| (C) attest that each graduating student has achieved the desired level of competence prior to graduation; (6) have an advisory committee representing the program's communities of interest (individuals, groups of individuals, or institutions impacted by the program) designated and charged with assisting the program director and medical director in formulating appropriate goals and standards, monitoring needs and expectations and ensuring program responsiveness to change; (7) submit a completed application to the appropriate regional office; and (8) demonstrate substantial compliance with the EMS education standards by successfully completing the self study/on-site review process outlined in the manual. (h) Advanced approval requirements. To approve an advanced program, an applicant shall: (1) have successfully operated a basic program; (2) submit documentation of sponsorship by a regionally accredited post-secondary educational institution or a health care institution accredited by an organization recognized by the department, or any other entity meeting standards and criteria for sponsoring advanced EMS courses; (3) submit letters of intent from qualified providers of clinical and field internship experience appropriate to the level of training offered; (4) have at least one advanced course coordinator certified at or above the highest level of training to be offered by the program; (5) have a program director who contributes an adequate amount of time to assure the success of the program. In addition to other responsibilities, the program director shall be responsible for the development, organization, administration, periodic review and effectiveness of the program; and shall: (A) routinely review student performance to assure adequate progress toward completion of the program; and (B) review and supervise the quality of instruction provided by the program; and (C) document that each graduating student has achieved the desired level of competence prior to graduation; (6) have a medical director who shall be a licensed physician approved by the department with experience in and current knowledge of emergency care. The medical director shall be knowledgeable about educational programs for EMS personnel. In addition to other duties assigned by the program, the medical director shall: (A) review and approve the educational content of the program's curricula; (B) review and approve the quality of medical instruction provided by the program; and (C) attest that each graduating student has achieved the desired level of competence prior to graduation; (7) have an advisory committee representing the program's communities of interest (individuals, groups of individuals, or institutions impacted by the program) designated and charged with assisting the program director and medical director in formulating appropriate goals and standards, monitoring needs and expectations and ensuring program responsiveness to change; (8) submit a completed application to the appropriate regional office; and (9) demonstrate substantial compliance with the EMS education standards by successfully completing the self-study/on-site review process outlined in the manual. (i) Provisional approval. If following the department's review of the self-study, the applicant is found to be in substantial compliance with established EMS education standards outlined in the manual, the department shall issue a provisional approval. (j) Lack of substantial compliance. If following the department's review of the self-study, the applicant is not found in substantial compliance with EMS education standards outlined in the manual, the program director and sponsor shall receive a written report detailing: (1) any deficiencies; and (2) specific recommendations for improvement that will be necessary before provisional approval may be granted. (k) On-site review. After the completion of a provisionally-approved program's first course, an on-site review shall be conducted as outlined in the manual. (1) If the program is found to be in substantial compliance with established EMS education standards and all fees and expenses associated with the self-study and on-site review have been paid, the department shall approve the program for a period of years as set forth in the manual and issue an approval number. The program director and sponsor shall receive a written report of the site-review team's findings, including areas of exceptional strength, areas of weakness and recommendations for improvement. (2) If the program is not in substantial compliance with established EMS education standards, the program director and sponsor shall receive a written report detailing deficiencies and specific requirements for improvement. Depending on the nature and severity of the identified deficiencies within the program, the program may or may not be allowed to continue training activities. In all cases the department in consultation with program officials shall devise a remedial plan for the deficiencies. (3) Upon completion of a remedial plan a program shall be approved for a period of years as outlined by the manual. (l) Exception to sponsorship requirements for advanced programs. (1) If an urgent need for an advanced program or an EMS operator instructor program exists in an area and cannot be met by an entity that meets the sponsorship requirements defined in subsection (h)(2) of this section, a licensed EMS provider may request the department to grant an exception to allow the EMS provider to sponsor an advanced program. (2) Such request must be submitted in writing and must include the following: (A) documentation of the need for an advanced program and of the urgency of the situation; (B) documentation that the EMS provider has successfully operated a basic program; (C) documentation of attempts by the EMS provider to affiliate with an entity that meets the requirements of subsection (h)(2) of this section; (D) a letter from the EMS provider agreeing to assume all responsibilities of advanced program sponsorship; (E) letters of intent from qualified providers of clinical and field internship experience appropriate to the level of training to be offered; and (F) a letter of intent from a medical director who will agree to perform the responsibilities listed in subsection (h)(6) of this section. (3) In determining whether the request for an exception is to be approved or denied, the department shall consider, but not be limited to, the following issues: (A) the quality of the basic program previously operated by the EMS provider; (B) evidence that the EMS provider possesses the resources and dedication necessary to operate an advanced program that complies with the EMS education standards; (C) the efforts of the EMS provider to affiliate with an entity that meets the requirements of subsection (h)(2) of this section; (D) the availability of an approved advanced program within a reasonable distance of the affected area; (E) the availability of an approved advanced program that will provide training to the affected area by outreach or distance learning technology; (F) the probable impact on existing approved advanced programs if the exception is approved; and (G) the probable adverse consequences to the public health or safety if the exception is not approved. (4) After evaluation by the department, the EMS provider shall be notified in writing of the approval or denial of the request. (5) An exception to the requirements of subsection (h)(2) of this section shall meet all other requirements of subsection (h) of this section, including completion of the self-study and the on-site review process, and shall demonstrate substantial compliance with the EMS education standards as outlined in the manual before being granted approval by the department. (m) National accreditation. (1) If a program has been accredited through a national accrediting organization recognized by the department, the department may exempt the program from the program approval or re-approval process. If a program is denied, the program has an opportunity to request a hearing in accordance with §§1.21-1.34 of this title (relating to Formal Hearing Procedures). (2) Nationally accredited programs shall provide the department with copies of: (A) the accreditation self study; (B) the accreditation letter or certificate; and Cont'd... |
