Education ..Choices - From Calgary

[christinag]

Hey everyone! My name Christina it's nice to meet you all.

I've always wanted to be a Paramedic and I'm happy to say I'll finally be starting my first step to my Paramedic life in January, starting out with EMR

Here is what I have decided to take/attend, and I would love any input or suggestions ..

So for my Emergency Medical Responder I am planning to attend Alberta Health and Safety Training Institute

for EMT I want to go to either SAIT, Flatline Response or Alberta Health and Safety Training Institute depending how the EMR program turns out ..

and for EMT-P I want to go to either SAIT or Professional Medical Associate

Do you think it's bad that I'm taking my courses at different schools?



I know that all schools have their good and the bad ..and with the ones I have chosen people have their likes and dislikes ..if you could please tell me some info on these schools on what you liked about it and didn't ..please do!


Hope to hear from you guys soon!

 

[Zalan]

Its my understanding that EMR is the new title for a first responder. You need EMT-B to start the climb to Paramedic. Why not skip EMT-I and go for Paramedic? Atleast thats how it is in the States.

 

[fortsmithman]

Its my understanding that EMR is the new title for a first responder. You need EMT-B to start the climb to Paramedic. Why not skip EMT-I and go for Paramedic? Atleast thats how it is in the States.

In the province of Alberta where the OP is located EMS is regulated by the Alberta College of Paramedics. ACoP uses the following designations.

EMR which is equal to EMT-B
EMT which is equal to EMT-I
EMT-P which is equal to Paramedic


As well an Alberta EMT is called Primary Care Pramedic in most of Canada. The OP will get to Paramedic after 3 years following this education path. Or the OP could take 4 years and get her BHSc (Paramedic) from Medicine Hat College.

 

[AHASTI]

Hi! Glad to hear you are going to take your EMR at AHASTI! To answer your question (and I will try to be as unbiased as possible), there really should not be any problem with taking your programs at different schools. What the schools generally look for is if you are registered by the Alberta College of Paramedics as an EMR to move onto EMT, and as an EMT to move onto Paramedics. Each school also often has other entrance requirements such as high school, medical forms etc.

Each school has their own teaching methods, schedules etc. What is best is to find a school that works well for you in your learning style, schedules etc. Also it is helpful to stick with a school if you can, if it works for you. We find it helps the student in their comfort levels, they get to know the staff, teaching methods are often the same through the programs etc. If you were successful in one program, you will probably be successful at the next.

As you have already identified, not everyone is going to be happy with every school, but here are a couple of good questions to ask the various schools...1. ACP registration exam stats? 2. Employment Stats? 3. Number of hours in class with an instructor? How much is lecture, how much is skills? 3. How long will you wait for a practicum spot? What areas do you place students for practicum? Do you get a choice? 4. CMA accreditation? Important if you are looking at moving your training outside of Alberta... What you think are good answers will depend on what you are looking for. There are plenty more questions, depending on what is important to you.

I think it is great you have researched the various schools, and awesome that you are looking for information. Where you want to invest your time and money to enhance your career is a big decision!! Happy hunting to make your decision, and hopefully you enjoy your EMR program. If you have any other questions or would like more info, please just ask.