| (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.
(8) If a program’s national accreditation lapses
or is withdrawn, the program shall meet all requirements of this subsection
or subsection (g) or (h) of this section within a reasonable period
of time as determined by the department.
(o) Denial of program approval. A program may be denied
approval, provisional approval, or re-approval for, but not limited
to, the following reasons:
(1) failure to meet the requirements established in
subsection (g), (h) or (m) of this section;
(2) failure, or previous failure, to meet program responsibilities
as defined in subsection (p) of the this section;
(3) conduct, or previous conduct, that is grounds for
suspension or revocation of program approval as defined in subsection
(u) of this section;
(4) falsifying any information, record, or document
required for program approval, provisional approval, or re-approval;
(5) misrepresenting any requirements for program approval,
provisional approval, or re-approval;
(6) failing or refusing to submit a self-study or a
required report of progress toward remediation of a documented program
weakness or areas of non-compliance within a reasonable period of
time as determined by the department;
(7) failing or refusing to accept an on-site program
review by a reasonably scheduled date as determined by the department;
(8) issuing a check to the department which is returned
unpaid;
(9) being charged with criminal activity while approved
to provide EMS training;
(10) having disciplinary action imposed by the department
on the provider license, personnel certification or licensure, or
program for violation of any provision of Health and Safety Code,
Chapter 773 or 25 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 157; or
(11) failure of a paramedic program to become accredited
or maintain their accreditation by CAAHEP/CoAEMSP or another national
accrediting organization recognized by the department.
(p) Responsibilities. A program shall be responsible
to:
(1) plan for and evaluate the overall operation of
the program;
(2) provide supervision and oversight of all courses
for which the program is responsible;
(3) act as liaison between students, the sponsoring
organization and the department;
(4) submit course notifications and approval applications,
along with nonrefundable fees if applicable, to the department;
(5) assure availability of classroom(s) and other facilities
necessary to provide for instruction and convenience of the students
enrolled in courses for which the program is responsible;
(6) screen student applications, verify prerequisite
certification if applicable and select students;
(7) schedule classes and assign course coordinators
and/or instructors;
(8) verify the certification, license, or other proper
credentials of all personnel who instruct in the program’s courses;
(9) maintain an adequate inventory of training equipment,
supplies and audio- visual resources based on the National EMS Education
Standards, and course medical director;
(10) assure that training equipment and supplies are
available and operational for each laboratory session;
(11) secure and maintain affiliations with clinical,
and field internship facilities necessary to meet the instructional
objectives of all courses for which the program is responsible;
(12) develop field internship and clinical objectives
for all courses for which the program is responsible;
(13) train and evaluate internship preceptors;
(14) obtain written acknowledgement from the field
internship EMS provider medical director, if students will be conducting
advanced-level skills as part of their field internship with that
EMS provider;
(15) maintain all course records for a minimum of 5
years;
(16) along with the course coordinator develop and
use valid and reliable written examinations, skills proficiency verifications,
and other student evaluations;
(17) along with the course coordinator and medical
director, supervise and evaluate the effectiveness of personnel who
instruct in the program’s courses;
(18) along with the course coordinator and medical
director, supervise and evaluate the effectiveness of the clinical
and EMS field internship training;
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