Is this program right for you?
Be the one helping to save lives. If you'd like to learn the fundamentals of emergency medicine, prepare yourself for further education or start on your journey in a career in healthcare, this program is for you.
Secure a Job
EMR graduates may progress into employment with both BC Ambulance Services as well as private ambulance services, fire departments, law enforcement, ski-patrol and rescue, and remote industrial workplaces.
Step Towards Further Studies
Many EMR graduates use their training as a foundation to continue towards further studies in paramedicine, such as Primary Care Paramedic and Advanced Care Paramedic training, and diploma or degree in Health Sciences, or healthcare, such as nursing and medicine.
Anyone entering the health care field seeking fundamental paramedicine training.
People interested in becoming provincially-licensed for employment within ambulance services, fire departments, industrial projects and recreation facilities, such as lifeguards and ski patrollers.
Program strengths
Current best practices in trauma life-support and treatment guidelines form an experiential course that is led by skilled paramedic field-practitioners and focuses on the development of the learner to attain core-competencies as defined by the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC).
View the Becoming a Paramedic in BC videos for information on a career in paramedicine.
This program focuses on the skills needed to respond to trauma and medical emergencies.
The Emergency Medical Responder program is a prerequisite course for the Primary Care Paramedic Program.
Course Topics
- Fundamentals of Emergency Medicine
- Assessment and Diagnostics
- Medical Conditions and Emergencies
- Traumatic Emergencies and Soft Tissue Injuries
- Diverse Populations and EMS Operations
Upon successful completion of this course the learner will be able to:
- Describe the components of the Emergency Health Services System
- Describes the fundamental principles of anatomy and physiology
- Assess and manage a broad range of life-threatening traumatic and medical emergencies
- Demonstrate a secondary assessment involving history taking and diagnostics
- Demonstrate basic airway and breathing management and critical interventions
- Demonstrate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
- Demonstrate spinal-injury management procedures and techniques
- Demonstrate and treat suspected opioid overdose
- Demonstrate the following specific treatments and medical interventions:
- Acute coronary syndrome symptom relief with oxygen, nitroglycerin and acetylsalicylic acid
- Blood glucose sampling and glucose administration to treat diabetic emergencies
- Pain management through the administration of nitrous oxide gas
- Emergency childbirth and neonatal/pediatric basic life support
- Basic first-aid techniques including minor wound care and at-work treatment
- Maintenance and dosage calculations of an intravenous line
- Describe mass casualty and special rescue considerations
What You Need to Graduate
Full attendance in class is mandatory for the completion of this course.
Program Format
In-class instruction - Full time 15 days (3 weeks) Monday - Friday* or for Part time 15 days Saturday & Sunday. Students will have access to the online Blackboard site for an extra resource. Classes run from 08:30 - 16:30.
The classroom is very busy, and it is expected that you will need to study each night to review material learned, and to prepare for the next day. Wear comfortable clothing and consider wearing a watch for timekeeping. Bring textbooks, notepads, pens, watch, food, and water.
This program is delivered in person at the Chilliwack, Kelowna, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, and Victoria campuses. It is also available at additional locations throughout BC including other post-secondary institutions, colleges, and private facilities.
Prerequisites
Must be at least 16 years of age. It is recommended that students have a minimum grade 10 English level.
Date and time
15 days, Monday to Friday or for part time 15 days in-class, Saturday & Sunday, 08:30 - 16:30 hours.
*class schedule may vary due to Statutory Holidays
EXAMS
Students are assessed and coached throughout the course. Formal evaluations are as follows:
- 1 midterm: 50 multiple choice questions
- BLS written exam: 20 multiple choice questions
- 6 skills assessments
- Final comprehensive written exam: 100 multiple choice questions
- Final practical examinations (1 medical scenario/1 trauma scenario)
Students must pass with a minimum of 75% for each of the written and practical exams. Students will be writing their mid-term and final written exams online and are required to have either a laptop or tablet. They will be using Respondus LockDown Browser to maintain the integrity of exams. Please ensure your devise meets the operating system requirements below:
- Windows: 10 and 8
- Mac: MacOS 10.12 or higher
- iOS: 11.0+ (iPad only) must have a compatible LMS integration
Upon successful completion of the EMR course students will receive the following:
- JIBC EMR certificate (valid 3 years) and a Canadian Red Cross BLS card/certificate (valid 1 year).
Remedial
Students are given an opportunity to do one (1) retest for their either their final written, medical scenario, and/or trauma scenario) should they be unsuccessful in their final exams. Retests will be scheduled within 2 - 3 business days after the class ends. Failure to complete this requirement within 60-days after the course end date will result in a ‘FAIL’ grade.
Tuition
Domestic tuition: $1750.14
International tuition: $2625.22
Textbooks are NOT included in tuition and must be purchased separately through JIBC bookstore in New Westminster.
Tuition and mandatory fees are subject to an annual 2% increase every April 1. See the catalogue for the official listed price.
Additional Fees
Learner Services Fee $36.96
REFUNDS
Continuing Studies Courses (Refund Policy-3210–003)
If a student withdraws 7 calendar days prior to the beginning of the course they receive a 100% refund;
Withdrawal with less than 7 calendar days from the start of the course are not eligible for tuition refund;
Some courses may have non-refundable tuition, application, and/or material fees (this will be identified at the time of registration).
To receive a refund please contact Student Services (Registration).
BURSARY
Scholarships and awards are based on specific criteria. Bursaries are financial awards which are given on the basis of need. View all available options at our Awards, Bursaries, and Scholarships page.
Textbooks & Supplies
Required Textbooks
Contact the JIBC Store to order textbooks:
Pearson's, Emergency Medical Responder. A Skill Approach (5th edition) ISBN-13: 9780133946215
- Canadian Red Cross, Basic Life Support Field Guide 2018 ISBN: 978-1-58480-704-9
Pre-Read: Please review chapters 1-4, 6, 10, 14, 18, 29, & 33 in the Emergency Medical Responder: A Skills Approach (5th Edition) prior to day 1 of class. Once enrolled students will be emailed additional pre-reading material.
When ordering textbooks please allow at least a 1 week for orders to be completed and delivered. Ensure you provide the store with the title of the book(s), phone number and complete shipping address. Staff will call to retrieve credit card information (Visa/MasterCard only).
Note: Only the New Westminster Campus have books available for sale.
STEP ONE - Register Online
Visit the Emergency Medical Responder ONLINE course catalogue to enroll yourself in one of our course offerings.
Important Dates
This is an open enrolment program. There are no application deadlines or set start dates.
Admission Requirements
The courses and certificate are open to anyone. There are no formal admission requirements.
Financial aid and awards
Candidates for this program may be eligible for Awards, Bursaries, and Scholarships.
For more information, contact Student Services.
International applicants
International applicants are encouraged to contact JIBC's Office of International Affairs at international@jibc.ca.
Q: Is my nursing degree equivalent to the EMR level?
A: Unfortunately not. Currently, the BC Ministry of Health's Emergency Medical Assistant's Licensing Board (EMALB) who govern the Emergency Medical Assistant's Regulations do not allow transferring between nursing and pre-hospital medicine without first completing paramedic education.
Q: Do I need to complete a Criminal Record Check to apply for the EMR course?
A: Currently there are no requirements for a Criminal Record Check to apply for a seat in the EMR course. However, you will likely need to complete a Criminal Record Check for potential employers.
Q: Can I access funding for the EMR courses?
A: Currently applicants can only access funding through their Employment or Education support services. No JIBC funding is available for this level of training. See information on Bursaries and Awards under the "How to Apply" tab.
Q: Is there a dress code?
A: Yes. Casual, comfortable attire and closed-toe footwear (i.e. running shoes) are recommended.
