Emergency medical responders are specially trained to provide out-of-hospital care in medical emergencies. Depending on the training, emergency medical responder plays a vital role in providing first aid and basic life support.
In Canada, Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) is recognized by the National Occupational Competency Profile Paramedic Association of Canada. Let’s have a glimpse about first responder career in Canada and how you can become a professional…
What Do Emergency Medical Responders Do?
A first responder may work with law enforcement, fire rescue or industrial response. They may render emergency medical care to adults, elderly, children and infants based on the assessment. Following are some primary duties that EMRs perform:
- Answer call signals confidently
- Transport patients in wheelchair or stretcher
- Ventilating Patients
- Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Opening and maintaining an airway
- Providing medical care of simple and multiple system trauma such as:
- Controlling haemorrhage
- Stabilizing injured patients
- Assisting in emergency childbirth
- Manage general medical complaints
- Reassuring patients
- Confidently taking patient’s vital
- Monitor the patient’s status and document patient care
- Maintenance, cleaning and sterilization of equipment
Where Can Emergency Medical Responders Work?
Population growth and the ageing population has led to an increase in employment opportunities. Emergency medical responder mainly works in the following:
- Assisted Care Facilities
- Hospitals
- Ambulatory Health Care Services
- Search and Rescue
- Production Houses
- Oil & Gas Sector
- Event Management Companies
- Industrial Units
- Manufacturing Companies & many more
Also Read:- What Jobs you can get with Emergency Medical Responder Course?
How Much Do Emergency Medical Responders Make?
According to Job Bank Canada, job opportunities for first responders are good in Ontario for the next 3 years.
In Ontario, emergency medical responders earn between C$17.00/hour and C$27/hour. With experience and additional training, one can earn up to C$31/hour in the Toronto region.
What are the Educational Requirements of Emergency Medical Responders?
Prior to enrolment, certain requirements must be met for every profession. Likewise, this line of work necessitates the following requirements…
Education & Training
First responders are valued members of the healthcare system in Canada. To work as an emergency medical responder in Ontario, you need the following:
- Ontario Secondary School education or equivalent.
- Successful completion of the emergency medical responder course with specialized topics such as CPR and First Aid.
- An appropriate class of driver’s license may be required.
Qualities of Skilled Emergency of Medical Responders
To succeed in emergency medical services, the following traits are invaluable:
- Ability to Communicate: EMRs need to communicate verbally, non-verbally and in writing. A significant part of the job includes listening to patients; thus, active listening skills are essential.
- Teamwork & Cooperation: Medical responders work as a part of the team; they coordinate with the dispatch services as well as the medical team. Within the team, they work along with partners to stabilize the patient, perform CPR and to transport patients.
- Assessment Skills: Arriving on the scene and determining the right course of action is essential. An accurate review of patient’s vitals, severity and medical history by EMR will help paramedics provide proper medication.
- Physical Fitness: EMRs need a certain degree of physical strength to lift and move patients down the stairs or to the ambulance. Climbing, stooping, running is a normal part of the job and can be physically exerting. The physical ability to perform necessary actions is indispensable.
- Emotional Intelligence: Emergency medical responders interact with patients and families in highly personal situations. They should keep calm under extreme situations, operate professionally and act compassionately.
Pros and Cons of Emergency Medical Responder Career
Like any other career, Emergency Medical Responder Career comes with its own benefits and drawbacks. Let’s have a look:
Also Read: Rising Demand for Emergency Medical Responders: Opportunities and Challenges
How to become an Emergency Medical Responder in Canada?
Do you have what it takes to be an Emergency Medical Responder?
If you are a recent secondary school graduate planning to get started in emergency medical services; Emergency Medical Responder course from Paramedic Academy is apt for you.
Our 44 hours training program prepares applicants to provide pre-hospital care. Gain knowledge and hands-on training for accurate patient assessments, interventions, including the safe transportation of a patient to a healthcare facility.
Want to know more about the program? Give us a call at +1 (905) 212 9039.
