Masthead
December 15, 2010
News from the CoAEMSP
A COMMITTEE ON ACCREDITATION OF CAAHEP

In This Issue
DISPELLING THE MYTHS
2011 ACCREDITATION WORKSHOPS ANNOUNCED
HAPPY HOLIDAY WISHES
SEND YOUR ISSR WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION!
COAEMSP OFFICE TO BE CLOSED DEC 20 TO JAN 2
101 PROGRAMS REQUEST ACCREDITATION
16 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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Dispelling the Myths


MYTH: The program director must currently have a bachelor's degree to become accredited.

TRUTH: Truth; HOWEVER, since 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.

 

Currently 65% of program directors have a Bachelor's degree or higher and 33% have some college or an Associate degree.

 

MYTH: Medical directors must teach many hours in the Program.

TRUTH: The medical director provides medical oversight, must attest to graduate competency in all domains, and must have a relationship with students. The medical director does not necessarily have to lecture or conduct lab sessions.


Plan Now to Attend a 2011 Accreditation Workshop!

It's not too early to set aside time to attend a CoAEMSP 2011 accreditation workshop. Make plans now to attend one of these valuable sessions before your calendar fills up! You will appreciate the personal attention and assistance that participants receive. Stay tuned for specific registration information. 

Feb 2-3,  San Antonio, TX--REGISTER NOW!
June 3-4, Pittsburgh, PA
September NAEMSE Conference, Reno, NV
Nov 14-15, Atlanta, GA


doveHappy Holidays
From All of Us

The Executive Office staff at the CoAEMSP extends sincere wishes to all of you for a joyous and memorable holiday season.


George Hatch, Executive Director

Karen Franks, Assistant to the Executive Director
Jennifer Anderson Warwick, Site Visit Coordinator
Bill Goding, Annual Report Technical Consultant
Lynn Caruthers, Accreditation Services Assistant


Be Safe! Send your ISSR with Delivery Confirmation!

After all the hard work you've done completing your ISSR,  you want to make sure it actually reaches our hands.  Avoid the possibility of missing the deadline by requesting Delivery Confirmation when mailing your ISSR. We know you'll rest easier by doing so--and we will too.

Don't Forget! CoAEMSP Office Will be Closed December 20 through January 2

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 by the December 31 deadline for the time extension being offered to program directors needing to obtain a bachelors degree for accreditation.

5 Programs Submit ISSRs Since November
Be Sure You Know the Difference Between the ISSR and RAS!

5 programs submitted their written Initial Self Study Report (ISSR) as one of the first steps in the process to gain accreditation.  While the very first step to accreditation is the Request for Accreditation Services (RAS) as illustrated in the graph in the following article,  the RAS MUST be followed up by the ISSR (and fees) in order to serve as an official request.

In addition, the ISSR is the document that qualifies programs for the time extension for obtaining a bachelors degree for accreditation; the RAS does not! Questions may be directed to Bill Goding: [email protected] or 817.330.0080, x 113.

16 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