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TITLE 25HEALTH SERVICES
PART 1DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
CHAPTER 157EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE
SUBCHAPTER DEMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION
RULE §157.49Emergency Medical Services Operator and Operator Instructor Training and Certification

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish standards and requirements related to protocols for delivery of emergency medical information to members of the public during medical emergencies; certification of emergency medical services (EMS) information operators; approval of training programs for EMS information operators; certification of EMS information operator instructors; and approval of EMS information operator instructor training programs.

(b) Provision of medical information.

  (1) An EMS information operator may provide medical information to a member of the public during an emergency call if the information operator has successfully completed an EMS information operator training program approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (department) and holds a certificate issued under the provisions of this section or holds equivalent credentials recognized by the department; and

  (2) An EMS information operator may provide medical information to a member of the public during an emergency call if the information provided conforms to the protocol and medical direction for delivery of the information adopted by the department under the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.

(c) Protocols for delivery of medical information.

  (1) The department shall approve the use of protocols for delivery of medical information to a member of the public by EMS information operators during an emergency call if it determines that the protocols are substantially equivalent to the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Protocol Reference System (PRS) as referenced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the EMD National Standard Curriculum and are approved by a physician who is providing medical direction for the delivery of the medical information.

  (2) Delivery of medical information to a member of the public by EMS information operators during an emergency call shall be conducted under the medical direction of a physician who shall have reviewed and approved:

    (A) the protocol to be used; and

    (B) a system for assuring the quality of the information and the process followed in providing the information.

(d) EMS information operator certification.

  (1) To become certified as an EMS information operator, a candidate must meet the following criteria:

    (A) be at least 18 years of age;

    (B) hold current evidence of completion of a nationally recognized basic CPR course approved by the department which includes written and skills proficiency examinations;

    (C) have completed, within one year prior to application, a department-approved EMS information operator training program as defined in subsection (g)(1) and (2) of this section; and

    (D) pass an EMS information operator written examination and skills proficiency evaluation which have been approved by the department.

  (2) A candidate who does not pass the written EMS information operator examination may retest one time within 90 days of attempting the initial examination.

  (3) A candidate who does not pass the written EMS information operator reexamination shall be required to complete another department-approved EMS information operator training program as defined in subsection (g)(1) and (2) of this section.

  (4) Certification as an EMS Information Operator shall be valid for a period of four years commencing on the date the certificate is issued.

(e) Recognition by equivalent credentials. Upon written request to the department and submission of its program's curriculum, the department may approve credentials issued by an emergency medical dispatch certification agency, organization, or by another state as being equivalent to EMS information operator certification.

(f) Recertification. If an EMS information operator has not received notice of expiration of the certification it is the individual's responsibility to locate an EMS information operator instructor for recertification.

  (1) To be eligible for recertification as an EMS information operator the individual shall:

    (A) maintain current CPR certification; and

    (B) complete 12 hours of continuing education in any of the following areas or activities:

      (i) protocol review;

      (ii) planning and management;

      (iii) quality assurance; and

      (iv) non-traditional educational programs.

  (2) An EMS information operator meeting the requirements in paragraphs (A) and (B) of this subsection shall be issued a certificate valid for four years commencing on the date of issuance.

(g) EMS information operator training programs.

  (1) EMS information operator training programs shall be conducted by a certified EMS information operator instructor who has met the requirements established in subsection (h)(1) of this section.

  (2) The standards for EMS information operator training and operations shall be in accordance with the EMD National Standard Curriculum.

  (3) The course shall consist of not less than 24 hours of classroom instruction in, but not limited to, the following content areas:

    (A) roles and responsibilities;

    (B) legal and liability issues;

    (C) EMD concepts;

    (D) obtaining information from callers;

    (E) resource allocation;

    (F) providing emergency care instruction;

    (G) introduction to the EMD PRS;

    (H) introduction to chief complaint types; and

    (I) EMS system overview.

(h) Course approval.

  (1) Prior to starting a course, an EMS information operator instructor shall:

    (A) submit a completed and signed course approval application;

    (B) submit a non-refundable course approval fee of $60, except a fee shall not be required if the EMS information operator instructor is not to be compensated for providing EMS information operator training;

    (C) submit a course outline listing content by contact hours and instructor names; and

    (D) submit a copy of the PRS protocols to be used.

  (2) If the course approval application meets the criteria established in this section, the EMS information operator instructor shall receive a letter of approval from the department with an assigned course number.

  (3) Representatives of the department may monitor courses at any time for compliance and quality with on-site observation and other methods as deemed necessary.

(i) Denial of course application.

  (1) Reasons for denial of course approval include, but are not limited to, the following:

    (A) failure of an EMS information operator instructor to hold current certification in accordance with subsection (j)(1) of this section;

    (B) issuing a check which is returned unpaid;

    (C) submission of an incomplete course approval application;

    (D) failure to meet minimum course content requirements;

    (E) starting or advertising a course without prior approval from the department; and

    (F) failing to maintain affiliation with a sponsoring agency as defined in subsection (j)(1)(D) of this section.

  (2) If a course approval application is denied, the EMS information operator instructor shall receive a letter from the department detailing the specific reasons for the denial.

(j) EMS information operator instructor certification.

  (1) To become certified as an EMS information operator instructor, a person must:

    (A) be at least 18 years of age;

    (B) hold a high school diploma or GED certificate;

    (C) hold certification as an EMS information operator;

    (D) have a written agreement or verified affiliation with an EMS provider, a licensed health care facility, an institution of post secondary education, a law enforcement agency, a fire department, a public emergency dispatch agency, or other public safety agency;

    (E) have completed, within one year prior to application, a department-approved EMS information operator instructor training program or hold EMS Instructor certification;

    (F) submit an application to the department with a nonrefundable fee of $60, except a fee shall not be required if the candidate is not to be compensated for providing EMS information operator training; and

    (G) pass an EMS information operator instructor written examination administered or approved by the department.

  (2) After verification by the department of the information submitted by the candidate, the candidate who meets the requirements in subsection (j)(1) of this section shall be certified for a period of two years commencing on the date of issuance of the certificate.

Cont'd...

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