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(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.
(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;
(19)along with the course coordinator, attest to the
successful course completion of all students who meet the programs
requirements for completion;
(20)provide the department with information and reports
necessary for planning, administrative, regulatory, or investigative
purposes;
(21)provide the department with any information that
will affect the program’s interaction with the department, including
but not limited to changes in:
(A)program director;
(B)course coordinators;
(C)medical director;
(D)classroom training facilities;
(E)clinical or field internship facilities; and
(F)program’s physical and mailing address;
(22)provide proof of accreditation by CAAHEP/CoAEMSP
or another national accrediting organization recognized by the department;
(23)submit a roster of all enrolled students when
requested by the department;
(24)submit a final student roster when requested by
the department; and
(25)online and or distance learning classes, programs
and courses must meet the same standards as outlined in this section.
(q)Program Re-approval.
(1)Prior to the expiration of a program’s approval
period, the department shall send a notice of expiration to the program
at the address shown in the current records of the department.
(2)If a program has not received notice of expiration
from the department 45 days prior to the expiration, it is the program’s
duty to notify the department and request an application for re-approval.
Failure to apply for re-approval shall result in expiration of approval.
(3)Programs that have obtained approval as of the
effective date of this rule shall be considered to have met the requirements
of subsection (g) or (h) of this section appropriate to their current
level of approval.
(4)To be eligible for re-approval, the program shall
meet all the requirements in subsections (g), (h) or (m) of this section
as appropriate to the level of approval requested; and
(A)prepare an update to the program’s self-study
that addresses significant changes in the program’s personnel,
structure, curriculum, resources, policies, or procedures;
(B)document progress toward correction of any deficiencies
identified by the program or the department through the self-study
and on-site review process;
(C)host an on-site review if one is deemed necessary
by the department or requested by the program; and
(D)a paramedic program must provide documentation
of current accreditation from CoAEMSP or another national accrediting
organization recognized by the department.
(r)Fees.
(1)The following nonrefundable fees shall apply:
(A)$30 for review of a basic self-study, except that
this nonrefundable fee may be waived if the program receives no remuneration
for providing training;
(B)$90 for conducting a basic site visit;
(C)$60 for review of an advanced self-study, except
that this nonrefundable fee may be waived if the program receives
no remuneration for providing training;
(D)$250 for conducting an advanced site visit;
(E)$30 for processing a basic course notification
or approval application, except that this nonrefundable fee may be
waived if the program receives no remuneration for providing training;
and
(F)$60 for processing an advanced course notification
or approval application, except that this nonrefundable fee may be
waived if the program receives no remuneration for providing training.
(2)Program approvals shall be issued only after all
required nonrefundable fees have been paid.
(s)Course Notification and Approval.
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