CRAT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

DATE: April 10th, 2004
PURPOSE: To establish a set of guidelines for the collection and release of ALS providers. This shall serve to provide a consistent process for ALS providers to follow.

I. ALS Classes and Release Processes

The Clinical Review and Training Committee does not want to discourage anyone from furthering their education as a care provider; however they do want to stress the importance of strong basic life support skills. Therefore, a provider may take a EMT-E or EMT-I class at anytime, but there will be time restrictions for when they may begin collecting for release as an ALS technician. The CRAT Committee has set for the following timelines for when the provider may begin collecting ALS calls once they are certified. For the most part these are minimum time periods that have been established. It does not guarantee that a provider will begin collecting or be released within those specified times. Upon receipt of their ALS certification card, the provider must get the approval of the CRAT Committee to begin the collection process. The Committee reserves the right to extend or deny the collecting time based on the provider's clinical performance, comfort level and/or their preceptor's recommendation.

a. EMT-Basic to EMT-Enhanced - The provider must have been a released AIC for a minimum of 6 months (not including probationary time) in order to begin collecting for release as a EMT-E. The provider will use the point system to collect calls for release. There is a minimum collecting time of 2 months for release as a EMT-E.

b. EMT-Basic to EMT-Intermediate - The provider wishing to go from EMT-B to EMT-I will do so in a step-wise fashion. In other words, they will need to be a released EMT-Enhanced in order to begin collecting for Intermediate release. The provider must be a EMT-E for a minimum of 6 months (to include the E collecting time) before beginning to collect Intermediate level calls. The provider will follow the E/I/PM Release Process as oulined by the CRAT Committee. There is a minimum collecting time of 4 months for release as a EMT-Intermediate.

c. EMT-Enhanced to EMT-Intermediate - The provider must be a EMT-E for a minimum of 6 months (to include collecting time) in order to begin collecting calls for release as a EMT-I. The provider will follow the E/I/PM Medic release Process as outlined by the CRAT Committee. There is a minimum collecting time of 4 months for release as a EMT-Intermediate.

d. Any new CARS member that is currently released as an ALS provider at another agency within the TJEMS region shall be considered released at that level upon completion of the mandatory observation time.

e. In the event that an unreleased ALS provider is without a preceptor and feels that their patient needs ALS intervention, they should ask ECC to tone for ALS (either E or I/PM). If there is significant delay or it is unlikely that a released ALS provider will be able to assist, the unreleased provider may contact medical command and ask permission to begin ALS. At no time should an unreleased provider begin ALS care without the permission of on-line medical command, unless immediate intervention is necessary for a fatal injury or illness. Two unreleased ALS providers do not equal a released one. Together they shall follow the same guidelines as one unreleased provider.

II. ALS Providers From Outside the TJEMS Region

a. Should a provider choose to take an ALS class outside of the TJEMS region, they will follow the same timelines as set forth in the above section.

b. If the provider has taken an ALS class outside the TJEMS region, the provider must meet with the CARS OMD as well as one of the UVA Pre-Hospital representaives. The OMD will meet with the technician for an oral/practical test. The UVA Pre-Hospital represenative will go over important re-certification information, TJEMS ALS protocols and hospital procedures.

c. Any new CARS member that is currently released as an ALS provider at an agency outside of the TJEMS region shall go through an abbreviated collection process following their mandatory observation time. The time and collection process for these providers will be determined by the CRAT Committee on an individual basis, taking into consideration years of experience and references from his/her previous agency.