Introduction to New Mexico EMS Licensing

2. Overview Regulatory Agency EMS Bureau Licensing Section Certification vs. Licensure NM Diversity Emergency Medical Services Medical Direction EMS Personnel EMT Training & Testing Initial Licensure Renewal Continuing Education Disciplinary Processes

3. Regulation Ensure that the public is protected from incompetent and unethical practitioners Offer assurances that the practitioner is competent to provide services in a safe and effective manner Provide a means by which individuals who fail to comply with the Professions Standards can be disciplined

4. EMS Licensing Section EMS Bureau is the Regulatory Agency 6 FTE Licensure of EMS Personnel Certification of Services (Air & Medical Rescue) Technical Assistance Training Coordination EMS Regional Offices as extensions

5. Certification A statement or declaration that one has completed a course of study, passed an examination, or otherwise met specific criteria. Certification may be used to control entry into a profession if combined with state laws. The purpose is to mainly set standards, educate practitioners and inform the public.

6. Licensure A license is a permission to do something that would otherwise be forbidden. Issued by the government and is a government privilege. The purpose is to restrict entry and control a profession or activity. Public Safety #1.

7. Unique Demographics and Geography NM is Mostly Rural, Frontier and Wilderness Areas Several Medium Sized Cities With 50,000+ Pop. Only Two Cities With More Than One Hospital (Albuquerque/Las Cruces) Many Hospitals With Limited Surgical and Admit Capacities

8. EMS Regions

9. What is Emergency Medical Service? �Emergency� means an individual�s need for immediate medical care to prevent loss of life or aggravation of physical or psychological illness or injury. Emergency medical service (EMS) means the services rendered by licensed providers in response to an emergency.

10. Physician Medical Direction EMS is 100% Physician Supervised Medical Direction and Protocols are required for All Advanced Skills, Medications and Procedures. The EMS medical director may restrict or withhold the EMS scopes of practice. Physician Involvement in Training, Operations and Quality Assurance are key.

11. EMS Personnel Levels of EMS Provider: Emergency Medical Dispatcher EMS First Responder EMT-Basic EMT-Intermediate EMT-Paramedic All Levels Require Licensure with State

12. 2008 EMS Bureau Licensing Numbers Dispatch & Dispatch Instructors � 465 (5.7%) EMS First Responders - 970 (11.9%) Basics � 3889 (47.7%) Intermediates � 1592 (19.5%) Paramedics � 1233 (15.1%) Total Licenses - 8150

14. EMS Education NM Has Five EMS Training Institutions All Are Post-Secondary Educational Institution Based EMS Academy at the University of NM Dona Ana Branch Community College Eastern NM University � Roswell Central Community College of NM Santa Fe Community College Each is Nationally Accredited

15. Hours of Training Emergency Medical Dispatcher (24 hours) EMS First Responder (48 hours) EMT � Basic (120 hours) EMT � Intermediate (350 hours, incl. internship) EMT � Paramedic (1200 hours, incl. internship)

16. Testing for Competency State Test Sites � BLS & ILS EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediates Written & Practical Skills Approximately 13 test sites per year Staffing from EMS Bureau, Regional Offices, Skill Evaluators, Moulage Artists and Practice Patients Locations in Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Clovis 62% Average Pass Rate

17. New Mexico is a NREMT State at the Paramedic level only. NREMT-P exam as the NM Paramedic licensure exam. Computer Adaptive Testing � Pearson Vue Locations: Albuquerque, Farmington, Roswell, Silver City, Lubbock, El Paso 76% NM Average Pass Rate 62% National Average Pass Rate

18. National Registry of EMTs - NREMT Contributes to development of Professional Standards Verifies competency by preparing and conducting examinations (CAT) Vehicle for simplifying reciprocity Spreads the costs of exam development & validation across a large user base

19. Licensure Renewals Refresher Courses Continuing Education CPR / ACLS (Paramedic) NM EMT license granted for 27 months Licenses are split on even or odd year

20. Continuing Education Core levels of knowledge Fundamental technical & professional skills Expansion of skills & knowledge Understanding advances in the profession

21. CE Categories (NHTSA Blueprint) Preparatory Airway / Ventilation Patient Assessment Medical Emergencies Trauma Emergencies Special Considerations Operations Course content should be directed toward the student�s level of licensure

22. Disciplinary Action Health, safety and welfare of NM citizens DOH Office of General Counsel Partners: Public Regulation Commission, Board of Pharmacy, Nursing Board and Medical Board Investigations with an action 2005: 13 2006: 7 2007: 9 2008: 2 through February

23. Investigations Rules on EMS Licensure Uniform Licensing Act Preliminary & Formal Presented to the EMS Licensing Commission

24. EMS Licensing Commission Created by the EMS Act Approve or deny candidates with Criminal History (DWI/DUI, Misdemeanor, Felony) Approve or deny waivers to EMS Rules 7 members 3 physicians 3 EMT representatives from each level 1 member from the General Public

25. Impaired Practitioner Program A confidential alternative to immediate disciplinary action An EMT who habitually or regularly uses alcohol and/or drugs presents a potential danger to patients Assists EMS personnel to get the necessary treatment needed To keep recovering EMS personnel productive

26. Parental Responsibility Act Non-payment of child support Administered through NM Human Services Matching with licensing database Suspensions or Denial of Licensure

27. How to Contact Me Charles Schroeder EMS Licensing Manager EMS Bureau 1301 Siler Rd.; Bldg F Santa Fe, NM 87507 (505)476-8246 charles.schroeder@state.nm.us www.nmems.org

28. Questions?