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October 21, 2010
News from the CoAEMSP
A COMMITTEE ON ACCREDITATION OF CAAHEP

In This Issue
ATTEND THE FALL ACCREDIATION WORKSHOP
WHY ACCREDIATION: WHY NOW?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COAEMSP & CAAHEP?
102 DAYS LEFT FOR BACHELORS DEGREE TIME EXTENSION!
Quick Links
CoAEMSP Website

CAAHEP Website

NREMT Website

Institute of Medicine Report

National EMS Scope of Practice

EMS Agenda for the Future

Education Standards

National EMS Core Content
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NASEMSO Resolution 2010-04: National Certification and Program Accreditation


Whereas, the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) recognizes that National EMS Certification and National EMS Education Program Accreditation is vital for the EMS profession; and

 

Whereas, National EMS Certification and National EMS Education Program Accreditation are identified by The EMS Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach ("Education Agenda") as components of the system for preparing qualified EMS personnel; and

 

Whereas, the Education Agenda calls for a single National EMS Certification agency and a single National EMS Education Program Accreditation agency, and calls for all states to adopt National EMS Certification and National EMS Education Program Accreditation; and

 

Whereas, NASEMSO recognizes that EMS is one of the few licensed allied health care professions that does not currently require graduation from a nationally accredited educational program; and

 

Whereas, evidence shows that graduates from accredited programs perform better on the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) paramedic examinations; and

 

Whereas, NASEMSO recently supported a national knowledge, attitudes, and barriers (KAB) survey to evaluate the potential impact of EMS education program accreditation, and most paramedic program directors participating in the 2009 KAB survey support program accreditation; and

 

Whereas, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) issues the national accreditation to paramedic education programs and CAAHEP's Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP), through their many outreach efforts, has made significant progress in assisting paramedic education programs to achieve accreditation; and

 

Whereas, the NREMT issues National EMS Certification; and

 

Whereas, the NREMT has established a target date of 2013 by which paramedics applying for National EMS Certification must have graduated from a nationally accredited education program.

 

Now, therefore be it resolved that NASEMSO supports January 1, 2013 as the beginning date for the NREMT to require graduation from a nationally accredited paramedic education program as a requirement for personnel to gain national EMS certification.

 

Dispelling the Myths

MYTH: Each student must perform 5 live intubations in order for the program to become accredited.

Truth: The CoAEMSP does not set the minimum number of live intubations, the Program does. Live patient encounters must occur; however, appropriate simulations can be integrated into the educational process to provide skills acquisition, develop skills proficiency, provide practice opportunities for low volume procedures, and ensure competency prior to exposure to a patient. The program must show that this method of instruction is contributing to the attainment of the program's goals and outcomes.

 

MYTH: The sponsoring institution must be affiliated with a College or University.

Truth: Governmental EMS academies are eligible if "...affiliated with an accredited post-secondary educational institution or equivalent...", which may include having an articulation agreement with an accredited educational institution (e.g. college), which can provide college credits for the training OR being recognized by the state as a post-secondary educational institution.


It's Not Too Late to Sign Up for the October Accreditation Workshop
Step-by-Step Assistance with the Accreditation Process!

"Accreditation is NOT a Four Letter Word"

This course covers topics such as accreditation overview, self study, site visit preparation, and the preparation of annual reports. Take this opportunity to be guided step-by-step by experienced CoAEMSP and NAEMSE faculty through the accreditation process. Register today!

Sponsored by CoAEMSP and NAEMSE.
 
Atlanta, GA: October 28-29
MEDIX COLLEGE
SMYNRA (ATLANTA), GEORGIA

Click here for more information and to register.

Contact NAEMSE at (412) 920-4775 or [email protected] with questions. Register today!

Watch for the 2011 Accreditation Workshops, Webinars and Site Visitor Webinars schedule coming in November.

72 Days Left!
Time Extension Offered to
Program Directors Needing to Obtain a Bachelors Degree for Accreditation



cap diplomaOne of the requirements for accreditation of Paramedic educational programs is that the program director must possess a Bachelors degree. Because some programs may find it difficult to meet this requirement by the 2013 date, the CoAEMSP Board of Directors has approved a Bachelors Degree Plan for Program Directors.
 
This plan provides an extended period of time for the program director of a program seeking Initial Accreditation to obtain his/her Bachelors degree. To be eligible for this plan, the program must submit its Initial Accreditation Self Study Report (ISSR) and fees to the CoAEMSP for evaluation prior to January 1, 2011. Doing so will allow the program director to demonstrate that qualification by current enrollment and continual satisfactory academic progress (defined as a minimum of 15 semester hours per year) toward a Bachelors degree until successfully completed.
 
THE PROGRAM MUST:

Step 1
Make sure it has an accreditation-eligible sponsor. This can be a college, university, hospital, clinic, medical center, U.S. Armed Forces, governmental educational or medical services, governmental fire academy or governmental EMS training agency, or a consortium. Complete information about accreditation-eligible sponsors is here.

Step 2
Complete the CAAHEP Request for Accreditation Services form found here.

Step 3
Complete the Initial Accreditation Self Study Report (ISSR) found here.

Step 4
Submit the completed Initial Accreditation Self Study Report (ISSR) and appropriate fees.
 
Submission of a completed ISSR by January 1, 2011, will make the program director eligible for the extended period of time to complete a Bachelors degree. More information is available here. For additional information or assistance, contact Bill Goding at [email protected] or 817.330.0080, x113.
 
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Jennifer Anderson Warwick, MA
[email protected]
CoAEMSP