| (1) It shall be the responsibility of the certified
or licensed EMS personnel to select and participate in continuing
education activities that meet the criteria listed in subsection (h)
and (i) of this section.
(2) The certified or licensed EMS personnel shall be
responsible for maintaining written certifications of successful completions
of EMS continuing education courses or educational activities for
five years after the dates of completion. These records shall document
successful completion, specifying the name of the EMS continuing education
provider, the title, description, date, and location of the educational
activity, a description of the content area, the number of contact
hours awarded, and the organization granting approval. Complete and
accurate copies of these shall be timely submitted to the department
upon the department's request.
(3) Complete and accurate copies of this written documentation
shall be timely submitted to the department upon the department's
request.
(k) Audit.
(1) The department may audit the records of individuals
seeking recertification through continuing education.
(2) The department may audit specific certified or
licensed EMS personnel in response to a complaint, or if there is
reason to suspect that the certified or licensed EMS personnel may
have given false or inaccurate information about the continuing education
requirements completed.
(3) An audit shall be automatic for certified or licensed
EMS personnel who have been found non-compliant in an immediately
preceding audit.
(4) Failure to notify the department of a current mailing
address shall not absolve the certificant from audit requirements.
(5) Within 30 days following notification of audit,
certified or licensed EMS personnel shall submit documentation as
specified in subsection (j)(2) of this section and any additional
documentation the department determines is necessary to verify compliance
with continuing education requirements.
(6) The department may use on-site observation, audits
of records, and other appropriate methods to evaluate the performance
of continuing education providers. Evaluation of a continuing education
provider may take place randomly, in response to a complaint, or if
there is reason to suspect that a continuing education provider is
not complying with the criteria established by subsections (h) and
(i) of this section.
(7) Falsification of CE documentation or official evidence
of completion of CE shall be cause for reprimand, probation, suspension,
or revocation of a certificate or license as described in §157.36
of this title (relating to Criteria for Denial and Disciplinary Actions
for EMS Personnel and Voluntary Surrender of a Certificate or License).
(8) Falsification of CE documentation or official evidence
of completion by a CE provider or failure to comply with the criteria
established by subsections (h) and (i) of this section shall be cause
for reprimand, probated suspension, suspension, or revocation of approval.
(l) For all applications and renewal applications,
the department is authorized to collect subscription and convenience
fees, in amounts determined by the Texas Online Authority, to recover
costs associated with application and renewal application processing
through Texas Online.
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §157.38 adopted to be effective September 1, 2002, 27 TexReg 7810; amended to be effective June 1, 2004, 29 TexReg 4492; amended to be effective August 17, 2008, 33 TexReg 6395; amended to be effective February 12, 2017, 42 TexReg 430 |
