Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Program

The Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) has the basic theoretical and practical training in life-saving and patient assessment skills. As an important member of the health care team the EMR can provide fundamental out-of-hospital care working with other health care provers in a wide variety of settings. The EMR Program will ensure that successful graduates have basic training to provide out of hospital care while working with other healthcare providers. Through synchronous lecture, case studies, self-directed learning, simulation, and practical patient experience the learner will possess sound knowledge and skills, an unwavering commitment to excellence in all that they do, and a deep sense of professionalism and caring. Successful graduates of the EMR Program will be prepared to function as part of the health care team providing safe patient handling and movement, and safe vehicle operation. The EMR Program is an outcomes-based program that will provide a foundation for the entry-to-practice Emergency Medical Responder as described by the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators (COPR) and the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC). The EMR program meets the outcome requirements of the provincial regulator, the College of Paramedics of Nova Scotia (CPNS). The program is designed to provide the acquisition of concepts and theories, mastery of professional skills, and the attainment of a professional attitude though recognizing the limited professional experience of the EMR in the out-of-hospital paramedic context of practice, successful integration of the EMR into paramedic practice will include the development of a transition to clinical practice plan.

The Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program is 12 weeks in length which includes 9 weeks of classroom/simulation education, as well as 3 weeks of practical patient experience. The total cost of the EMR program is approximately $9,000 which includes cost of books and uniforms.

The student will receive a certificate upon successful completion of all program requirements as outlined in policy.

For information on financial assistance, rebate programs, potential employment opportunities upon graduating, and other relevant information, please visit our helpful links page by clicking here.

To apply as a general applicant to the Medavie HealthEd EMR program, a candidate must meet the following prerequisites:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Successful completion of grade 12 (Diploma or GED)
• Be physically and mentally able to perform all required duties.
• Supply an acceptable Criminal Record Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). This can be obtained from the RCMP, local police detachment or some online agencies such as myBackCheck.com (please ensure you submit for both a CRC AND VSC).
• Be in good health with all appropriate immunizations as verified by a completed immunization record.
• Qualify for Class 4 driver’s license (please check with your provincial Department of Transportation or Motor Vehicles Branch for the jurisdiction where you reside) if you plan on applying for work as a EMR with an ambulance service.

To complete your application to Medavie HealthEd EMR program you must submit the following:

1. Application form (to be completed and submitted on line)
2. Official Diploma or High School Transcript (and college/university if applicable)
3. Application fee – $100.00

Upon conditional acceptance into the EMR program, students must submit the following:

1. An official Criminal Record Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). The criminal record check must be no more than six months old from the program start date.
2. The Medavie HealthEd Immunization forms. The medical and immunization forms must be no more than two months old from the program start date. To download the immunization form, click here.

For EMR applicants please refer to the Entry to Practice requirements as prescribed by the College of Paramedics of Nova Scotia (CPNS) that relates to your licensing abilities following graduation.  It is important that you read and understand any limitations that may affect you directly and your ability to license. Entry to Practice Requirements CPNS

For information on financial assistance, rebate programs, potential employment opportunities upon graduating, and other relevant information, please visit our helpful links page by clicking here.

If your first language is not English, you may be required to provide proof of English language proficiency.  If proof of proficiency is necessary, you must achieve, at least, the minimum scores noted below.  Please note, at this time these are the only English language proficiency tests we accept.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), internet based testing (iBT) – must achieve an overall score of 96 with no less than 24 in each band.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – must achieve an overall score of 7 with no less than 7 in each band.

Additionally, if you are submitting an international transcript as proof that meet the prerequisite course criteria, your transcript will need to be validated by one of the member organizations of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC).  Please visit www.canalliance.org for more information on these organizations.