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EMS Education Coordinator Requirements


Virginia EMS Providers interested in becoming an EMS Education Coordinator must meet the following requirements in accordance with 12 VAC 5-31-1549. The provider must:

  1. Make application online through the EMS Portal. Click here to see how to access the EMS Education Coordinator online application.

    The pre-requisites are:

    12VAVC-5-31-1549. EMS education coordinator prerequisites.

    Prerequisites for certification as an EMS education coordinator are:

    1. Be a minimum of 21 years of age.
    2. Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
    3. Hold current Virginia EMS certifications as an EMT or higher level Virginia EMS certification.
    4. Have three years medical experience with a minimum of two years verified field experience as an EMS provider at the appropriate  EMS level or two years of current Virginia licensure as  a registered nurse,  physician assistant, doctor of osteopathic medicine, or doctor of medicine.
    5. Must not have any EMS compliance enforcement actions within the previous five years
  2. Obtain a minimum score of 85% on a written EMS Education Coordinator Pre-Test examination.
    1. EMS Education Coordinator pretest results are valid for a period of two years from the date of the written examination.
    2. An applicant failing the written pretest is not eligible to retest for a period of 90 days from the date of the examination.
  1. An EMS Education Coordinator candidate shall demonstrate competency during a formal practical pretest examination. An EMS Education Coordinator candidate shall provide the Office of EMS the following to be eligible for the practical examination:
    1. An EMS Education Coordinator candidate affiliated with an EMS agency shall be recommended by the EMS physician serving as the agency's OMD.
    2. An EMS Education Coordinator candidate who is not affiliated with an EMS agency shall provide both a recommendation from an EMS physician and a statement from the employer or perspective employer attesting to the need for instructor certification to meet the EMS training needs of the organization.
      (The Office of EMS will provide an OMD/PCD Endorsement Form for this purpose to candidates passing the written pre-test.)
  2. An EMS Education Coordinator candidate shall receive an invitation from the Office of EMS to attend an Instructor Institute after successful completion of all pre-testing.

If you meet the prerequisites, the next step would be to secure your Eligiblity Letter from the EMS Portal and register with your local Regional EMS Council to take the EMS Education Coordinator Pre-Test. Candidates can register online to take the EMS Education Coordinator Pre-Test by clicking here.

All qualified and endorsed EMS Education Coordinator Candidates who have passed the written Pre-Test are invited to a practical exam. Qualified, endorsed EMS Education Coordinator Candidates are invited to the next Instructor Institute based on the location and number of slots available. Traditionally we hold three Institutes a year, one in the winter, summer and fall. The Institute is 5 days, Saturday through Wednesday.

Providers who have current VDFP Instructor I or higher or a Masters Degree in Education may be exempt from some portions of the Institute. If you have these qualifications, please contact the Office of EMS for more information - 804-888-9120.

How long the process can take depends on where we are in our annual process as you begin your journey. You can see the deadlines to pass the written exam and dates/locations of the Institutes on our website:

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/Training/BLS_InstructorSchedule.htm.

The Office holds the winter Institute in metro Richmond, the summer Institute in conjunction with the VAVRS Rescue College at VA Tech and the fall Institute in metro Richmond. Practical exams are generally held in the same region as the upcoming Institute.

The only cost associated with the process is travel, food and lodging for the practical and time spent at the Institute. The amount varies depending on where we hold the Institute.

Last Updated: 05-21-2013

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