Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
TRAUMA/EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Chapter 246-976 - Emergency medical services and trauma care systems
TRAINING
Section 246-976-022 - EMS training program requirements, approval, reapproval, discipline

REQUIREMENTS

Organization type

Must be one of the following:

A local EMS and trauma care council or a county office responsible for EMS training for the county. This includes county agencies established by ordinance and approved by the MPD to coordinate and conduct EMS programs;

A regional EMS and trauma care council providing EMS training throughout the region;

An accredited institution of higher education; or

A private educational business, licensed as a private vocational school.

Optional organization

If the organizations listed above do not exist or are unable to provide an EMS training program, the local EMS and trauma care council may recommend to the department another entity that is able to provide training.

In the absence of a local EMS council, the regional EMS and trauma care council may provide such recommendation.

Initial training courses conducted for licensed EMS agencies under the oversight of a department-approved EMS training program.

Need for new training program

Applicant must demonstrate need for new or additional EMS training programs.

Training program application

Complete a DOH EMS training program application on forms provided by the department indicating the levels of EMS training the program wants to conduct.

Class room and laboratory

Provide a description of classroom and laboratory facilities.

Training equipment and supplies

Provide a list of equipment and supplies on hand (or accessible) for use in the training program.

Course enrollment

For each level of EMS training applying for, provide a description of:

Course entry prerequisites;

Selection criteria; and

The process used to screen applicants.

Student handbook

Provide a student handbook for each level of EMS training applied for that provides:

Training program policies, including minimum standards to enter training consistent with this chapter;

Course requirements and minimum standards required for successful completion of examinations, clinical/field internship rotations, and the EMS course;

Initial certification requirements the student must meet to become certified as identified in WAC 246-976-141; and

A listing of clinical and field internship sites available.

REQUIREMENTS

General

An approved training program must:

Conduct courses following department requirements;

If conducting paramedic training courses, be accredited by a national accrediting organization approved by the department;

In conjunction with the course instructor, ensure course applicants meet the course application requirements in WAC 246-976-041;

Maintain clinical and field internship sites to meet course requirements, including the requirement that internship rotations on EMS vehicles must be performed as a third person, not replacing required staff on the vehicle;

For the purposes of program and course evaluation, provide to the department, county MPD, or MPD delegate access to all course related materials;

Conduct examinations over course lessons and other Washington state required topics; and

Participate in EMS and trauma care council educational planning.

Certification examination

Coordinate activities with the department-approved certification examination provider, including:

Registering the training program;

Assisting students in registering with the examination provider;

Providing verification of cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills for students successfully completing the EMS course; and

Assisting students in scheduling the examination.

Student records

Maintain student records for a minimum of four years.

Evaluation

Monitor and evaluate the quality of instruction for the purposes of quality improvement, including course examination scores for each level taught.

Reporting

Submit an annual report to the department which includes:

Annual, overall certification examination results;

A summary of complaints against the training program and what was done to resolve the issues;

Quality improvement activities including a summary of issues and actions to improve training results.

REAPPROVAL

Requirements

An EMS training program must be in good standing with the department and:

Have no violations of the statute and rules;

Have no pending disciplinary actions;

Maintain an overall pass rate of seventy-five percent on department-approved state certification examinations;

If conducting paramedic training courses, be accredited by a national accrediting organization approved by the department.

Reapplication

Complete:

The requirements in Tables A and B of this section; and

Submit an updated EMS training program application to the department at least six months prior to the program expiration date.