WAC 246-976-023:

WACs > Title 246 > Chapter 246-976 > Section 246-976-023

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246-976-022 << 246-976-023 >> 246-976-024

Agency filings affecting this section

(Effective until September 30, 2024)

PDFWAC 246-976-023

Initial EMS training course requirements and course approval.

To be approved to conduct each initial EMS training course, an EMS training program must:

(1) Meet the requirements identified in Table A of this section;

(2) Submit a completed EMS course training application on forms provided by the department, postmarked or received by the department at least three weeks prior to the course start date identified on the application;

(3) Have the approval of the training program's medical director and the recommendation for approval from the county medical program director; and

(4) Have written course approval from the department.

Table A

Initial EMS Training Course Requirements

REQUIREMENTS
The EMS training program must:
•	If conducting paramedic training courses, be accredited by a national accrediting organization approved by the department;
•	With the course SEI or lead instructor, ensure course applicants meet the course application requirements in WAC 246-976-041;
•	Supply each student with a student handbook as specified in WAC 246-976-022;
•	Provide each student, prior to beginning their field internship rotations, current, county specific, county medical program director field protocols and any specific information they will need while completing the internship; and
•	Use field internship preceptors who monitor and evaluate students in a standard and consistent manner.
EMS course SEI or lead instructor:
The EMS course instructors identified in this section, under the general supervision of the county medical program director (MPD) are responsible:
•	For the overall conduct of the course, quality of instruction, and administrative paperwork;
•	For following the course curricula or instructional guidelines for the level of training conducted;
•	For evaluating the students' knowledge and practical skills throughout the course;
•	For providing on-site instruction during each class and to supervise any other course instruction, unless arrangements have been made for another SEI or lead instructor to supervise. When using other instructors, the SEI or lead need not be physically present but must be immediately available for consultation.
Emergency medical responder (EMR) and EMT courses:
The course instructor must be a department-approved SEI. An SEI candidate may instruct under the supervision of the SEI for the purpose of demonstrating instructional proficiency to the SEI.
AEMT courses:
The course instructor for advanced EMT courses must be:
•	An AEMT that is recognized by the department as an SEI; or
•	A paramedic; or
•	Program instructional staff when training is provided by an accredited paramedic training program; and
•	Approved by the county medical program director.
Paramedic/EMT-paramedic courses:
•	The lead instructor for paramedic courses must have proof of clinical experience at the paramedic level or above; and
•	Must have the approval of the training program's medical director and the county medical program director.
EMS Evaluators:
•	Evaluators must be MPD and department-approved EMS evaluators;
•	EMS evaluators for EMR and EMT courses must be certified at the EMT level or higher;
•	EMS evaluators for advanced EMT courses must be certified at the AEMT or paramedic level.
Other instructors that may instruct individual course lessons when knowledgeable and skilled in the topic, approved by the MPD and under supervision of the SEI or lead instructor:
•	Guest instructors;
•	Department-approved EMS evaluators, to assist the SEI or lead instructor in the instruction of the course, who must be certified at or above the level of education provided; and
•	The MPD, MPD delegate or other physicians approved by the MPD.
Course curriculum or instructor guidelines:
The National Emergency Medical Services Training Standards - Instructor Guidelines published January 2009 for the level of instruction; and
•	Instruction in multicultural health appropriate to the level of training; and
•	A department-approved, four hour infectious disease training program that meets the requirements of chapter 70.24 RCW; and
•	Other training consistent with MPD protocols.
EMS course practical skill evaluations:
SEIs or department-approved EMS evaluators conduct psychomotor evaluations during the course and provide corrective instruction for students. For EMR and EMT courses, evaluators must be certified as an EMT or higher level.
End of course practical skill examinations:
Department-approved SEIs or department-approved EMS evaluators must conduct practical skill examinations. For EMR and EMT courses, evaluators must be certified at the EMT level or higher.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.71, 18.73, and 70.168 RCW. WSR 11-07-078, § 246-976-023, filed 3/22/11, effective 5/15/11.]

(Effective September 30, 2024)

PDFWAC 246-976-023

Initial EMS training course requirements and course approval.

(1) EMS training course applications are required for the following initial and refresher courses:

(a) EMR, EMT, AEMT, and paramedic training;

(b) EMS endorsements; and

(2) To conduct an EMS training course an applicant must:

(a) Submit a completed application on forms provided by the department, postmarked or received by the department at least 30 days prior to the course start date identified on the application.

(b) Provide the following supplemental information:

(i) Type of course being taught;

(ii) Training program the course will be affiliated with;

(iii) The course delivery method;

(iv) The location where the course will be held;

(v) The location where clinical and field training will be conducted and how it will be conducted;

(vi) The location where the psychomotor practical skills examination and minimum student competency verifications will be conducted and how these assessments will be conducted;

(vii) A list of instructional personnel participating in course delivery;

(viii) An example of a certificate of completion that meets the criteria in EMS Training Program and Instructor Manual (DOH 530-126);

(ix) A course schedule or agenda that meets the criteria in EMS Training Program and Instructor Manual (DOH 530-126); and

(c) A recommendation from the county medical program director(s) in the county(s) where the course will be held. The county medical program director must sign the course application.

(d) Be approved by the department.

(3) To conduct an EMS training course, training program directors and instructors must:

(a) Have written approval from the department to conduct the course prior to the start of the course. The department will send written approval to the training program director;

(b) Meet requirements for training programs identified in WAC 246-976-022;

(d) Verify students meet the requirements identified in WAC 246-976-041;

(e) Conduct or facilitate EMS course practical skill evaluations and psychomotor examinations and reexaminations. Use department-approved EMS evaluators that meet requirements in WAC 246-976-031. Evaluators must be certified to perform the skill being evaluated; and

(f) Submit the EMS Course Completion Verification form (DOH-530-008) within 30 days of the course completion date included on the course approval notification from the department.

(4) Course curriculum must meet all of the following standards:

(a) Current national EMS education standards for the level of training conducted including skills identified in the Washington state approved skills and procedures list (DOH 530-173) required for all Washington state certified EMS providers.

(b) Include education on multicultural health awareness as required in RCW 43.70.615, portable orders for life sustaining treatment (POLST) as provided in RCW 43.70.480, and legal obligations and reporting for vulnerable populations as provided in RCW 74.34.035.

(5) Instructional personnel required for courses is as follows:

(a) If the course being taught is provided by a training program that is recognized by an accreditation organization recognized by the department, then instructional personnel must meet standards of the accrediting organization.

(b) For an emergency medical responder (EMR) course, the course instructor must be a department-approved senior EMS instructor (SEI). An SEI candidate (SEI-C) may instruct under the supervision of a current department-approved SEI for the purposes of demonstrating instructional proficiency to SEI.

(c) For an emergency medical technician (EMT) course, the course instructor must be a department-approved SEI. An SEI candidate (SEI-C) may instruct under the supervision of the SEI for the purposes of demonstrating instructional proficiency to the SEI.

(d) For an advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) course, the course instructor must be certified at the AEMT or paramedic level and be a department-approved SEI. An SEI candidate (SEI-C) may instruct under the supervision of the SEI for the purposes of demonstrating instructional proficiency to the SEI.

(e) For a paramedic course, the lead instructor must have proof of clinical experience at the paramedic level or above.

(f) For a supraglottic airway (SGA) endorsement course for EMT, the course instructor must have proof of clinical experience and the depth and breadth of knowledge of the subject matter and be approved by the MPD.

(g) For an intravenous (IV) therapy endorsement course for EMT, the course instructor must have proof of clinical experience and the depth and breadth of knowledge of the subject matter and be approved by the MPD.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.71.205, 18.73.081, 43.70.040, 70.168.050, 2017 c 70, 2017 c 295, 2020 c 76, 2021 c 276, 2019 c 314, 2021 c 69, and 2022 c 136. WSR 24-15-104, § 246-976-023, filed 7/22/24, effective 9/30/24. Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.71, 18.73, and 70.168 RCW. WSR 11-07-078, § 246-976-023, filed 3/22/11, effective 5/15/11.]