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Frequently Asked Questions For Prehospital EMS Personnel Updated 5/6/03
Are National Registry CE Courses automatically approved for
Pennsylvania?
The National Registry does not approve CE courses – it
recognizes CE approved by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board
for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS) on a 1:1 basis for basic,
rescue, and advanced CECBEMS categories. Distributed education (such
as Internet courses, etc.) is accepted by NREMT on a limited basis. PA
DOH does not automatically approve NREMT or CECBEMS CE at this
time.
Are CECBEMS approved and rated courses automatically approved by
PA?
The PA DOH currently recognizes only those courses reviewed
and approved by the Department and does not ‘automatically’ accept any
externally approved courses.
Are Internet courses accepted in PA?
Internet courses fall under a category that is being defined
nationwide as “Distributed Education.” Distributed education is currently
a hotly debated topic in the educational arena, with no consensus on what,
or how much, if any, should be accepted as CE in prehospital education.
Check with a local regional EMS council to verify whether or not the
course has been approved for CE.
May an ALS service medical director require more CE of a practitioner?
Yes, an ALS service medical director may require a practitioner
to do more if, during review of the qualifications of a practitioner, the
ALS service medical director determines that the practitioner does not
demonstrate competence in performing the skills needed for the ALS
ambulance service. Alternatively, the ALS service medical director may
specify the area of CE for the practitioner to complete to perform all
prescribed skills under medical command authorization/reauthorization
(i.e., new skills, techniques or medications, or areas of weakness).
However, an ALS service medical director may not require a practitioner
to complete additional CE requirements for medical command
authorization/reauthorization unless the ALS service medical director first
determines that the practitioner has not demonstrated competence to
secure medical command authorization/reauthorization to perform all
skills in the practitioner’s prescribed scope of practice.
May ambulance services require more CE than PA DOH requires?
Yes, a service may require this as a condition of employment
(paid or volunteer). For example, providers may be required to maintain
annual or biennial EVOC, BTLS or HazMat course completion for
employment. Therefore, even if a practitioner meets PA DOH CE
requirements, the practitioner may need to attend additional courses if
required by the employer.
May a practitioner receive credit hours for CPR?
No, the law requires CPR in addition to a specified number of
CE hours.
How does the American Heart Association (every 2 years) or American
Red Cross (every year) CPR renewal requirement affect a practitioner’s
PA DOH certification?
This does not relate to a practitioner’s PA DOH certification. It
is the practitioner’s decision as to whether or not to choose to comply with
another organization’s requirements. However, the practitioner must have
a current CPR authorization when re-certifying with the PA DOH.
Which CPR program is a practitioner required to complete for PA DOH
re-certification?
A practitioner must complete a CPR program approved by the
PA DOH for prehospital practitioners and the program must include one
(1) and two (2) person adult, infant, child CPR and obstructed airway. If a
practitioner is not sure that a program is approved, the practitioner should
contact the regional EMS council.
Are out-of-state classes approved for CE within Pennsylvania?
Yes. The regulations provide procedures for “CE by
endorsement.” It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide the course
outlines and time allocations to the regional EMS council for approval.
Topics must relate to the practitioner’s scope of practice and enhance
patient care. Applications for “CE by endorsement” may be obtained from
the regional EMS council.
How long is a regional EMS council and CE sponsor required to retain
CE records and how long should a practitioner keep CE records?
4 years.
Can a practitioner request an extension to continue practicing if his/her
certification has expired?
No, once the certification expired, the practitioner cannot
practice under that certification, until the requirements are met for recertification.
If a practitioner has a complaint about the CE sponsor, whom should the
practitioner contact?
The practitioner should contact the regional EMS council.
How will a practitioner know the CE sponsor is accredited?A list of PA DOH accredited CE sponsors may be obtained from
the regional EMS council’s web site or the PA DOH web site
(www.health.state.pa.us), or a practitioner may request a list from the
regional EMS council. If a practitioner is in doubt, contact the regional
EMS council prior to attending any session.
A practitioner does not agree with the report of CE hours. Whom does the
practitioner contact? What is the practitioner required to do?
The practitioner should contact the regional EMS council issuing
the report WITHIN 30 (thirty) DAYS of the issuance of the report. After
30 (thirty) days, the report will be assumed to be correct if no changes are
made. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to provide documentation
verifying successful completion of the courses for which the practitioner
is claiming continuing education credit.
If a practitioner is temporarily suspended or on leave from an ambulance
service (paid or volunteer) is the practitioner still eligible to take CE
courses to maintain certification?
Yes, the practitioner is still eligible to take CE courses anywhere
across the Commonwealth of PA. CE can be attained through many
sources. The regional EMS councils, CE sponsors, and training institutes
frequently display lists of CE offerings on their websites or provide
monthly lists to area ambulance services and hospitals. Education is
available to everyone.
If a practitioner is a member of the military and is deployed to active
duty, can the practitioner maintain their certification through CE?
Yes, the practitioner can attempt to fulfill CE requirements by
taking course while on deployment. Some methods of attaining CE for
military personnel include JEMS magazine articles, EMS Magazine
articles, Pulse videos, etc. The military has many very good programs that
may be available to the active duty personnel. If a practitioner is unable to
maintain his/her CE requirements, the practitioner will be required to
provide the regional EMS council with the official paperwork, verifying
the tour of duty and the official discharge dates. The regional EMS
council will work with the practitioner to fulfill his/her CE requirements.
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