General education requirements
for EMS provider recertification (WAC 246-976-161).
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The EMS provider must complete the
continuing medical education and examination (CME) method,
identified in
WAC 246-976-162 or the ongoing training and evaluation
program (OTEP) method, identified in
WAC 246-976-163 for each
certification period. (See Below)
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The EMS provider shall maintain
records of successfully completed educational, practical skill
evaluation and skill maintenance requirements.
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Education for recertification must
be approved by the MPD. Educational and topic content requirements
must include:
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Knowledge and skills found in
instructor guidelines identified in
WAC 246-976-023, appropriate
to the level of certification being taught;
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Nationally recognized training
programs for CPR, foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO), and
defibrillation and patient care appropriate to the level of
certification at the health care provider level and meet
JAMA standards; and
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Current county medical program
director (MPD) protocols, regional patient care procedures,
county operating procedures and state triage destination
procedures.
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Nationally recognized training
programs may be incorporated as part of the required educational
content.
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Skill maintenance is a required
educational component for recertification. These requirements
may be obtained as part of an OTEP:
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For EMS providers completing the
CME method the required skills are defined in
WAC 246-976-162.
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For EMS providers completing the
OTEP method the required skills are defined in
WAC 246-976-163.
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Upon approval of the MPD, if an
paramedic provider is unable to complete the required
endotracheal intubations, an EMS provider may meet this
requirement by completing an MPD and department-approved
intensive airway management training program, covering all
knowledge and skill aspects of emergency airway management.
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An EMS provider must
successfully complete department-approved knowledge and practical
skill examinations as identified in
WAC 246-976-171.
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An EMS provider changing
from the CME method to the OTEP method must meet all requirements of
the OTEP method.
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Any EMS provider changing from
the OTEP method to the CME method must meet all requirements of the CME
method.
The CME method of recertification
(WAC 246-976-162).
To complete the CME method of
recertification, the EMS provider must complete and document the
completion of the requirements, indicated in Table A and Table B below,
appropriate to the level of certification, for each certification
period.
Table A - Education Requirements for
Recertification
The OTEP method of
recertification (WAC 246-976-163)
To complete the OTEP method of
recertification, the EMS provider must complete and document the
completion of and MPD and department-approved OTEP that meets the requirements, indicated in Table A and Table B below,
appropriate to the level of certification, for each certification
period. Skill maintenance requirements may be obtained as part
of the OTEP.
Table A - Education Requirements for
Recertification
Definitions of selected terms
used in Tables A and B for CME and OTEP
1. Cardiovascular education and
training for adults, children, and infants includes:
2.
Endotracheal intubation:
Proficiency includes the verification of proper tube placement and
continued placement of the endotracheal tube in the trachea through
procedures identified in county MPD protocols.
3. Infectious
disease: Infectious disease training must meet the
requirements of chapter
70.24
RCW.
4. Intraosseous infusion:
Proficiency in intraosseous line placement.
5. IV starts: Proficiency in
intravenous catheterization performed on sick, injured, or preoperative
adult and pediatric patients. With written authorization of the MPD, IV
starts may be performed on artificial training aids.
6. Supraglottic airway placement:
Proficiency includes the verification of tube placement and continued
placement of the supraglottic airway, in a skill lab setting, through
procedures identified in county MPD protocols.
7.
Other pediatric topics: This
includes anatomy and physiology and medical problems including special
needs patients appropriate to the level of certification.
8.
Patient assessment: This
includes adult, pediatric, and geriatric patients appropriate to the
level of certification.
9.
Pharmacology: Pharmacology
specific to the medications approved by the MPD (not required for EMRs).
10.
Proficiency: Ability to
demonstrate and perform all aspects of a skill properly to the
satisfaction of the MPD or delegate.
11. Spinal immobilization and
packaging: This includes adult, pediatric, and geriatric patients
appropriate to the level of certification.
12.
Trauma: For adult, pediatric,
and geriatric patients appropriate to the level of certification.
Skill maintenance requirements
for reciprocal certification applicants
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Reciprocity applicants
credentialed less than three years must meet Washington State skill
maintenance requirements for the initial certification period identified
above.
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Reciprocity applicants
credentialed three years or more must meet Washington States skill
maintenance requirements for second and subsequent certification
periods.
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The county MPD may evaluate an
EMS provider's skills to determine proficiency in the application of
those skills prior to recommending certification. The MPD may recommend
that an EMS provider obtain specific training to become proficient in
any skills deemed insufficient by the MPD or delegate.
