EMS Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach
This report provides a conception for the future of EMS education in the new millennium, including a proposal for a structured system to educate entry-level prehospital EMS personnel. The proposed approach consists of five primary components for national EMS education: National EMS Core Content, National EMS Scope of Practice Model, National EMS Education Standards, National Program Accreditation, and National Certification. Each of these components is discussed with regard to current practices and future goals.
National EMS Core Content (July 2005)
This document presents the broad domain of knowledge and skills that encompass the out-of-hospital EMS disciplines by identifying general practices without delineating the practices into specific EMS personnel levels. This document is the first of several publications produced as part of the vision outlined in the EMS Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach.
National EMS Scope of Practice Model (February 2007)
This manual defines the four levels of EMS licensure - Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced EMT (AEMT), and Paramedic – and is a guide for States in developing their Scope of Practice legislation, rules, and regulations. States following the National EMS Scope of Practice Model as closely as possible will increase the consistency of the nomenclature and competencies of EMS personnel nationwide, facilitate reciprocity, improve professional mobility, and enhance the name recognition and public understanding of EMS.
National EMS Education Standards
The National EMS Education Standards outline the minimal terminal objectives for entry-level EMS personnel to achieve within the parameters outlined in the National EMS Scope of Practice Model. Although educational programs must adhere to the Standards, its format will allow diverse implementation methods to meet local needs and evolving educational practices. The less prescriptive format of the Standards will also allow for ongoing revision of content consistent with scientific evidence and community standards of care.
“Initiative 2009” Status Report (May 2009)
The Division of Educational Development (DED) presented a program to the EMS Advisory Board in August of 2005 titled “Initiative 2009” outlining steps the EMS system in Virginia should take to implement relevant recommendations in the “National EMS Agenda for the Future” and the “EMS Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach.” These recommendations address initiatives suggested by DED staff with input from the Professional Development Committee. The following concepts were supported by the state EMS Advisory Board and described in the “Initiative 2009” document: access to training; educational standards; workforce development; and economic opportunity.
DED identified the following eight goals:
"Training and Certification of EMS Personnel" (April 2007) (Document will be available soon)
"The Training and Certification of Emergency Medical Services Personnel" was produced by NASEMSO with support from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Since EMS systems have evolved differently in each of the 56 states and territories according to the resources, advocacy, political climate, case law and governing experiences of each jurisdiction, the training and certification of emergency medical services personnel also varies between states. Fifty-three of the eligible 56 jurisdictions participated in this project, including all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each state EMS office receives five (5) free copies of new NASEMSO monographs. Monographs are available for purchase at $60 each; members receive a 50% discount. For information on purchasing copies of monographs, please contact NASEMSO Headquarters.