Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)

The JIBC EMR program, under the FSG, is now full and closed for the 2024 fall term (September to December 2024).

Our 2025 Winter term has not yet opened as the schedule has not been finalized.  Please continue to visit this page for the new schedule as any updates will be located here.

What You Need to Graduate 

Full attendance in class is mandatory for the completion of this course.

Program Format 

We have updated our EMR course to include the recent changes in the EMR scope of practice. This has led to the introduction of the Associate Certificate in Emergency Medical Responder. This program is composed of two courses: Emergency Medical Responder (PARA-1050) and the new EMR Scope of Practice course (PARA-1055).

The EMR Scope of Practice course is five days long, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The EMR course is 15 days long, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

You must complete both courses to earn an Associate Certificate in Emergency Medical Responder.

Note:  Existing certified or licensed EMRs who wish to upgrade their license to the new scope changes can take PARA-1055 on its own. Proof of licensure or certification must be submitted, please visit "how to apply" for instructions.

The classroom is busy. You can expect to study each night to review the material learned and to prepare for the next day.  Wear comfortable clothing and consider wearing a watch for timekeeping. Bring textbooks, notepads, pens, a watch, food, and water.

This program is delivered in person at JIBC's Chilliwack, Kelowna, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, and Victoria campuses.  It is also available at other locations throughout BC, including other post-secondary institutions, colleges, and private facilities.

Prerequisites

It is recommended that students have a minimum grade 10 English level.

Date and time

Monday to Friday for full-time, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Exams

Students are assessed and coached throughout the course. Formal evaluations are as follows:

EMR

• One midterm: 50 multiple-choice questions 
• BLS written exam: 20 multiple-choice questions
• Six skills assessments
• Final comprehensive written exam: 100 multiple-choice questions
• Final practical examinations (one medical scenario/one trauma scenario)

EMR Scope of Practice

• Final comprehensive written exam: 50 multiple-choice questions
• Five OSCE practical exams

Students must pass with a minimum of 75% for each of the written and practical exams.

Upon successful completion of the EMR course, students will receive the following:

• JIBC EMR certificate (valid for three years
• Canadian Red Cross BLS card/certificate (valid for one year).

Remedial

Students are given an opportunity to do one (1) retest for their final written, medical scenario, and/or trauma scenario) should they be unsuccessful in their final exams. Failure to complete this requirement within 90 days after the course end date will result in a ‘FAIL’ grade.

This program is for anyone who wants paramedicine training or to enter the health care field.

If you want to be provincially licensed for employment within areas such as:

• Ambulance services

• Fire departments

• Industrial projects and recreation facilities, such as lifeguards and ski patrollers

Program Strengths 

Skilled paramedic field practitioners teach best practices in trauma life support and treatment guidelines. Students will learn core competencies defined by the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC).

Learn more about becoming a paramedic in BC.

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 

EMR Course

Upon successful completion of this course the learner will be able to:

1. Describe the components of the Emergency Health Services System
2. Describes the fundamental principles of anatomy and physiology
3. Assess and manage a broad range of life-threatening traumatic and medical emergencies
4. Demonstrate a secondary assessment involving history taking and diagnostics
5. Demonstrate basic airway and breathing management and critical interventions
6. Demonstrate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
7. Demonstrate spinal-injury management procedures and techniques
8. Demonstrate and treat suspected opioid overdose
9. Demonstrate the following specific treatments and medical interventions:
10. Acute coronary syndrome symptom relief with oxygen, nitroglycerin and acetylsalicylic acid
11. Blood glucose sampling and glucose administration to treat diabetic emergencies
12. Pain management through the administration of nitrous oxide gas
13. Emergency childbirth and neonatal/pediatric basic life support
14. Basic first-aid techniques including minor wound care and at-work treatment
15. Maintenance and dosage calculations of an intravenous line
16. Describe mass casualty and special rescue considerations

EMR Scope Changes Course

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Describe the use, limitations, interpretation, and accuracy of carbon monoxide (CO) oximetry testing, referring to physiological manifestations of elevated test results and the treatments.
2. Explain the use, application and administration of inhaled and nebulized bronchodilators and intramuscular administration of epinephrine, referring to pathophysiology, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, anatomical structures, and principles of pharmacology.
3. Conduct a respiratory assessment and interpret findings to inform the use and application of a bronchodilator and intramuscular epinephrine.
4. Explain the use and application of topical administration of procoagulants and antifibrinolytics, referring to pathophysiology, anatomical structures, and principles of pharmacology.
5. Explain the use and application of intranasal opioid antagonists, referring to pathophysiology, anatomical structures, and principles of pharmacology.
6. Explain the use and application of intranasal and intramuscular administration of anti-hypoglycemic agents, referring to pathophysiology, anatomical structures, and principles of pharmacology.
7. Differentiate between the maintenance of intravenous lines in the prehospital, the in-hospital and hospital-to-hospital transfer environments.
8. Explain the maintenance of intravenous lines, access devices and infusions of crystalloid solutions without additives like medications or blood products, referring to pathophysiology, anatomical structures, and principles of pharmacology.
9. Explain the use and application of oral analgesia, referring to physiology, pathophysiology, and the principles of pharmacology.
10.  Demonstrate appropriate use and application of:

• CO oximetry testing,
• Nebulized and inhaled bronchodilators,
• Topical administration of procoagulants and antifibrinolytics,
• Intranasal administration of opioid antagonists,
• Intranasal and intramuscular administration of anti-hypoglycemic agents, and
• Intramuscular administration of epinephrine.
• Oral analgesia

11.  Demonstrate skills in treatments of:

• Patients showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning,
• Patients showing signs of and experiencing adverse symptoms involving the respiratory system,
• Patients showing signs of and experiencing adverse symptoms involving the immune system,
• Trauma patients including those with penetrating wounds where topical administration of procoagulants and antifibrinolytics might be required,
• Patients experiencing toxicologic syndromes where administration of intranasal opioid antagonists might be required, and
• Patients experiencing adverse signs and symptoms involving the endocrine system where administration of intranasal and/or intramuscular administration of anti-hypoglycemic agents might be required.
• Patients showing signs of and experiencing pain.

Tuition & Fees

EMR (PARA-1050 & 1055) (under the Future Skills Grant)

The fall classes are full - tuition is N/A.

EMR Scope of Practice (PARA-1055)

This course is available as tuition only for those students who still require the Scope Update to upgrade their skills/licenses.

Tuition $754.80
Learner Services Fee $3.20

REFUNDS

Continuing Studies Courses (Refund Policy-3210–003)

If a student withdraws seven calendar days before the beginning of the course they receive a 100% refund;

Withdrawal with less than seven calendar days from the start of the course is 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).

Textbooks & Supplies

Required 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) before day 1 of class.  Once enrolled students will be emailed additional pre-reading material.

Note: Only the New Westminster Campus has books available for sale.

The JIBC EMR program, under the FSG, is now full and closed for the 2024 fall term (September to December 2024).

All of the Fall 2024 EMR courses are dedicated to the Future Skills Grant; to enroll please follow these directions:

• Complete and submit the Online Program Application Form using Education Planner BC
• Choose Future Skills Grant and you won't be charged the $75.00 application fee.
• Choose the month you prefer to start the EMR courses (Sept or Oct or Nov 2024).

Apply for the Future Skills Grant on the WorkBC website when the FSG application opens on August 6, 2024.

• If your grant is approved, we will register you for BOTH EMR courses (PARA-1050 and PARA-1055) and we’ll confirm by email.     

For more information about the future skills application process, go to:   https://www.jibc.ca/strongerbc-grant-opportunities

EMR Scope of Practice Update Course only (not part of the grant)

• If you hold a current EMR certification or valid EMR license you can register for PARA-1055, “EMR Scope Update”; you must first apply for a requisite waiver form  for the pre-requisite: 
• Also, you’ll need to email a copy of your certificate to: requisitewaiver@jibc.ca  Once your requisite waiver is approved, you’ll receive an email confirming. Then you can register for the EMR course (PARA-1055).
• To register for the course, please call registration (you won’t be able to register in your student account).

Q: Is my nursing degree equivalent to the EMR level? 

A: No. 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: Is there a dress code?

A: Yes. Casual, comfortable attire and closed-toe footwear (eg. running shoes) are recommended.