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EMS Section: Accreditation of Paramedic Educational Programs
IAFC On Scene: October 1, 2009 At FRI 2009, the EMS Section presented a preconference about current and emerging issues for the chief officer. While a number of issues were covered during the course of the day, one presentation directly correlates with a couple of topics that we have been discussing in this column. As we have presented information on the EMS Agenda for the Future and national certification, the issue of accreditation of paramedic educational programs also falls within this realm. In the July column, we briefly discussed this topic and the fact that the IAFC, through the EMS Section, now had representation on the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP), which is accrediting paramedic programs. At the precon, Dr. George Hatch, executive director of CoAEMSP, gave his presentation titled “Accreditation is Not a Four-Letter Word!” In his presentation, Dr. Hatch noted that the EMS Agenda for the Future (1996) and the EMS Education Agenda for the Future: A System’s Approach (2000) both provide direction on the need for accreditation of these educational programs. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) called for “a single national accrediting agency” in their report titled EMS at the Crossroads (2006). The question becomes why. Accreditation, as we have seen with fire department accreditation through the Centers for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), ensures that the program meets a recommended set of standards that is accepted by the profession. Since EMS is the “only allied-health profession that does not mandate graduation from an accredited school” (Hatch, 2009), this has contributed to part of our struggle to elevate EMS as a profession instead of a trade. Obtaining accreditation is one step in moving EMS forward and working toward the goals listed in the Agenda. Dr. Hatch went on to say that accreditation does not supersede your state EMS office, it does not seek to replace states’ rights and this process is designed to supplement and support the systems already in place. He went on to address how long the process takes—anywhere from 6-12 months after submission, how much it costs—approximately $5000 for initial, less on reaccredidation, and that while the process does appear intimidating, it is just a matter of making it happen. The requirements are listed at www.coaemsp.org, and Dr. Hatch recommended that not only should you carefully review these requirements, but also you should enlist assistance and not hesitate to contact CoAEMSP. One of the biggest concerns fire service-based paramedic programs were concerned with was the apparent mandatory need to be affiliated with or sponsored by a college or university and that previous standards didn’t allow fire departments or fire/EMS academies to be considered in this process. These standards were revisited at the CoAEMSP board meeting in Orlando in August just before FRI. The new interpretation identifies that,
Dr. Hatch further clarified this issue, stating that any program must meet the sponsorship requirements outlined in the Standards and Guidelines. A program could be affiliated with a post-secondary institution, a foreign post-secondary institution that has been approved by CAAHEP (the parent organization of CoAEMSP), with an approved clinic, hospital, or medical center, or through a branch of the military, or other governmental, educational, or medical service. Since fire-based paramedic programs are part of a governmental service, this allows these programs to become certified without a mandatory college affiliation. Nontraditional programs can also become accredited, but it will require a significant amount of work, commitment and dedication by that program. Dr. Hatch stated that while it’s easier to work through an educational institution, there are a number of examples of fire service and hospital-based programs that have achieved accreditation. He closed his presentation by saying that we should consider this as a journey, not a destination, and that this is a necessary step for our profession. Remember, we asked for this. Accreditation will lead to better credibility and increased professionalism, and it demonstrates the commitment of the program to furthering EMS as a whole. As Chief I. David Daniels said at FRI 2009, “EMS—that is my number one business. It’s a growth industry.” And since this is true for most fire departments in the country, let’s embrace EMS and this accreditation process to continue to further our profession, which is truly the greatest profession on earth. More information on the accreditation process can be found at www.coaemsp.org. Chief David S. Becker (ret.), vice chair of the EMS Section, and Chief Paul Berlin, Gig Harbor, Wash., serve as our representatives on the CoAEMSP board. Norris W. Croom III, EMT-P, CMO, is the division chief of operations for the Castle Rock (Colo.) Fire and Rescue Department. He’s been a member of the EMS Section for 10 years and currently serves as the director at large. |
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