In November, 2007, the National Registry of EMT’s Board of Directors voted to require applicants for national paramedic certification graduate from a nationally accredited educational program after December 31, 2012.

 

Currently, there are 30 EMT-P training facilities in Missouri.  Only one is accredited to date, IHM Health Studies Center in St. Louis.  Twelve EMT-P programs in Missouri are either located on the same campus or are under the same educational facility as other CAAHEP accredited programs. The Unit of EMS advises these EMT-P programs to utilize their colleagues on campus to help with the accreditation process.

The rigors of accreditation are challenging and focus on a program’s resources, curriculum and personnel including program director, medical director and faculty.  A student and graduate evaluation/assessment will be performed along with outcomes assessment and reporting.  Fair practices will also reviewed, including publications and disclosures, lawful and non-discriminatory practices, safeguards, student records, substantive change and agreements.

Besides the substantial demands of the accreditation process, there is also cost which includes the initial application fee of $1200 (due with the submission of CAAHEP application), the initial self -study evaluation fee of $500 (due with the submission of self-study), the initial application annual report CD fee of $250 (one-time fee and due with the submission of self-study) as well as the initial site visit fee actual expenses of the on-site visit.  The typical range of expenses is $1500 to $2500 for a two-day, two-person on-site visit.  In total, the initial phase of accreditation will cost each training facility about $4500.  There are similar costs for maintaining accreditation.  More in a moment.

As many EMS professionals are aware, the EMS Education community and the Bureau/Unit of EMS have been discussing this issue since 1998.

Program accreditation will be granted by The Committee on Accreditation for EMS Educational Programs (CoAEMSP) – the only national accrediting agency for EMT-Paramedic Programs.

The mission of the CoAEMSP, under the auspices of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP), is to continuously improve the quality of EMS education through accreditation and recognition services for the full range of EMS professions.

CAAHEP accredits programs upon the recommendation of the CoAEMSP. The accreditation standards are the minimum standards of quality used in accrediting programs that prepare individuals to enter the Emergency Medical Services Professions. The accreditation standards therefore constitute the minimum requirements to which an accredited program is held accountable.  CAAHEP describes these standards as the following: “To prepare competent entry-level Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains,” with or without exit points at the Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate, and/or Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, and/or First Responder levels.

CAAHEP is the accreditation expert while CoAEMSP is the profession's expert. In other words, CoAEMSP is a member of CAAHEP because it is a nationally recognized accrediting body for EMT-Paramedics. CAAHEP provides legal liability coverage to CoAEMSP and assures oversight and due process to all programs that participate in the CAAHEP system of accreditation.  As such, CAAHEP is responsible for handling all appeals that are a result of a CoAEMSP's recommendation and the CAAHEP Board of Directors’ subsequent action.

In the case of post-secondary education and training, there are two kinds of accreditation: institutional and programmatic (or specialized). Programmatic (or specialized) accreditation examines specific schools or programs within an educational institution and is specific to the EMT-Paramedic program.

Maintaining accreditation in the future will include a continuing evaluation fee of $500.  There are also annual fees for initial and continuing programs.  All programs, including inactive programs and programs in the application process as well as accredited programs are responsible for this fee of $1200.  Effective July 1, 2008, this annual fee will be due and payable each July 1st.  The site visit fee includes the typical range of expenses which are $1500 to $2500 for a two-day, two-person on-site visit.

Accreditation issues will be discussed on January 22, 2008 when the Education Subcommittee of the SAC on EMS will be meeting from 1-5pm after the SAC meeting at the Harry S. Truman Building, 301 West High Street, Room 493/494, Jefferson City, MO 65109.