Instructor Bulletin
Program Overview
Program Purpose
The American Red Cross Emergency Medical Response (EMR) course is designed to provide the participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as an emergency medical responder (EMR) to help sustain life, reduce pain and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until more advanced medical personnel take over.
Program Highlights
Emergency Medical Response Course
- Instructional materials have been updated to be more user-friendly including an enhanced administration section and improved lesson plan format.
- The EMR basic-level course remains a classroom-only course; there is no blended learning delivery option for the basic-level EMR course.
- The information about opioid overdose and applying tourniquets has been enhanced to increase the focus on these topics.
- The care steps outlined within this program were updated to be consistent with:
- 2015 International Consensus on CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care
(ECC) Science with Treatment Recommendations
- 2015 American Heart Association Guidelines Update for CPR and ECC
- 2015 American Heart Association and American Red Cross Guidelines Update for First Aid
- The updated courses within the program are still designed to meet or exceed National
Emergency Medical Services Education Standards Emergency Medical Responder Instructional Guidelines.
Online Emergency Medical Response Instructor Bridge
- Allows qualified instructors from both the Red Cross and other outside organizations to bridge into the program through an online only course instead of attending a full instructor course.
- Updated to reflect the changes to the program.
- Replaces the Quick Start Emergency Medical Response Instructor Training.
Emergency Medical Response Instructor Course
- Blended Learning course for instructor candidates who do not qualify for the EMR Instructor Bridge or who prefer a more in-depth training than the online-only course.
- Online session provides an introduction to the EMR program to prepare candidates for the in-person session.
- In-person portion includes an EMR skills practice session and three Practice-Teaching assignments to demonstrate their ability to lecture, lead a class in skills practice and lead a Putting-It–All-Together scenario.
Emergency Medical Response Instructor Trainer Bridge
- An online EMR Instructor Trainer (IT) Bridge for currently certified American Red Cross instructor trainers who are also certified EMR Instructors and are interested in teaching the new EMR Instructor Course.
- Qualified applicants will complete an online application to be reviewed by a Training Specialist in order to be approved for the IT Bridge. The application includes information on current certification, basic-level course teaching history, instructor course teaching history and anticipated future EMR Instructor course teaching plans.
This program is being released with the instructor manual available in digital format. Printed materials and DVDs will be available to order via www.redcrossstore.org.
| Key Dates and Activities | |
| Week of November 13, 2017 | Pre-order of updated EMR materials available to customers on the Red Cross Store. |
| December 19, 2017 | • 2017 Emergency Medical Response program releases. Digital materials available on Instructor’s Corner. Print materials begin shipping from the Red Cross Store.
• 2017 Emergency Medical Response Instructor/Instructor Trainer Update available in the Learning Center. • 2017 Emergency Medical Response courses available in the Learning Center. • Last date to deliver 2011 EMR instructor course. |
| March 31, 2018 | Last date for instructor trainers to update their instructor trainer certification to the new program. |
| June 30, 2018 | • Last date for instructors to update their instructor certifications to the new program.
• Last date to deliver 2011 EMR basic-level courses. • Last date to meet the basic-level BLS certification (or equivalent) requirement. |
Basic-Level Courses
The full Emergency Medical Response course is 56 hours and 10 minutes. Durations are based on a ratio of 6 to 10 participants to 1 instructor. Add two (2) hours for each additional participant beyond 10.
| Course Name | Course Code | Version | Course Length | Certificate Period |
| Emergency Medical Response | HSSPRO103 | r.2017 | 56:10 | 2 Years |
| Emergency Medical Response Review | HSSPRO103R | r.2017 | 30:15 | 2 Years |
| Emergency Medical Response Challenge | HSSPRO103C | r.2017 | Varies | 2 Years |
In addition to the full courses, the review and challenge courses will continue to be available with the 2017 program. Course outlines and information on the review and challenge courses will be in the Instructor’s Manual.
The purpose of a review course is to provide participants the opportunity to review the course content within a formal class setting. A review course allows eligible individuals to recertify and receive a certificate for EMR without participating in a full course. To be eligible to participate in a review course, the participant must possess a current American Red Cross Emergency Medical Response certification or an EMR certificate that has expired by no more than 30 days. Those without a certification may not participate in the review course.
The purpose of a challenge course is to provide participants with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skill competency outside of a formal class setting. Anyone is eligible to participate in a challenge. Participants who do not possess a current American Red Cross Emergency Medical Response certification (or equivalent) may participate in the challenge option once.
Instructor Course
Instructor Course Information
The updated EMR Instructor Course is intended for new instructor candidates. The course is a blended learning program including an approximately 2 hour online course followed by a 13 hour, 25 minute in-person sessions. The Emergency Medical Response Instructor course trains instructor candidates to teach the EMR course. In order to participate in the Instructor Course, candidates must:
- Be at least 17 years of age on the last day of the instructor course.
- Possesses a current basic level certification in Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers or equivalent or higher.
The format for instructor training is a blended offering that involves a mandatory online
Introduction to the Emergency Medical Response Instructor Course. To set up a class, complete the Request for Instructor Class Set Up found on Instructor’s Corner. Once your class has been set up in the Learning Center, you will be provided with the information instructor candidates need to self-register. Please allow at least 2.5 weeks for this process.
The instructor course will be a blended learning offering with the following:
- Online Introduction to the EMR Instructor Course
- Classroom session that begins with a pre-course skill session to practice basic-level knowledge and skills followed by sessions in which instructor candidates complete practice-teaching assignments and other activities that will prepare them to teach the basic-level course.
Individuals that do not complete the online Introduction to the EMR Instructor Course, do not meet the requirements of the precourse skill session, or do not possess a current American Red Cross BLS certification (or equivalent or higher) are not eligible to participate in the Emergency Medical Response Instructor course.
The Emergency Medical Response Instructor Trainer’s Guide is available to internal Red Cross staff via The Exchange and to Authorized Providers (APs) and Licensed Training Providers (LTPs) by completing the Instructor Trainer’s Guide web request form located on Instructor’s Corner.
The Emergency Medical Response Instructor course is designed for a ratio of one instructor trainer to six instructor candidates. If the course has more than six instructor candidates, consider adding another instructor trainer to co-teach, or extend the course length. At no time should a single instructor trainer attempt to manage a course with more than 10 instructor candidates.
Emergency Medical Response Instructor Bridge
The Instructor Bridge Course is an online course that allows currently certified American Red Cross instructors in other disciplines or instructors certified with other organizations to participate in online training and become certified American Red Cross Emergency Medical Response instructors. This course provides an orientation to the American Red Cross and the EMR programs materials, policies, and teaching strategies while recognizing their training and teaching experience. Qualified instructor candidates can find course requirements and additional information about the Instructor Bridge on the EMR Instructor’s Corner candidate’s page.
Emergency Medical Response Instructor Trainer Bridge
In order to facilitate teaching of the updated EMR instructor course, we have created an EMR Instructor Trainer Bridge online course. Current American Red Cross Instructor Trainers who satisfy the below requirements may apply to be considered a candidate for the EMR IT Bridge.
For an application to be considered for the EMR IT Bridge, applicants must:
- Be a currently certified, in good standing, and active American Red Cross Instructor Trainer in:
- First Aid/CPR/AED
- CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers
- Lifeguarding
- Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
- Hold current certification as an American Red Cross Emergency Medical Response instructor
- Hold current basic-level certification in American Red Cross Emergency Medical Response, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, Lifeguarding or equivalent
- Be affiliated with a current American Red Cross Authorized Provider or Licensed Training Provider or be employed as a paid or volunteer instructor trainer with the American Red Cross.
- Have verifiable teaching history. Teaching history must include, at minimum:
- Averaging teaching five professional-level CPR courses* of average or higher size
(6+ students per class) in the last three (3) years
- Having taught at least one (1) American Red Cross instructor course within the last twelve (12) months.
- Having taught at least one (1) American Red Cross EMR course within the last twenty-four (24) months.
- It is ideal to have varied experience with larger (9+) and smaller classes (4-8).
- Must be able to supply a letter of recommendation from an employer or sponsor which should address:
- Current and future needs for American Red Cross instructor training
- Why the applicant is suitable to become an instructor trainer in EMR
- Training schedule and frequency for EMR instructor courses
- Target audience for instructor courses
- Agreeable to have quality assurance visits to instructor classes offered by the organization
- Equivalent professional-level courses for three-year teaching history include:
| Organization | Basic-Level Certification Equivalent |
| American Red Cross | Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers Emergency Medical Response Lifeguarding |
| American Heart Association | BLS for Healthcare Providers |
| Health and Safety Institute (HSI)
Includes American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI) and Medic First Aid |
CPR Pro for the Professional Rescuer Emergency Medical Response |
| National Safety Council | Basic Life Support for Health Care & Professional Rescuers |
| Canadian Red Cross | Healthcare Provider (HCP) CPR & AED Emergency Medical Responder |
| Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation | Basic Life Support (BLS) |
| National Registry of Emergency Medical
Technicians, Active State Licensure or Certification |
Paramedic
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Emergency Medical Technician Emergency Medical Responder |
A “Becoming an EMR IT” document detailing the application process for the EMR Instructor Trainer Bridge will be posted on Instructor’s Corner in the “Bridging” section under “Instructor Lifecycle” on December 19, 2017. Steps include:
- Application including supporting documentation submitted via web form and routed to the Training Specialist
- Training Specialist reviews application and determines if candidate is approved to become an EMR IT
- If approved, Training Specialist sends link to EMR IT Bridge and EMR Instructor Trainer’s Guide
- Candidate registers for EMR IT Bridge through the link provided including paying course fees via credit card (note: invoicing and discounting are not allowed for the EMR IT Bridge).
- Candidate completes EMR IT Bridge and upon successful completion is certified as an Emergency Medical Response Instructor Trainer.
Program Materials
All course materials have been updated with the latest science changes. The following products are available for purchase through the Red Cross Store:
- EMR Textbook
- Primary resource for technical information for participants and instructors.
- Includes key terms, learning objectives, scenarios for use in the course, critical facts, pediatric and geriatric considerations, step bystep skill sheets and glossary.
- Available in affordable printed format via redcrossstore.org for participants and as a free digital download for instructors on www.instructorscorner.org.
- EMR Workbook
- Reinforces key concepts and skills taught in the textbook.
- Includes activities, case studies and self-assessments.
- Recommended but not required.
- Only available in print via redcrossstore.org.
- EMR Instructor’s Manual
- Available in affordable printed format via redcrossstore.org and as a free digital download on www.instructorscorner.org.
- Comprehensive step-by-step lesson plans provide activity options for conveying content.
- EMR DVD and Video Segments
- Comprehensive video support including studio-based skill segments that show participants how to correctly perform skills to help ensure lesson objectives are met.
- Videos can be downloaded for free from Instructors Corner or a DVD can be purchased from the Red Cross Store.
- EMR Course Presentation
- Supports all lessons and features key points, activity scenarios, images and a variety of learning topics.
- Free resource in PowerPoint format on Instructor’s Corner. Course presentation does not include the video segments.
- EMR Instructor Trainer’s Guide
- Required resource for teaching the EMR instructor course.
- Includes a variety of activities including the practice-teaching assignments.
- Only available for Instructor Trainers to download on Instructor’s Corner.
Print materials will be available for pre-order to customers on the Red Cross Store beginning the week of November 13, 2017 at the retail prices in the following table. Refer to the table below for specific stock numbers.
| Stock Number | Retail Price | |
| EMR Textbook | 756540 | $99.95 |
| EMR Workbook | 756541 | $74.95 |
| EMR Instructor’s Manual | 756543 | $59.95 |
| EMR DVD | 756542 | $149.95 |
| EMR Student Kit (Textbook + Workbook) | 756560 | $139.95 |
| EMR Instructor Kit (IM + Textbook) | 756562 | $129.95 |
| EMR Deluxe Instructor Kit (IM + Textbook + Workbook + DVD) | 756563 | $179.95 |
Instructor and Instructor Trainer Support
Instructor/Instructor Trainer Update
The online Instructor Update is intended for currently certified American Red Cross EMR instructors. Instructors who complete this online update will have their EMR instructor certification renewed for two more years.
In order to teach the new EMR courses, current instructors and instructor trainers must complete the following by June 30, 2018:
- Obtain, review and retain a copy of the new course materials including the Instructor’s Manual, Textbook, DVD or video segments, and presentation slides as well as the EMR Instructor Bulletin
- Complete the online update
- Meet the basic-level certification requirements: EMR instructors and instructor trainers are required to maintain a basic-level Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers or equivalent by June 30, 2018 in order to maintain their EMR Instructor certification. Equivalent certifications approved for this basic-level requirement are indicated in the following equivalency chart:
| Organization | Basic-Level Certification Equivalent |
| American Red Cross | Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers Emergency Medical Response Lifeguarding |
| American Heart Association | BLS for Healthcare Providers |
| Health and Safety Institute (HSI)
Includes American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI) and Medic First Aid |
CPR Pro for the Professional Rescuer Emergency Medical Response |
| National Safety Council | Basic Life Support for Health Care & Professional Rescuers |
| Canadian Red Cross | Healthcare Provider (HCP) CPR & AED Emergency Medical Responder |
| Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation | Basic Life Support (BLS) |
| National Registry of Emergency Medical
Technicians, Active State Licensure or Certification |
Paramedic
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Emergency Medical Technician Emergency Medical Responder |
Guidance for existing Emergency Medical Response instructors:
- 2011 participant materials cannot be used after June 30, 2018, except for basic-level courses where classes started prior to June 30, 2018 and are already in session.
- r2011 print textbooks will not be available for sale after June 30, 2018 or when existing stocks are depleted, whichever occurs first.
- 2011 print Instructor’s Manuals and DVDs will not be available for sale after the release of the new print Instructor’s Manuals and DVDs materials on December 19, 2017.
- 2011 program products cannot be returned after the release of new program materials on December 19, 2017.
- 2011 program materials available in digital format will be available on Instructor’s Corner until June 30, 2018.
- 2011 EMR instructor courses cannot be taught after the release of the revised program.
EMR Instructor/Instructor Trainer Update FAQs
Question: I am a Red Cross Emergency Medical Response (EMR) Instructor, do I need to complete an update?
Answer: Yes, current EMR Instructors are required to complete the EMR instructor update.
Question: How do I update my instructor certification?
Answer: EMR Instructors were automatically assigned the Instructor Update in the Red Cross Learning Management System and an email notification was sent to alert each instructor that the online update was available for them. In order to complete the update, Instructors/ITs must obtain and review all course materials and complete the online instructor update course.
Question: What should I do if I am a current EMR Instructor and I did not receive the email notification and/or cannot see the update in the Red Cross Learning Center?
Answer: If you were not assigned the update and you think this is in error, please contact the Training Support Center.
Question: What is the deadline for completing the update?
Answer: The deadline for completing the update for instructors is June 30, 2018.
Question: I already completed a recertification assessment recently, why do I need to take an instructor update?
Answer: Instructor recertification is required every two years and that is done by completing a recertification assessment regardless of program updates. An instructor update is required whenever a program is revised as in this case for the EMR program. The Instructor Update for the EMR program provides an overview of the recent ECC science changes incorporated in our programs, changes to the instructional design for the program, and the updated course materials
Question: I completed the update. How can I tell if I am updated in the system?
Answer: Verify your certification by checking your profile in the Learning Management System. Look under the Internal Licenses and Certifications section under the My Profile tab. You should see the certification title with an Acquired on date equal to the date you completed the update.
Question: What is the basic-level certification requirement for EMR Instructors?
Answer: EMR Instructors are required to have a Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification (or equivalent or higher level) in addition to their instructor certification. If an instructor that teaches an EMR course is not already certified in BLS (or equivalent or higher level), that instructor must obtain BLS certification (or equivalent or higher level) by July 31 to maintain their instructor certification. If the instructor already has a current BLS certification (or equivalent or higher level), no further action is required until nearing the expiration of the BLS certification. All instructors teaching the EMR programs must keep their BLS certification current to remain certified as an instructor in the program. Information about equivalent or higher certifications can be found above.
Question: What is the deadline for obtaining the basic-level certification?
Answer: The deadline to obtain the BLS certification (or equivalent) is June 30, 2018.
Question: Do I need to obtain my BLS certification before completing the online Instructor Update?
Answer: No. The update can be completed prior to obtaining the BLS certification.
Question: Do I need to obtain my BLS certification before teaching the updated courses?
Answer: No. Instructors may begin teaching the updated courses once they have completed the instructor update but the BLS certification must be completed by June 30, 2018.
Question: I am a Red Cross instructor in other programs but do not teach the EMR programs, do I need to do this update?
Answer: No. Only EMR instructors are required to complete the update.
