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TITLE 25HEALTH SERVICES
PART 1DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
CHAPTER 157EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE
SUBCHAPTER DEMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION
RULE §157.44Emergency Medical Service Instructor Certification

(a) General.

  (1) A certified emergency medical service (EMS) instructor is an individual who has received training approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (department) to conduct the classroom or laboratory portion of an EMS training course.

  (2) An instructor must be currently certified at the emergency medical technician (EMT) level or higher and may not instruct knowledge or skills above the current level of personnel certification.

  (3) Instructor certification is dependent on the individual's EMS personnel certification and is subject to the same status as that personnel certification. If the department imposes disciplinary action in accordance with §157.16 of this title (relating to Emergency Suspension, Suspension, Probation, Revocation or Denial of a Provider License) or §157.36 of this title (relating to Criteria for Denial and Disciplinary Actions for EMS Personnel and Voluntary Surrender of a Certificate or License), the action shall also be imposed automatically and immediately on the individual's instructor certification.

(b) Certification. To obtain certification, a candidate shall:

  (1) have a high school diploma or a general educational development (GED) certificate;

  (2) have active Texas EMS personnel certification;

  (3) complete a training program using an instructor training curriculum approved by the department; or

  (4) successfully complete a methods of teaching course or other type of instructor training course approved by the department; the course completed shall be a minimum of 40 hours and all requirements shall be completed within one year of the completion date on the course certificate, and the department may exempt those applicants who are already certified in those courses; or

  (5) an instructor candidate who has a degree in secondary or higher education, a secondary teaching certificate or is currently certified as an EMS Instructor in another state shall submit documentation to verify the degree, teaching certificate or out-of-state instructor certificate;

  (6) submit an application to the department with a nonrefundable fee of $30 to the department, except a fee shall not be required if compensation is not received for instructing training courses or programs; and a course completion document from a department-approved instructor course; and

  (7) pass the instructor examination administered or approved by the department.

  (8) The instructor candidate who does not pass the department-administered exam may have one opportunity to retest by submitting the retest application and $30 retest fee, if applicable. The retest must be completed no later than one year after the course completion date. The candidate who fails the retest must complete another instructor course to become eligible for instructor certification.

(c) Currently certified instructors shall be considered to have met the qualifications in this section.

(d) Period of certification. After verification by the department of the information submitted by the candidate, the candidate who meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section shall be certified as an instructor for two years commencing on the date of issuance of the certificate.

(e) Responsibilities. An instructor shall have the following responsibilities:

  (1) conduct classroom and laboratory sessions in accordance with lesson objectives as assigned by the course coordinator;

  (2) conduct skills proficiency verifications and other student evaluations as assigned by the course coordinator;

  (3) assist the course coordinator in preparing and maintaining records and performing other duties necessary to insure the integrity, efficiency and effectiveness of the course;

  (4) adhere to the curriculum standards as referenced in §157.32 of this title (relating to Emergency Medical Services Education Program and Course Approval);

  (5) adhere to the standards outlined in the department's EMS Education and Training Manual;

  (6) provide supervision and oversight for assigned courses;

  (7) function as the liaison between the students, the course coordinator, the program, and the department;

  (8) ensure that the facilities, including the classroom and lab areas, are conducive to a positive learning environment;

  (9) ensure that equipment and supplies are clean, in working order, and of adequate quality and quantity to provide a positive learning environment;

  (10) properly administer and maintain integrity of the skills proficiency verifications and other student evaluations during a course;

  (11) properly and accurately inform students of the requirements, processes, and paperwork necessary for Texas EMS certification or licensure;

  (12) properly and accurately inform students of the laws and rules regulating EMS, including requirements for staffing Texas EMS vehicles; and

  (13) maintain the overall classroom setting and/or course presentation to ensure the integrity, efficiency, and/or effectiveness of the course.

(f) Recertification.

  (1) Prior to the expiration of a certificate, the department shall send a notice of expiration to the certificant at the address shown in the current records of the department. It is the responsibility of EMS personnel to notify the department of any change of address.

  (2) If a certificant has not received notice of expiration from the department 30 days prior to the expiration, the certificant shall request an application for recertification from the department or download an application from the Internet. Failure to apply for recertification shall result in expiration of the certificate.

  (3) To be eligible for recertification, the instructor shall meet recertification requirements during the latest instructor certification period:

    (A) maintain active status EMS certification;

    (B) submit documentation of observing or providing at least 8 hours of emergency medical care by or with a licensed EMS provider, first responder organization or clinical site; and

    (C) submit the application for recertification and a nonrefundable fee of $30.

  (4) After verification by the department of the information submitted, the candidate who meets the requirements of this section shall be recertified for two years commencing on the day following the expiration of the current certificate.

(g) Late recertification.

  (1) An application for renewal of a certificate shall be considered late if:

    (A) the application and nonrefundable fee are received after the most recent certificate has expired; or

    (B) all requirements for recertification are not met prior to the end of the most recent certification period.

  (2) An instructor who has not recertified prior to the end of his most recent certification period is not certified.

(h) Recertification. To be eligible for recertification, the candidate shall meet the following:

  (1) A candidate whose certificate has been expired for 90 days or less may renew the certificate by submitting an application and paying a nonrefundable renewal fee that is equal to 1-1/2 times the normally required application renewal fee for that level as listed in subsection (b)(6) of this section;

  (2) A candidate whose certificate has been expired for more than 90 days but less than one year may renew the certificate by submitting an application and paying a nonrefundable renewal fee that is equal to two times the normally required application renewal fee as listed in subsection (b)(6) of this section.

  (3) A candidate must complete all the requirements for recertification no later than one year after the expiration of the most recent certificate.

  (4) After verification by the department of the information submitted by the candidate, the candidate who meets the requirements of this subsection shall be recertified for two years commencing on the day of issuance of a certificate.

  (5) A candidate whose certification is expired more than one year must meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.

(i) Disciplinary action.

  (1) Emergency suspension. The department may issue an emergency order to suspend an instructor certification if the department has reasonable cause to believe the conduct of the certified instructor creates an imminent danger to the public health or safety.

Cont'd...

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