Administrative Issues Chapter 3

Administrative Issues in EMS Education

Federal Level Regulations

  • Overview: Numerous policies and procedures govern paramedic education, especially for initial certification.

  • Key Agencies and Organizations:

    • NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration): Sets educational standards and instructor guidelines.

    • Studies for Children: Specific regulations and considerations.

    • NASEMSO & NASMIC: Associations for EMS directors and training coordinators.

    • American College of Surgeons & American College of Emergency Physicians: Professional medical bodies.

    • National Registry of EMTs: Certification standards.

    • CoAEMSP: Committee on Accreditation for EMS Programs; enforces rules for CAAHEP.

    • CAAHEP: Accrediting body for paramedic programs.

    • FEMA: Involvement in certain aspects.

    • NFPA & International Association of Firefighters: Influence on some standards.

    • Peer Review: Scientific guidelines and standards.

State Level Regulations

  • State EMS Office: Regulatory guidelines, often through a state agency or Department of Health.

  • State Laws: Statutes impacting EMS education.

  • Local Accreditation: Regulations for schools at the local level.

Local Level Regulations

  • Agency Policies: Regulations within the specific EMS agency.

  • Educational Institutions: College, fire department, or hospital policies.

Example: Record Retention Policy

  • Complexity: Illustrates the challenge of adhering to multiple guidelines.

  • Varying Requirements:

    • National Registry: 7 years.

    • American Heart Association: 2 years.

    • State EMS Department: 4 years.

    • School/University/Tech Center: 5 years.

    • CAAHEP/CoAEMSP: Requires a policy but no specific duration.

Institutional Guidelines

  • Comprehensive Policies: Create a single policy that encompasses all requirements.

  • Adherence: Ensure policies adhere to local, program-specific, state, and federal guidelines.

Considerations for Creating Policies and Procedures

  • Safety: Prioritize safe practices.

  • Legality: Ensure compliance with legal requirements.

  • Best Practices: Incorporate current best practices.

  • Standards: Adhere to established standards.

  • Grant Requirements: Comply with grant stipulations.

  • Research: Base policies on relevant research.

Shared Governance

  • Collaborative Approach: Involve others in policy development.

  • Drafting and Input: Assign policy drafts to individuals for review and input from the group.

  • Approval Process: Final approval by the responsible authority after collaborative input.

Sharing Policies and Procedures

  • Multiple Channels: Use various methods to communicate policies.

  • Examples: Handbook, syllabus, online postings.

  • Integration: Align with mission statement, program goals, and job descriptions.

Avoiding Conflicts

  • Consistency: Ensure policies do not conflict with each other.

  • Example: Consistent minimum passing scores across all documents (e.g., handbook and syllabus).

  • Accountability: Clear policies enhance accountability.

Policy Considerations

  • Policy on: All possible scenarios.