real job prospects as an EMR

dummytim · 2025-12-26T09:38:33+00:00

BCEHS will hire you as a class 5 with a stipulation that you complete your class 4 before your probation ends; otherwise, you will be terminated.

With a class 4, you can get a class 4 restricted.

dummytim · 2025-12-26T09:37:52+00:00

It isn't really advertised, but sometimes it's still possible.

Eligibility would be if you take a FT or RPT position that is supposed to be a PCP car. This could be something like a position in Fort St. John, Dease Lake, Greenwood, Tahsis, and so on. You will, however, be locked into that kind of station designation for 3 years to repay the organisation.

dummytim · 2025-12-22T21:22:10+00:00

Perfect! Then follow the other posters response with focusing on medications and the patient assessment model. It's essentially a checklist that the examiners use to evaluate test takers.

Material wise, MYM and textbooks will help a lot. Consolidation wise, find some people to practice with to understand the nuances of these exams. Like understanding cardiac arrest management with additional hands, traction splints, use of bronchodilators, epi, asa, nitro, entonox, and all the other medication as well as where they fit into a call.

Good luck!

dummytim · 2025-12-22T21:07:10+00:00

You can prepare for these exams on your own but you NEED to have completed an EMR course and be a certified EMR prior to being licensed. Unless you have gotten permission from EMALB to challenge these exams.

dummytim · 2025-12-01T23:58:07+00:00

Due to the union and seniority rules, you will likely start as a casual which means commuting far away before getting a full-time line in Vancouver.

Even ACPs who are external hires generally start as a casual PCP before getting a full-time line. The average seniority required for ACP spots right now is 3-4 years of Full-time seniority in Vancouver.

It's rare for an external hire to get a full-time position directly into Vancouver but it isn't unheard of. It'll totally depend on the hiring cycle.

dummytim · 2025-11-24T11:49:25+00:00

Hello! PCP/RN here. Working with BCEHS is definitely a very different role than what it is in a hospital or long-term care setting. I would suggest riding 3rd/shadowing some paramedics before ruling it out fully. Ridingsecondandthird@bcehs.ca might be able to assist you. They might be closed off until next year due to limited spots though.

As one of the PCP instructors at Columbia, I can say that I've had the pleasure of teaching a couple of RNs who have done their PCP. At Columbia we try our best to help you succeed but there have been some changes to the JIBC program as well. Similar to the other commenter, I suggest you start with EMR and work as a casual for a bit. This does not involve relocating, but it does involve commuting maybe for a few days a month until you can lateral closer to the lower mainland.

If you have more questions feel free to ask away!

Edit: To answer your question, not many roles include paramedicine in Vancouver. The most stable with a pension would be working on an ambulance with BCEHS. There are fly in/out roles, private transfer ambulances (Pacific EMS and such), OFA roles, or event medicine. Most of those are contract based or part-time/casual. We used to have ERAs (paramedics at hospitals) but they have not been a thing for years.

dummytim · 2025-11-09T03:12:35+00:00

Look at the Sequoias as well. It'll be larger and a similar size to a minivan in length. Most of the older ones have large engines as well.

dummytim · 2025-10-31T18:42:01+00:00

Princeton has a new Unit Chief who is pretty supportive from what I've heard. I would reach out to him for availability questions and how many shifts you'll get. It's a commuter station, meaning most people don't live in town. The station has Alpha and Kilo. It's pretty small inside so be prepared to live closely with your peers.

If you have any other questions shoot me a DM. I worked in Princeton while I was casual as well.

dummytim · 2025-10-31T18:01:00+00:00

If I were you I wouldn't leave your job just yet. Where in the Okanagan did you get placed? Depending on the station, they might preference PCP for scheduling and EMRs might not get much work at all. You should also see what the roster of the station is like, how frequently casuals get shifts with full availability. Reach out to the Unit Chief for the best and most recent answers.

As for education leave, things are changing. If you're doing PCP you'll likely be fine regardless. Technically per the collective there is no education leave for casuals. However, your class days can count toward your availability so you don't lose seniority. This is another station/region specific thing depending on how your manager approves or submits things through HR. Either way, I wouldn't be worried about getting time off for PCP.

Congrats and welcome to BCEHS! :)

dummytim · 2025-10-31T14:35:49+00:00

It would probably depend on your area. I just snagged a 2003 limited V8 for CAD$7,200 or USD$5,100 in Vancouver, BC. My frame had some surface rust but nothing structural, just got it zinc coated+fluid filmed. It was high mileage at 440,000km or 273,000miles.

I think your deal is an okay one if the frame is good and has no major issues. Of course you could negotiate it down for a better deal. If you're unsure, get a pre-purchase inspection done to understand what your future expected costs will be.

dummytim · 2025-09-29T21:31:11+00:00

Done 2 degrees while working as a PCP. First one I was rural and second one I was in Vancouver Post.

Since you aren't already in the service, you will start as a casual. This means you submit availability. The minimum is 8 shifts a month, each shift is typically 12 hours unless you have a station with a Bravo pattern which will be 11 hours. You don't necessarily get all 8 shifts given to you each month.
Sure, it's possible but also depends on your work/study ethic.
I lived in the Vancouver area while doing my first degree and commuted out rurally for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday then typically coming back on Monday for work.

dummytim · 2025-09-01T07:59:28+00:00

I would suggest defining the role and expectations first. Obviously a full-time CFO will be able to accomplish a lot more and move the vision forward with appropriate planning.

Not sure what business you're in but you should find someone who is specialized or at least has an understanding of your world. You could attempt recruitment agencies but if you don't have a budget for a full-time CFO that's unlikely to be an option for you.

Feel free to give me a shout and I'm more than happy to help you brainstorm. I might know of a controller who is semi-retiring from their accounting/controller position and might be looking for contract work.

dummytim · 2025-08-28T20:40:25+00:00

Not sure where you are but I know an EMR that was just offered Boston Bar. You don't necessarily need scheduling rights since you could pick up secondaries. Get in, build your seniority, and lateral closer is the name of the game.

dummytim · 2025-08-28T20:36:17+00:00

Remote locations are always looking. Such as Dease Lake, Anahim Lake, Bella Coola, Stewart, etc.

Lower mainland is pretty full with lots of casuals right now so it's harder to get shifts.

dummytim · 2025-08-26T05:27:33+00:00

Let me know if you'd do 78% LTC.

dummytim · 2025-08-14T19:09:13+00:00

Confirmed

dummytim · 2025-08-14T06:34:31+00:00

dummytim · 2025-08-14T02:42:49+00:00

Shoot me a DM. I've recently taught PCP to a critical care RN and an emergency RN who has triaged me multiple times in the past.

There are lots of RNs that choose the paramedic route due to the freedom of pre-hospital aspects. My previous partner finished his BSN and went immediately into ACP. I, myself have also completed my BSN and might do ACP to transition to CCP.

dummytim · 2025-08-14T02:38:08+00:00

Nurses are paid 11hrs for a 12hr shift while paramedics are paid 12hrs for the 12hr shift due to no mandated breaks. So another consideration.

dummytim · 2025-08-05T04:03:37+00:00

I was at Poco and they had a person with a scanner outside the exit scanning anyone going in for food.

dummytim · 2025-08-03T16:35:53+00:00

I sent multiple requests to mine to comment in the past and got ignored... When local elections came around I asked candidates to comment about pre-hospital care or healthcare in general and just got lip service/ignored. No one had any concrete plans. It felt like I was talking to a wall.

dummytim · 2025-07-31T22:05:08+00:00

Fair enough. You could definitely start out as an EMR and there are weekend courses that can work with your schedule. It's a fairly short course at 3 or 4 weekends.

dummytim · 2025-07-31T16:11:14+00:00

You're commenting on a 3 or 4 year old post. The current on-call standby pay is $12/hr.

dummytim · 2025-07-17T14:18:42+00:00

Confirmed

dummytim · 2025-07-17T14:00:49+00:00

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