B. The Department may take enforcement
action, including suspending or revoking a certification and/or assessing a
monetary penalty, against the holder of a Certificate at any time it is
determined that the certification holder:
1.
No longer meets the prescribed qualifications set forth by the
Department;
2. Has failed to
provide to Patients emergency medical treatment of a quality deemed acceptable
by the Department, including failure to meet generally accepted standards for
provision of care; or
3. Is guilty
of Misconduct. Misconduct, constituting grounds for an enforcement action by
the Department, means that while holding a Certificate, the holder:
a. Used a false, fraudulent, or forged
statement or document or practiced a fraudulent, deceitful, or dishonest act in
connection with the certification requirements or official documents required
by the Department;
b. Was convicted
of or currently under indictment for a felony or another crime involving Moral
Turpitude, drugs, or gross immorality. The Certificate holder shall report in
writing any arrest to the Department as soon as possible but not to exceed five
(5) business days following the arrest or release from custody;
c. Is addicted to alcohol or drugs to such a
degree as to render him or her unfit to perform as an EMT-basic, AEMT, or
Paramedic;
d. Sustained a mental or
physical disability that renders further practice by him or her dangerous to
the public;
e. Obtained fees or
assisted another in obtaining fees under dishonorable, false, or fraudulent
circumstances;
f. Disregarded an
appropriate order by a physician concerning emergency treatment, including
protocol violations without appropriate justification;
g. At the scene of an accident or illness,
refused to administer emergency care based on the age, sex, race, religion,
creed, or national origin of the Patient;
h. After initiating care of a Patient at the
scene of an accident or illness, discontinued care or Abandoned the Patient
without the Patient's consent or without providing for the further
administration of care by an equal or higher medical authority;
i. Revealed confidences entrusted to him or
her in the course of medical attendance, unless this revelation was required by
law or is necessary to protect the welfare of the individual or the
community;
j. By action or omission
and without mitigating circumstance, contributed to or furthered the injury or
illness of a Patient under his or her care;
k. Was careless, reckless, or irresponsible
in the operation of an emergency vehicle;
l. Performed skills above the level for which
he or she was certified or endorsed or performed skills that he or she was not
trained to do;
m. Observed the
administration of substandard care by another EMT-basic, AEMT, Paramedic, or
other medical provider without documenting the event and notifying a
supervisor;
n. By his or her
actions or inactions, created a substantial possibility that death or serious
physical harm could result;
o. Did
not take or complete remedial training or other courses of action as directed
by the Department as a result of an investigation or inquiry;
p. Was found to be guilty of the
falsification of documentation as required by the Department;
q. Breached a section of the Emergency
Medical Services Act of South Carolina or a subsequent amendment of the Act or
any rules or regulations published pursuant to the Act;
r. Has acted to disrespect, demean, disparage
the Patient; has used profane, vulgar, or obscene language to or directed at
the Patient; or has derogated from standard professional conduct; or
s. Was found guilty of a violent crime as
defined in S.C. Code Section
16-1-60.