Guideline 1-500 - EMS Education and Competency

CMH EMS & MIH Protocols


Scope:

LicenseVolunteerCareerCMH
EMDNAYesNA
EMRYesYesNA
EMTYesYesNo
AEMTYesYesNo
RNYesYesNo
MedicYesYesNo
CPYesYesNo

Guideline:

Each individual following these protocols shall be educated and demonstrate competence.

Purpose:

The purpose of this guideline is to establish a process and standards for responders (non CMH-employees) to aquire education and maintain emergency medical competence.

CMH Pre-Hospital employees are subject to Policy PHS01-37 - Ambulance Education and Competency.

Procedure:

  1. General Requirements: Two tables below detail requirements for those responders and staff utilizing these protocols. The first table is for first responders and ambulance staff that are not employees of Citizens Memorial Hospital Pre-Hospital Services. The second table is for staff that are employed by CMH PHS.
  2. Required Licenses: Refer to the tables below for the required licenses for each responder level. Each individual is responsible for maintaining licensures as listed.
  3. Required Certifications: Refer to the tables below for the required certifications for each responder level. Each individual is responsible for obtaining and maintaining certifications as listed.
  4. Required Competence: Each year, a list of competency requirements will be compiled from input from Quality Program, MEDICAL CONTROL, staff, dispatch agencies, and first responder agencies.
    1. Required Annual Competence: Life support competency opportunities will be available throughout the year (typically every month on the second Tuesday). Successful completion of the Life Support Competency is equivalent to a refresher certification in AHA BLS, ACLS, and PALS (if the student already possesses an unexpired certificate). New AHA certification cards along with CEU certificates will be issued upon successful completion.
    2. Required Triannual Competence: At least three times per year, an educational competency will be held. Competencies will routinely be comprised of different topics offered throughout the year. Additional classroom and/or skill competencies may be required based on community and professional development needs. Competency schedule will be posted and announced at least 30 days ahead. Typically, one competency topic per trimester. Refer to Education Manual Section 2-720 - Generic Education Calendar for schedules and announcement flyers. Agencies may deliver the competency locally with the approval of CMH PHS. CMH PHS will offer each topic at least five times over a two-week period to allow participation. CEU certificates will be issued upon successful completion.
    3. Required Monthly Competence: Each month, a protocol quiz is available to familiarize responders and staff with current protocols. Refer to Monthly Protocol Competency Quizzes for the list of links to find all quizzes available for the year. Completion of each month's protocol quiz is only valid if completed within the given month (i.e. after the first day and before the last day of the month). Quizzes are open-book and may be taken as many times as necessary to obtain a passing score of at least 80%. CEU certificates will be issued upon successful completion.
  5. Recordkeeping: It is the responsibility of each agency to maintain records demonstrating each responder meets these requirements.
Level Required Licenses Required Certifications Required Competence
EMD
  • None.
  • EMD certification.
  • AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or equivalent.
  • Annual: EMDs may, but are not required, to attend life support competencies. Maintaining AHA BLS certification is sufficient.
  • Triannual: Annually, each EMD shall attend and successfully complete 100% of the offered topics that year.
  • Monthly: Annually, each EMD shall successfully complete 100% of the offered protocol quizzes.
EMR (volunteer)
  • None.
  • EMR certification.
  • AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or equivalent.
  • Annual: Same as EMD.
  • Triannual: Annually, each volunteer EMR shall attend and successfully complete 33% of the offered topics that year.
  • Monthly: Annually, each volunteer EMR shall successfully complete 33% of the offered protocol quizzes.
EMR (career)
  • None.
  • EMR certification.
  • AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or equivalent.
  • Same as EMD.
EMT (volunteer)
  • State of Missouri Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License.
  • AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or equivalent.
  • Annual: Volunteer EMTs who are not employed by CMH PHS may, but are not required, to attend life support competencies. Maintaining AHA BLS certification is sufficient.
  • Triannual: Annually, each volunteer EMT shall attend and successfully complete 66% of the offered topics that year.
  • Monthly: Annually, each volunteer EMT shall successfully complete 66% of the offered protocol quizzes.
EMT (career)
  • State of Missouri Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License.
  • Same as volunteer EMT.
  • Same as career EMR.
AEMT (volunteer)
  • State of Missouri Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) License.
  • Same as career EMT.
  • Same as volunteer EMT.
AEMT (career)
  • State of Missouri Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) License.
  • Same as volunteer AEMT.
  • Same as career EMT.
RN
  • State of Missouri Registered Nurse (RN) License.
  • Same as career AEMT plus...
  • AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification or equivalent.
  • AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification or equivalent.
  • Annual: RNs who are not employed by CMH PHS may, but are not required, to attend life support competencies. Maintaining AHA BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications is sufficient.
  • Triannual: Same as career AEMT.
  • Monthly: Same as career AEMT.
Medic
  • State of Missouri Paramedic License.
  • Same as RN.
  • Same as RN.

Citations:


Change Log:

DateLink to
previous
version
Description of change
12/13/13pdfAdded National Scope of Practice graphic.
01/29/14Coordinated protocol with CMH policies.
12/12/14pdfRemoved quarterly since we usually have five Competencies annually instead of four.
03/31/15Added competency requirements for EMR (1 competency). Added volunteer EMT requirements (2 Competencies). Modified career EMT requirements (4 Competencies). Clarified Paramedic requirements (all Competencies).
09/16/15pdfAdded requirements for annual RSI skill scenarios and anesthesia intubations.
01/18/16pdfAdded comment about RN/paramedics working as volunteer BLS first responder agency.
01/28/16pdfAdded option for CRNA to verify intubations instead of just an anethesiologist.
07/12/16Removed requirement for intbuations.
07/29/16Removed statement that each competency will be held in each county.
11/11/17pdfUpdated competency schedule.
07/23/19pdfModifiedclarified requirements for individuals to attend competencies.
04/04/20pdfAdded content from old Section 6-030 - CompetenciesEducation. Added requirement for EMDs to complete competencies.
10/07/20Renamed all policies to guidelines.
01/15/21pdfUpdated requirements based on conversation with Dr. Nicholes regarding increasing competency requirements for CMH PHS employees.
01/19/21pdfAdded licensure and certification requirements per conversation with Dr. Nicholes.
01/26/21pdfNo change to content. Rearranged format from grouped by type of requirement to being grouped by type of responder.
06/05/21pdfMoved to emsprotocols.online
09/29/21pdfCondensed document to make it easier to read. Added requirement for NIHSS certification.
02/08/22pdfMoved employee requirements to Policy PHS01-37.

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