| (xvi) a description of any and all requirements for
a student to complete a course.
(j) Provisional approval. If following the department’s
review of the self-study, the applicant is found to be in substantial
compliance with established national EMS education standards, the
department shall issue a provisional approval.
(k) 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, 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.
(l) On-site review. After the completion of a provisionally-approved
program’s first course, an on-site review shall be conducted.
The on-site review process is the department inspector’s review
of a proposed and/or existing program’s records plan, self-study,
equipment, facilities and clinical and field internship facilities,
and student-to-patient contact ratios.
(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 four years
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 four years.
(m) 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
(d) 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;
(G) the probable adverse consequences to the public
health or safety if the exception is not approved; and
(H) the written support by the program medical director.
(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 before being granted approval by
the department.
(n) National accreditation for paramedic education/training
programs.
(1) In addition to the requirements listed in subsection
(h) of this section, all EMS education/training programs currently
conducting paramedic education and training must meet the following
requirements to receive approval as a paramedic education and training
program:
(A) provide proof of accreditation by the CAAHEP/CoAEMSP,
or a national accrediting organization recognized by the department;
or
(B) provide documentation from CAAHEP/CoAEMSP or a
national accrediting organization recognized by the department stating
the education program has submitted the appropriate documentation
that indicates it being in pursuit of accreditation as defined by
the CAAHEP/CoAEMSP or a national accrediting organization recognized
by the department. The education/training program that is deemed as
pursuing accreditation may be temporarily approved by the department.
In order to receive program approval, the education/training program
must be accredited and provide proof of their accreditation by the
national accrediting organization to the department.
(2) If the education/training program is not accredited
or has their accreditation revoked by the national accrediting organization
the program will not be allowed to conduct a paramedic education or
training course until the program becomes accredited or the program
is recognized by the national accrediting organization as being in
pursuit of accreditation.
(3) Initial or current education programs that are
not accredited and would like to offer paramedic education and training
on or after January 1, 2013 must:
(A) be approved by the department as an EMS basic education
program, according to subsection (g) of this section;
(B) submit the appropriate application and fees to
the department;
(C) meet the accreditation standards set by CAAHEP/CoAEMSP
or another department approved national accrediting organization in
order for the department to issue the applicant a temporary approval
to conduct paramedic education or training courses; and
(D) provide proof of accreditation by CAAHEP/CoAEMSP
or another national accrediting organization recognized by the department.
If the training program does not become accredited the program will
not be allowed to conduct another paramedic education or training
course until the program becomes accredited or the department receives
notification from the accrediting organization that the program is
recognized as being in pursuit of accreditation as defined by the
accrediting organization.
(4) If a program has been accredited by CAAHEP/CoAEMSP
or a national accrediting organization recognized by the department,
the department may exempt the program from the program approval or
re-approval process.
(5) Programs accredited by CAAHEP/CoAEMSP or another
national accrediting organization recognized by the department shall
provide the department with copies of:
(A) the accreditation self study;
(B) the accreditation letter or certificate; and
(C) any correspondence or updates to or from the national
accrediting organization that impact the program’s status.
(6) On request of the department, programs shall permit
the department’s representatives to participate in site visits
performed by national accrediting organizations.
(7) If the department takes disciplinary action against
a nationally accredited program for violations that could indicate
substantial noncompliance with a national accrediting organization’s
essentials or standards, the department shall advise the national
accrediting organization of the action and the evidence on which the
action was based.
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