ND EMS Instructors

Online refreshers

EMS Instructors and Providers

It is the time of the year that numerous EMS providers are assuring that they have enough continuing education hours in order to recertify. Along with this there are numerous internet companies out there that are offering so called "online refresher courses" that proclaim that all of your refresher requirements can be completed online. The problem with this is that many individuals fall for this and expect that they may complete all of their education requirments through the internet and pay a healthy fee to do this. Then when the material is submitted to the National Registry it is either rejected or audited and the provider is left with no certification or requirements to complete more. In contacting the National Registry they have stated there are a lot of "fly-by-night" organizations that are offering this training with sad results.

North Dakota along with numerous other states follow National Registry guidelines. These guidelines at the EMT level state that a person may claim no more than 12 hours per year of continuing education per year no more than 10 hours of the EMT refresher course may be through distributive methods (internet/online/videos). So this means that you are only able to complete one half of the refresher requirements online and the rest must be classroom based. Education through the internet may not more than 34 hours for a recertification period. Educational programs in North Dakota have not used online refresher means at this time and most do not allow this activity due to inconsistant information and training.

If you need extra hours and your schedule is limited the Division of Emergency Medical Services encourages you to check out online education. There are companies that offer legitamate education for a reasonable price. There are also regional conferences being conducted by the EMS Association that you may receive reimbursement for a portion of the costs. If you so choose to purchase online education here are some points to look for to assure it is legitamate:

1. Make sure the education is approved for North Dakota. DEMST has approved a few out-of-state companies for delivering education within North Dakota and it should be stated on their website. If it is not stated, don't do it

2. If the website states that it is approved through CECBEMS (Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services) North Dakota accepts this level of education along with the National Registry.

3. Regional Conferences put on by the North Dakota EMS Association and other entities will give you the exact amount of education that has been approved through DEMST. This method also gives you the opportunity to ask questions and network with other providers.

4. You can always receive continuing education from your local service. Instructors are advised what can and cannot be used for education and are constantly in communication with the Department.

5. If you are unsure you can always contact us here at DEMST. If you contact us please have a website available or as much information as possible so that we may answer your concerns correctly. Remember even though you are volunteering or actively working for a service it is your responsibility to make sure that all requirements are met.

Just a reminder; DEMST no longer provides online education through our website.

Sincerely

Ed Gregoire, NREMT-P
State EMS Training Coordinator
ND Department of Health
Division of EMS and Trauma

RFP for Pediatric and Trauma Education

There has been some misunderstanding on the Request for Proposals issued by the Division of Emergency Medical Services regarding the Pediatric and Trauma Education. The Department understands that although the RFP references PHTLS and BTLS as nationally recognized courses, it is not possible to certify attendees for an 8 hour course. We are looking for courses that deliver content that is consistent with the topics covered in the national courses. Since the classroom time will be limited to the 8 hours, the depth of study for each topic will be abbreviated when compared to any certification course.

Please remember that the initial proposal may be submitted by email and must be received no later than 5:00PM TODAY and the written/hard copy must be received no later than 5:00pm CST on January 4, 2010 in our office.

If you have any questions please contact Tim Meyer or Ed Gregoire at DEMST.

Instructor Coordinator Courses

Just to inform you that as of December 23, 2009 we have the following scheduled for those of you that are expiring in 2010:

February 6, 2010
Instructor refresher
Grand Forks, ND

February 19-21, 2010
Instructor Coordinator Class and Refresher
Bismarck, ND

Keep in mind that IC courses are conducted on a limited number basis. Please check your current licensure to see if you need to refresh.

For more information on these classes and other EMS classes please view our website at www.ndhealth.gov/ems

Pediatric/Trauma Education Grant

Due to the upcoming holiday and pending weather conditions the Division of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma is allowing proposals for pediatric and trauma education grants to be initially submitted by email in a PDF and followed with a signed copy by postal mail or other delivery methods. The email copy must be received no later than 5:00PM CST December 28, 2009 and the signed hard copy by 5:00PM CST January 4, 2010. Proposals received after these dates and times in the formats described will not be accepted.

If you have already submitted a proposal in a hard copy format, no further action is necessary. Please forward all proposals, electronic and hard copies, to:

krice@nd.gov
Kelli Rice, EMSC Coordinator
ND Department of Health
Division of EMS and Trauma
600 E. Boulevard Ave Dept 301
Bismarck, ND 58505-0200
701-328-2388

Training Grant Request for Proposals

DEMST has just posted on their website Request for Proposals on conducting 10 Pediatric Education and 10 Trauma Education Courses throughout four regions of North Dakota.

Application are posted on: http://www.ndhealth.gov/EMS/grant_applications.htm

Deadline for applications are: 12/28/2009

Please contact Kelli Rice at DEMST for more information

September Test Site

In the past few weeks there has been some confusion on the status of future practical test sites located in Bismarck including the upcoming one on September 12. This is to inform you that the Division of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma has contracted with Allied Consulting and Education to conduct a test site on September 12 at the Law Enforcement Training Academy located here in Bismarck. The application may be downloaded from DEMST website, www.ndhealth.gov/ems and mailed in with payment.

We are unclear on what entity will be conducting future test sites since we have not released a call for bids for the future sites. However you can be assured that we are going to continue to offer 5 different test sites per year located here in Bismarck. The test sites will offer practical examinations at the EMT and Paramedic level.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at 701-328-2388 or 1-800-545-8256.

Practical test schedule

A new schedule will be posted to the Divsion of EMS & Trauma's website for EMS practical testing. I have attached a copy for your use.

The website is www.ndhealth.gov/ems

Please contact DEMST if you have any questions

EMS comparisons

Here is a comparison of the current EMS provider levels and the new EMS Agenda for the Future provider levels. The complete set of EMS Education Standards may be viewed at www.ems.gov

We do not expect the new levels to be implemented until 2011 and will constantly keep you posted on the progression of this.

Regards

Ed Gregoire
State EMS Training Coordinator
ND Department of Health
Divsion of Emergency Medical Services & Trauma
Bismarck, ND

Instructor of the Year

This message has been forwarded from the ND I/C Society

Instructor of the Year Nomination

ND EMS Educators:

With the spring conference quickly approaching, nominations are due for EMS Instructor of the year. If you know of someone who is deserving of this award, please provide the following information before March 25, 2009:

1. Name of the Nominee:

2. Squad / Ambulance Affiliation:

3. Your Name and Contact Information:

4. Why you are nominating the individual for the EMS Instructor of the Year Award.

Send all nominations to any or all of the following people:

Ron Lawler: ron.lawler@fmambulance.com

Sherm Syverson: sherm@fmambulance.com

Leanne Cortes: leannkm2000@yahoo.com

Random Stations for EMT testing

Please view the PDF that is attached.

Education Standards

Please review the attached document relating to the new Education Standards