Atlantic Partners
EMS, Inc
BLS Licensure Education
Student Handbook
Introduction:
Welcome to the Atlantic Partners EMS, Inc. (APEMS) BLS Licensure program. This handbook is designed to serve as a guide for students as they progress through the program. The material that follows will familiarize participants with educational guidelines, policies and expectations for this course. This handbook should be used in conjunction with all other course materials provided by the instructor as well as the Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) or Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) Student Handbook.
Please read this handbook carefully; it outlines the policies that will govern this EMS education program. It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the contents and understand the commitment and expectations implicit in participating in this course.
Atlantic Partners EMS:
EMS Licensure programs offered in this region are a collaborative effort between APEMS, Kennebec Valley Community College and/or Eastern Maine Community College.
APEMS is a consortium of ambulance and rescue services, hospitals, and associated businesses founded in 2011, to improve the quality and enhance the coordination of pre-hospital emergency medical services throughout the Maine EMS designated Regions 3, 4 and 6. APEMS is a non-profit organization that provides education and training, quality improvement, and technical assistance resources to its members.
APEMS is committed to serve in a leadership role for the enhancement of a comprehensive EMS system through accountability, quality improvement, collaboration and cooperation among providers and the development and provision of support services.
OVERVIEW: The Maine EMS System
Maine EMS is the Bureau within the State’s Department of Public Safety that is responsible for the facilitation, coordination, integration and regulation of all state activities concerning emergency medical services.
Maine EMS Board
The Maine Legislature established the Board of EMS in law and the Board is responsible for the emergency medical services program. The Board promulgates the EMS Rules that detail the licensing requirements for EMS services and individual EMS providers.
The members of the Board of EMS are appointed by the Governor and serve three-year terms. The Board typically meets monthly on the first Wednesday in the Maine EMS Conference Room. All meetings are open to the public, with the exception of those portions that may be conducted in executive session in accordance with Maine Law.
The Board has empowered the EMS staff working in the Maine EMS office with carrying out the day-to-day functions of the system.
The Board also contracts with six regional councils to coordinate education, testing, and quality improvement on a local level. These regional offices are each independent, non-profit (501 (c)(3)) organizations that receive partial funding from Maine EMS, but must also rely on fees and subsidies from EMS services and hospitals within their area.
Medical Directions and Practice Board (MDPB)
The MDPB consists of the state EMS medical director, the six regional medical directors, and a representative of the Maine Chapter of the American College of Emergency Medicine (ACEP). This group is generally responsible for statewide pre-hospital treatment protocol development and making recommendations to the Board of Maine EMS on the scope of practice for pre-hospital providers. The MDPB typically meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month in the Maine EMS Conference Room. All meetings are open to the public.
Maine EMS Staff
The Maine EMS Office is located at 500 Civic Center Drive, Augusta, ME 04330.
Their mailing address is MEMS 152 State House Station Augusta ME 04333-0152
Maine EMS maintains a web site at: www.state.me.us/dps/ems
Phone: (207) 626-3860 Fax: (207) 287-6251
Office hours are Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
· Director: Jay Bradshaw, EMT-P
· EMD Coordinator Drexell White, EMT-P
· Training Coordinator: Kerry Sousa-Pomelow, EMT-P
· Licensing Agents: Dawn Kinney, EMT-P and Allan Leo, EMT
· Data & Preparedness Jonathan Powers, EMT
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Regional EMS Offices:
Region 1: York, Cumberland, and Sagadahoc Counties
Southern Maine EMS
496 Ocean Street
So. Portland, ME 04106
PHONE: (207) 741-2790
FAX: (207) 741-2158
e-mail:
Marlene Cormier, MD, Medical Director
Region 2: Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties
Tri County EMS
300 Main St.
Lewiston, ME 04240
PHONE: (207) 795-2880
FAX: (207) 795-2883
e-mail:
Joanne LeBrun, Regional Coordinator
Rebecca Chagrasulis, MD, Medical Director
Region 3: Kennebec, Somerset and western Waldo Counties
Kennebec Valley EMS
71 Halifax St.
Winslow, ME 04901
PHONE: (207) 877-0936
FAX: (207) 872-2753
Web Site: www.kvems.org
e-mail:
Rick Petrie, EMT-P, Regional Coordinator
Tim Pieh, MD, Medical Director
Region 4: Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Washington Counties
Northeast EMS
354 Hogan Road
Bangor, ME 04401
PHONE: (207) 942-4669
FAX: (207)
e-mail:
Rick Petrie, Regional Coordinator
Jonathan Busko, MD, Medical Director
Region 5: Aroostook County
Aroostook EMS
22A Birdseye Ave.
Caribou, ME 04736
PHONE: (207) 769-7561
FAX: (207) 764-9430
e-mail:
Steve Corbin, Regional Coordinator
Peter Goth, MD, Medical Director
Region 6: Lincoln, Eastern Waldo, and Knox Counties
Mid Coast EMS
P O Box 610
Union, ME 04862
PHONE: (207) 785-5000
FAX: (207) 785-5002
e-mail:
Rick Petrie, EMT-P, Regional Coordinator
J. Whitney Randolph, MD, Medical Director
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Immunization Requirements
All students, born after 12/31/56 will be required to furnish proof of adequate immunizations for Diptheria, Tetanus (adult type), Rubella (German Measles), Measles and Mumps, PPD – Tuberculosis (within 6 months), Varicella Titer, Hepatitus “B” Series and/or Titer. Students must submit immunization records prior to the start of the clinical portion of their program.
Pre-Testing
Comprehension pre-testing is may be required for licensure level courses. It is recommended that students be able to read at an equivalent of the 10th grade level in order to continue in the program. Students will be notified if their program requires pre-testing at registration to the program.
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Curriculum
This licensure course is conducted in accordance with the requirements set forth in the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) Education Standards and Maine EMS curriculum.
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Course Text Books
The textbook for your program was selected by the Instructor in consultation with APEMS Staff and is believed to be the best available for your course of study. The books need to be purchased at the bookstore during the first week of class.
Please also note that an accompanying workbook is available, and it is strongly recommended that students utilize the workbook and note that some instructors may make it mandatory.
Attendance Policy
Your Instructor, by way of the course syllabi, will advise you as to their attendance policy. Please be sure to discuss any issues with your Instructor regarding his/her policy.
Clinical rotations are critical to the success and development of the student. Clinical sites are offered to us at the discretion of the company or institution. Students must strive to always be at the clinical site on time and ready to participate. If the student must be late/absent, the student should contact the clinical coordinator ASAP. Students who are late for clinical one time will be placed on probation, and a second tardiness will result in the student being dropped from the class.
Grading Policy
Instructors will set the test, quiz, and report requirements for each program. Overall, students must achieve a minimum final average grade of 75% in Emergency Responder and EMT classes, and 80% in Advanced Life Support (ALS) classes, as well as successfully completing all clinical requirements in order to pass the program. In order to participate in clinical rotations, students must have achieved and maintain a 70% (BLS) 80% (ALS) average on the didactic section of the program.
General Student Protocol
You have made a decision to participate in a class that, once completed, will place you in a position to interact with physicians, nurses, allied health providers, and the general public. We expect you to conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times. The following guidelines are provided for student reference and use in the classroom, clinical and pre-hospital setting.
Dress:
Students will at all times, maintain a critical awareness of personal hygiene and dress in a neat and clean manner.
Identification will be worn outside of the classroom setting unless the clinical / service policy dictates otherwise.
Conduct:
Students are not EMT’s or Paramedics and should not represent themselves as such. They may refer to themselves as EMT students (as appropriate).
Students will be treated professionally by individuals associated with the program. Students will extend similar and appropriate courtesy to program staff / volunteers / associates.
Co-instructors/Assistants/Test Team Staff
Co-instructors, guest speakers, instructor assistants and test team staff bring additional experiences to the classroom, which enhance the learning experience. These people deserve the same courtesy and respect as is due the Instructor-Coordinator for the program. Any disobedience, disrespect or other inappropriate or non-compliant behavior will be considered a violation of the General Student Protocol and may be grounds for disciplinary action or dismissal.
Academic Honesty Policy
APEMS/KVCC/EMCC expect students to maintain a high level of integrity during their time as a student and also in the field when providing patient services. In order to achieve this goal, students who participate in any educational offering must adhere to the Academic Dishonesty Policy that can be found in the KVCC/MECC Student Handbooks.
Licensure Program Clinical Requirements
In addition to the didactic hours, the program must also have a clinical component that requires patient interaction. These clinical requirements will be fulfilled as students employ skills in hospitals, EMS services, clinics or physician offices. Clinical assignments will be arranged by the program instructor in conjunction with the APEMS Clinical Coordinator. All scheduled clinical experience must be with an agency under contract with KVCC/EMCC and have identified preceptors who meet the requirements as published by Maine Emergency Medical Services.
Each student must successfully complete the clinical behavioral objectives as identified by Maine EMS as well as any other objectives imposed by APEMS that are in accordance with the National Standard Curriculum. Performance objectives will be clearly established and explained to the students, preceptors, and hospital/EMS staff that will interact with the students.
Students will be oriented to this clinical process by either the Clinical Coordinator for their program or a representative of the service or facility where the student will be carrying out the clinical component.
The student should record clinical information on the forms provided by their Instructor. These reports will be reviewed by the Instructor and/or APEMS Clinical Coordinator to assure competent documentation. Patient confidentiality must be maintained completely during the process. Professional behavior is required of students in the classroom and clinical settings.
Certification:
At the completion of the program and the successful completion of your course finals, students will receive a certificate of successful completion from KVCC/EMCC only:
1. If all course costs are paid.
2. If the students has successfully completed the program and final exams, as judged by the instructor.
3. If all clinical records have been received.
Certification will be issued to students shortly following program completion.
Licensure:
What are the qualifications for licensure in Maine?
To obtain and maintain a new or renewed Maine EMS license, an applicant must:
1. Be at least 18 years of age. (Parental consent is necessary if the applicant is under 18 years of age. No application for licensure by a person less than 18 years of age will be approved unless the service sponsoring that person maintains on file at Maine EMS a plan for supervision of such persons which has been approved by Maine EMS.)
2. Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
3. Be physically capable of performing the practices included in the license level applied for, as described by the approved Maine EMS functional position description and as indicated by the ability to pass the appropriate state practical examination.
National Registry Information
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians is a not-for-profit, independent, non-governmental agency that was established in June of 1970 in response to a recommendation from President Lyndon B. Johnson's Committee on Highway Safety that a national certification agency be established for EMS. As a registration agency that issues certificates of competency, the National Registry provides a mechanism that helps to assure the protection of the public. NREMT verifies achievement of minimum competencies of EMT’s through the establishment and implementation of uniform training requirements for EMT training, examination and continuing education.
Emergency Responder and EMT students will be required to take the National Registry Computer Adaptive Testing Process. This examination is based on minimum competencies established in 2005 by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Candidates will be tested on Competency Based Criteria to prove successful understanding of their Licensure Level. Candidates are allowed three opportunities to pass the written examination.
All students are required to successfully complete a Maine EMS Practical Exam (PSE) as well in order to complete the licensure testing.
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When and where are written and practical examinations held?
Your course instructor will work with APEMS to set-up a PSE at or near the completion of your program. The APEMS staff will assist your instructor regarding the arrangements for the PSE and the coordination with Maine EMS for an Exam Evaluator to be present at your exam.
APEMS will work with your instructor to ensure that your NREMT Computer Adaptive Testing is scheduled and that students have met all the requirements to be eligible to sit for the exam.
How do I obtain my license when the training course and examinations are complete?
Upon applying for licensure applicants must provide:
1. A completed Maine EMS application signed by the applicant.
2. A complete history of criminal convictions.
Helpful Note Regarding Criminal Convictions:
The Maine EMS license application requests any and all information regarding criminal convictions of a prospective EMS provider. Certain criminal convictions may prevent applicants from becoming licensed in Maine.
All records of convictions are screened on an individual basis. If participants have had criminal convictions in the past contact with Maine EMS should be made as soon as possible to discuss the situation before applying for a Maine EMS license.
3. Submit a check or Money Order for $21.00 payable to Treasurer State of Maine to cover the cost of a State Bureau of Identification Back Ground Check.
4. Certification of training showing completion of a Board-approved initial course at the appropriate level within the past year. (Contact the APEMS office for information about certification that is more than one year old.)
5. NREMT Computer Adaptive and Practical Examination (PSE) certification within the past year. (Contact the APEMS office for information about testing certification that is more than one year old.)
Maine EMS Technical Standards for EMS Providers