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Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) are integral members of Emergency Medical Services and provide entry-level medical and trauma care in health services and industrial settings. They may be the first to arrive on the scene, they may be the only provider in remote areas, or they may work collaboratively in a team with other EMS/health care providers, first responders (i.e., Fire, Police), or community support agencies.
About the Program
The Portage College EMR full-time program is provided using a blended delivery model. This program combines online theory courses, onsite labs at the Lac La Biche campus and a clinical placement. This format allows students who are unable to relocate from their home community for the duration of their education program, the opportunity to pursue an Emergency Medical Responder certificate. By using the multi-modal approach to instruction, students can do the majority of theory instruction from home. For each 3-credit course, students can expect to spend an average of 6-10 hours studying per week.
Ambulance Driver Training
In addition to the theory, labs and clinical placement, students must complete the Alberta Paramedicine Driver Operator Course (APDOC). The Alberta College of Paramedics has mandated this course as part of every Alberta EMR program and it is required for graduation. This course is offered by various educational partners and students are responsible for all associated costs. EMR Students will receive 40 hours of hands-on, behind-the-wheel ambulance training on our campus.
Assessments
Students attend onsite lab weeks throughout the 20-week program. During the mandatory on-site weeks, practical skills are assessed at the level of proficiency. Some written exams are scheduled during onsite weeks but students may be required to arrange to have other exams supervised at any Portage College campus or by an approved invigilator when not on site. Students are responsible for all costs associated with exam invigilation external to Portage College.
Graduates are eligible to write the Provincial Registration Examination and become a registered practitioner with the Alberta College of Paramedics which is required to practice as an EMR in Alberta.
If you would like to receive more information on this program, please click the link provided.
Program Admissions
Career Potential
Registered EMRs may be employed in ground ambulances, clinics, fire services and industrial settings.
Credentials
Certificate
Admission Requirements
Minimum academic requirement or equivalent:
- 70% in English 30-2 or equivalent
- 60% in Math 20-2 or equivalent
- 60% in Biology 30
- Chemistry 30 strongly recommended
Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide.
Other Requirements & Documents:
- 18 years of age
- High School transcripts or equivalent; or CAAT-D testing with a 6 Stanine in Math & English and achieve a minimum of 60% on the Biology 30 challenge exam
- Standard First Aid Certificate (issued within one year of program start date)
- BLS (Basic Life Support) Certificate
- Class 5 Alberta driver's license (GDL is acceptable) and a signed waiver stating understanding of employment requirements for a Class 4 license for some employers
- Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Search (within 2 months of program start)
- Signed Police Information Check waiver form
- Signed Immunization form
- Signed Immunization and Placement Disclosure waiver form
- Signed Health Status form
- Please refer to the following link for Moodle minimum technical requirements: Moodle page.
- ESL - ALL students whose first language is not English must meet one of the following:
IELTS Academic Format with minimum scores as follows: Listening 7.5; Reading 6.5; Writing 7.0; Speaking 7.0.
TOEFL iBT (internet Based) with minimum test scores as follows: Listening 23; Reading 21; Writing 25; Speaking 22.
Note: Testing must have been completed within two years prior to application to the program.
Transferability: N/A
Program Start/End Date
August 28, 2023 to January 19, 2024
Application Deadline
August 15, 2023
Location
Lac La Biche Campus
Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2022
| Tuition | $3424.72 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $78.40 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Program Specific Fees | $55.00 |
| Comptracker | $63.53 |
| ITLS | $51.98 |
| BLS | $3.85 |
| TWMFR | $33.00 |
| TDG | $23.04 |
| WHIMIS | $23.04 |
| Driving Course | $60.50 |
| Total | $3,988.33 |
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
Tuition Deposit (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs and international only)
Domestic Students - $100
Need help funding your education? Check out our funding options.
Other purchases may be necessary in order for students to complete their courses/program.
2021 - 2022
Audit Fee - 50% of Course Fee
Document re-issuance Fee - such as, student ID, meal card, certificates etc. (Non-refundable)
Fee is per document - $10
GED Exam Fee (refundable if writing is cancelled)
Writing Fee - $200
Re-write Fee - $190
Invigilation Fee (Non-refundable)
Administration Fee - $25
Invigilation Fee per hour - $25
Prior Learning Assessment Fee (Non refundable)
Cost recovery, minimum $250/course
Supplemental/Deferred Exams (Non-refundable) - $25
Transcript Evaluation Fee - not applicable to dual credit high schools (non-refundable)
External Advanced Credit - $50
Transcript Fee - $10
Tuition Deposit (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs and international only)
Domestic Students - $100
International Students - $500
Paramedicine - $1500
Emergency Medical Responder
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We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.