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Dispelling the Myths
MYTH: The Paramedic Program must have a full time secretary or clerical person.
TRUTH: While a full-time clerical position might be ideal, the comparable amount of support can be provided by a combination of resources, such as part-time positions, clerical sharing, work study students. However, the sufficiency of the clerical support is objectively determined by the data collected for resource assessment.
The objective measurement is reflected by the adequacy of program activities such as: timely filing of documents, phone coverage, organized records, up to date files, adequate correspondence turnaround time, regardless of the means by which the program accomplishes those tasks.
MYTH: The Program must have an advisory board that meets at least twice a year.
TRUTH: The Advisory Committee must meet at least once a year and review the goals, outcomes for the classes in the last year and make recommendations to the Program.
The Advisory Committee meetings should also include review of achievement of goals, analysis of the goals, action plan, and results of action where appropriate.
There must be an Advisory Committee roster indicating the communities of interest that the members represent.
The Advisory Committee meetings must have Minutes reflecting the attendees, and meaningful discussion and actions during the meeting.
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2011 Accreditation Workshops Announced
The CoAEMSP is pleased to announce 2011 accreditation workshop dates and locations. Make plans now to attend one of these valuable sessions. Stay tuned for specific registration information.
Feb 1-2, San Antonio, TX
June 3-4, Pittsburgh, PA
September NAEMSE Conference, Reno, NV
Nov 14-15, Atlanta, GA
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Be Sure You Have Followed the Application Process Correctly!
Confusion exists about what is considered an official application for accreditation. To clarify, a program has successfully applied for accreditation only after CoAEMSP has received its ISSR and fees. Submission of only the Request for Accreditation Services (RAS) does not constitute an application.
If you are a program director without a bachelor's degree and plan to submit your program's application before January 1, 2011, please read on to find out the difference between a RAS and ISSR.
Request for Accreditation Services (RAS) -- Programs request accreditation services by filing the CAAHEP Request for Accreditation Services. This form is completed by the institution and signed by the CEO or designated representative who has fiduciary authority. This form authorizes CAAHEP and CoAEMSP to work with the Program and to provide accreditation services in accordance with the CAAHEP Standards, policies, and procedures of CAAHEP and CoAEMSP.
The RAS is completed online, then submitted electronically (preferred) or mailed or faxed to CoAEMSP. This request to begin providing accreditation services is the first step to take for filing an application, but is NOT the application itself.
Initial-Accreditation Self Study Report (ISSR) -- Programs demonstrate the degree to which they meet the CAAHEP Standards through a two-part comprehensive evaluation that includes a written ISSR and an on-site review. Upon completion of the comprehensive evaluation, the CoAEMSP formulates a status of public recognition recommendation that is forwarded to CAAHEP, which awards the accreditation for Paramedic programs that meet the Standards.
A program has successfully applied for accreditation once the ISSR and the appropriate fees have been submitted to the CoAEMSP.
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CoAEMSP Office to be Closed the Last Two Weeks in December!
The CoAEMSP offices will close for the holidays on Monday, December 20 and reopen Monday, January 3, 2011. This will not affect submission of your ISSR, however, as long as you request Delivery Confirmation when mailing it. This will confirm that your package has arrived before the December 31 deadline for the time extension being offered to program directors needing to obtain a bachelors degree for accreditation.
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46 Days Left!
Time Extension Offered to
Program Directors Needing to Obtain a Bachelors Degree for Accreditation
 One 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 bill@coaemsp.org or 817.330.0080, x113.
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Share Your Feedback and Suggestions
Is there something you would like us to cover in a future eUpdate? Let us know!
Jennifer Anderson Warwick, MA
jennifer@coaemsp.org
CoAEMSP |
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