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board to schedule an EMR licensing attempt.

Is it easy to find a job as an EMR? What jobs are available?

Licensed EMRs are in very high demand in British Columbia. The biggest employer of EMRs is the provincial ambulance service (BCEHS), followed closely by the various fire departments throughout the province, especially in the larger cities.

Other employers include ski patrol, event medicine, industrial first aid companies (see below), patient transfer companies, and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Can I work as a first aid attendant in occupational or industrial settings with my EMR?

Yes! You will need an OFA-3 certification in addition to your EMR, but - good news! - there is no additional training required, and we will help you get that OFA-3 for free once you receive your license!

I want to be a firefighter. Is EMR required to apply to become a firefighter?

Although more fire departments are requiring EMR as a minimum, it is still possible to apply to a fire department with the lower license level, First Responder (FR). However, EMR is highly preferred. Furthermore, as fire applications are very competitive, you might consider getting your EMR so you can be hired by BCEHS. This experienced as a uniformed emergency responder is highly valued by fire department hiring managers, and can help set you apart from the competition.

There is a fire service deadline coming up, and I want my First Responder (FR) license. Does your course qualify me to get an FR license?

Yes - our EMR is structured to provide you with an opportunity to test for your FR halfway through your EMR program.

Why would I want an FR license if I intend to complete EMR licensing?

The EMR licensing process is more complex than the FR licensing process, and takes up to 6 to 8 weeks to complete after your EMR training is complete.

The FR licensing process, on the other hand, is much quicker, since the EMALB has authorized us - as training providers - to administer part of the FR licensing assessment. The FR licensing process takes about 2 weeks, and so can be completed shortly after finishing your EMR.

If you are applying to a fire department, and the deadline is coming up, completing your FR license allows you to meet the minimum requirements to submit the application, while still being able to tell them that you are in the process of completing the preferred EMR license qualification.

I want to be a paramedic working on ambulance with British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS). Do I need EMR if I intend to become a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP)?

Yes, EMR is a prerequisite for paramedic training in BC. However, you can apply with a certificate - you do not have to be licensed to apply to a PCP program.

Is your EMR recognized by the Primary Care Paramedic programs in BC?

Yes. Our programs are fully recognized, and I am proud to say that our alumni are generally considered to be among the best prepared PCP candidates by those schools.

Should I go directly into paramedic training, or should I work as an EMR for BCEHS first?

This is a complex question that depends on your circumstances. Generally, though, I advise people to try to get hired and work as an EMR before joining a PCP program. There are academic, experiential and job-related benefits to this. However, if this is a question you are considering, I suggest you use this form to make an appointment with one of our career advisors, who can answer your specific questions and help you to make an informed decision.

What are the job opportunities like for an EMR with BCEHS?

BCEHS is hiring many EMRs at the moment. If you live in a large urban area (Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, etc…) you are unlikely to be hired into a local station, but with demand so high, you can usually join a station that is not very far away. You can also pick up extra shifts closer to home. Contact us to learn how this works - it's a bit confusing, but it’s actually an excellent system!

If you live in a remote or rural area of BC, the hiring opportunities are even better! There is an excellent chance that you can find employment in your area.

Most EMR positions are casual, although there are a few full-time positions in rural stations, or with the transfer fleet in the metro area of BC.

Will you help connect me with recruiters from BCEHS?

Absolutely! We have arranged to have BCEHS recruiters come into all of our EMR classes to speak to students, and answer any questions directly.

Is Coast recognized as an EMR provider by the BCEHS Driver Only Upgrade program?

Yes, we have had many students join us through this program.

I live along the Sea-to-Sky. Can I do the full EMR program at your Squamish location?

Unfortunately we currently only offer the second half of the EMR program in Squamish. If you do the first week in Vancouver, though, you can finish the training in Squamish.

I am travelling from afar - are there any reasonably priced accommodations nearby?

Vancouver hotels are rarely described as cheap, but some of the more affordable options are located near to our training facility. Please contact us for recommendations.

How should I schedule my travel if I am coming for EMR training at Coast?

If you are travelling to Vancouver to take this course, try to arrive at least one day early to ensure that you are well rested for the first day of your training. Also, it is highly recommended that you give yourself at least one day after your course is over before you leave - in the event that you are unsuccessful on your assessment, this will give time for us to make a practice plan, and for you to make another assessment attempt.

I know there are a lot of people who want EMR in my community - can you send instructors to teach a local EMR for us?

Oh, you bet we can. We have a full set of gear just for out-of-town courses, and our instructors love to travel! Contact us to discuss logistics!

What can I expect to be treated as a student at Coast?

Coast Wilderness Medical Training is a smaller training provider. We have chosen to focus our efforts on providing instruction that includes a higher level of student support than any of our competitors. These supports include,

• Collaborative learning environments, where slides and lectures are minimized in favor of discussions, interactive practice, and creative learning approaches.

• Individual, ongoing support, with unlimited career, licensing and learning support that starts with your online pre-study and continues after your course until you meet your EMR goals.

• A resource with a wide range of free resources to help keep your skills and knowledge sharp.

• Flexible assessment options: If you have testing anxieties, or if you need a bit of time and space after your classroom portion, you can delay your practical assessments by up to 30 days from the end of your in-class learning. You have three attempts, with unlimited practice sessions to help you prepare.

• Free evening and weekend practice sessions during your course, and while preparing for your EMALB exam. These open classroom sessions will let you practice with a variety of people, and get the support you need to identify and work on areas where you aren’t confident.

I heard that Coast Medical Training is a community more than a school. What does this mean?

Yes, this is a frequently asked question!

We take pride in establishing ongoing, two-way relationships based on mutual respect and good communication. We genuinely care about your experience, and will go out of our way to make sure you feel listened to and included, and that any difficulties you are facing are addressed quickly and compassionately. All of this sounds like the sort of thing you can find on any website - but I promise that you will find we take this very seriously.

How do you maintain best practices in paramedic education at Coast?

Coast Wilderness Medical Training is a Red Cross Training Partner. This means that you get a course curriculum founded on current best practices as defined by the International Liaison Council on Resuscitation (ILCOR) and the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC).

BC specific regional adaptations are based on guidelines of the British Columbia Emergency Health Services and the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board, ensuring that your training prepares you for your licensing exam, and to competently perform the fullest extent of the EMR scope of practice..

Training is delivered by experienced practitioners licensed and working as Primary Care Paramedic or higher, who have undergone significant instructing and coaching training and have demonstrated an enthusiasm for education, and of continuous learning, that will ensure classes not only deliver high quality training, but are supportive, engaging, and fun.

I am an international student. Are there any additional course fees?

No - we do not charge any additional international student fees. We would love to have you join us!

I am not a native English speaker, and I am concerned about my English level.

Learning something new in a foreign language is challenging. However, we have a number of options that might make this easier for you, including,

• By accessing the EMR pre-study, you can get a good idea of the level of vocabulary involved in this course.

• You can also divide up your course over a longer period, giving you more time to study and practice as you work through the EMR material.

• Finally, we can give you all of the material early, so you can study it at your own speed before your course begins.

I have previous training and experience as a nurse, health care aide, paramedic or physician outside of Canada. Is this experience recognized for equivalence as an EMR, or to miss some of the training?

Unfortunately, no. The EMALB does not allow transfer of medical credentials - including physicians, nurses and paramedics - to pre-hospital medicine. A full program must be completed.

We do promise, however, to respect your training and education when you are in our class.