Alberta EMT vs. BC PCP

[prmdc_girl91]

(Apologies if this has been asked already, did a search and didn't find anything)

I currently live in AB and have taken the EMR course, but am not yet registered with ACP. Right now I'm debating between staying in Alberta or moving to BC. But some questions.
-What are the prospects for employment? I realize they're probably down right across the board right now, but is it harder to find work in BC than in Alberta?
-To get into college in AB, you have to be registered with ACP, correct? In BC you don't have to be (considering it's ALBERTACP), but is there a similar organization?
-With BC/AB training, how hard is it to switch between provinces?

Hopefully that makes sense and isn't redundant from anyone else's questions. Any help is REALLY appreciated, thanks!

[Paraone]

(Apologies if this has been asked already, did a search and didn't find anything)

I currently live in AB and have taken the EMR course, but am not yet registered with ACP. Right now I'm debating between staying in Alberta or moving to BC. But some questions.
-What are the prospects for employment? I realize they're probably down right across the board right now, but is it harder to find work in BC than in Alberta?
-To get into college in AB, you have to be registered with ACP, correct? In BC you don't have to be (considering it's ALBERTACP), but is there a similar organization?
-With BC/AB training, how hard is it to switch between provinces?

Hopefully that makes sense and isn't redundant from anyone else's questions. Any help is REALLY appreciated, thanks!

Well I can try to answer some of your questions for you. You would probably have no trouble getting work with the BCAS. We are always needing more people. There is a licensing board down in Victoria. Sorry I do not have the website for you. But you do need to register with them to get your license. Now BCAS would hire you, under the condition that you got your license to practice as a EMR. You would hired as a "Driver only" you still get to help with dealing with the patient, just not assessing them. If you want some information you can always look at the BCAS website they have tons of information for you and you should be able to find the licensing board website as well. If not go the Justice Institute of BC and you will find the website on there I believe.
Hope this helps a little, sorry I am not much more help in the field of applying from AB to BC.

[prmdc_girl91]

Thank you.

With the registration is it like in Alberta with the whole written test/practical scenario?

(Honestly! Why don't they just make this a Canada-wide thing, it would save SO many headaches.)

[Paraone]

From what I know, to get your EMR license you have to do a written and I think two practicles. For my Primary Care Paramedic license I have to do 3 scenarios and no written. Thank God!! Ya it would make it easier if they would make it so we could work in both provinces with either your PCP or EMT-A or if you have your EMR you should be able to work in either province with out having to take licensing again. Is there not many jobs in Alberta for EMR?

[Bonesy]

TILMA is making BC and AB one big job market for EMRs. April 1st is the magic date, if you're licensed in one you're licensed in the other. There's a few more steps for PCP and up, but the rational if for EMR's to essentially have no border. I have heard (can't say for sure) that licensing tests aren't as stringent in AB but I don't know, I never sat an exam there. I would recommend doing your exam wherever you've done your training to ensure that the provincial medical direction you've been taught jives with what licensing is examining. Call BC's EMALB to fact check me on the TILMA meaning you won't have to sit a license AFTER APril 1st, but I'm pretty sure it's just an admin fee.
Hope this helps, post it up if I'm wrong on TILMA
Cheers

[Lynx]

Go and take the ACP exam.
Register as an EMR.
Find the money to take the EMT course somewhere in Alberta.
Go and take the ACP exam.
Register as an EMT in Alberta.

Then (because of TILMA) you can work in either Alberta (where there is a shortage of EMTs and lots of jobs) or BC (where you can earn $2 an hour on call in the middle of the mountains), AND you will have a good education.

Good luck.

[pitottube]

realisticly there will be a huge market for just emr in alberta soon as the province fumbling with ambulance services is going to result in tiered ambulances meaning emr/emt and paramedic/emt ambulances. It really isnt that hard to do the emt portion either as emr allows you to do very little

[unglunk]

Hey guys, on a slightly related note, any word on this whole Alberta reciprocity with other provinces happening in April? I work in SK as a PCP and would love to check out a few options in Alberta, but don't really want to jump through this ACP hoop only to have it handed to the other provinces a month or two later. Any input is appreciated, preferably possitive, but i'm flexible lol. Manitoba gave me reciprocity without batting an eye; my fancy title there is Tech-P, not that I have used this license.

[cupcake]

Im a EMT-A in Alberta Registered with ACP and was thinking of moving to BC. Is there a way I can just transfer my licence? and what organization governs the ems world in BC?

[FireChef]

Im a EMT-A in Alberta Registered with ACP and was thinking of moving to BC. Is there a way I can just transfer my licence? and what organization governs the ems world in BC?

It is governed by EMA Licensing, just type in BC EMA Licensing, and badda-bing, budda-boom, there it is, you have to register online, and then you will see dates for exams.