HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 111.02 REVISED 8-2015_TDSHS Certs & Renewals1 1 1.02 — TDSHS Certifications & Renewal Processes
Effective. 6/1/1999
Revised: 8/5/2015
Replaces: UOG 111.10 &11 1.10A
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I. Guiding PhilosophX
The Texas Department of State Health Services enforces statewide laws and assures that
emergency medical services are effectively delivered within the State of Texas by establishing
minimum standards for emergency medical systems and certifications. We comply with these
mandates to insure the services we deliver are efficient, effective and safe.
II. Purpose
The primary purpose of this policy is to ensure compliance with TDSHS standards. A
secondary purpose is to develop safe and competent emergency medical responders who, within
the parameters of their level of certification and Beaumont Fire Rescue Services policies,
protocols and procedures, are capable of effectively and legally managing patient care during
emergency medical calls for service.
III. Goals
The goal of this policy is to establish and maintain TDSHS compliance through
continuing education and certification by:
A. Communicating the legal basis for TDSHS regulatory requirements.
B. Detailing minimum and advanced certification requirements.
C. Discussing the certification renewal process.
D. Detailing the First Responder Organization (FRO) registration renewal
responsibilities.
IV. Definitions
A. First Responder Organization (FRO) — as per rule 157.14 (a), a FRO is a group
or association of certified emergency medical services personnel that works in
cooperation with a licensed emergency medical services provider to:
1. Routinely respond to emergency situations,
2. Utilize employees, and/or members who are emergency medical service
(EMS) certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services,
3. Provide on -scene patient care to the ill and injured and does not transport
patients.
B. TDSHS — acronym for Texas Department of State Health Services.
V. Reaulatory Reauirements
A. The certification of emergency medical services personnel is one of the major
responsibilities of the Bureau of Emergency Management, mandated by Chapter
773 of the State of Texas Health and Safety Code. Emergency medical care rules
are located in Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 157.
B. First Responder Organization (FRO) registration is maintained in accordance with
Rule 15 7.14—Requirements for First Responder Organization Registration.
C. Certification, registration and related information may be found at the TDSHS
website.
VI. Minimum Certification Requirements
A. In an effort to provide quality service and have the capability to meet the needs of
the citizens of Beaumont, the following minimum standards will be observed as a
condition of employment:
1. Grades I -III personnel hired prior to August 1, 1996 will, as a minimum,
maintain a First Responder (ECA) certification, unless replaced by any
level of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
2. All personnel hired after August 1, 1996 will, as a minimum, maintain an
EMT—Basic certification, unless replaced by a higher level.
Any person certified (as ECA or any level of EMT) as of January 1, 2008
will maintain his/her level of certification, unless replaced by a higher
level.
B. Medical certifications will be maintained in accordance with the requirements
established by the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Medical
Director for the City of Beaumont, and Beaumont Fire -Rescue Services.
C. Personnel who are hired with advanced medical certifications (EMT -I or EMT -P)
or who obtain advanced medical certifications at the City's expense are required
to maintain that level of certification for the duration of their employment.
D. The department encourages personnel to broaden their medical capabilities by
upgrading their emergency medical certifications. Persons interested in upgrading
their TDSHS certification level should utilize the Request for Training process
(SOG 111.01). Approval of certification upgrade requests will be based on
departmental need, current assignment, and available funding.
VIII. Certification Renewals
A. To renew a certification, TDSHS rules require that individuals complete a
minimum number of approved continuing education hours in various subscales.
This must be accomplished over a four-year period, and the number of hours is
based on the level of certification.
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B. The EMT Training Program Coordinator will:
1. Ninety (90) days prior to the certification renewal date, review the
individual's training and continuing education credits in the Firehouse
Programs Module and/or the Target Solutions Program to determine their
status relative to required sub -scale and total hours, based on the level of
certification held.
2. At this same time, contact the Chief Fire Marshal via email requesting an
Investigator conduct background screens on those individuals who will be
renewing their certifications.
If an individual falls short of the required continuing education credits,
develop a supplementary continuing education assignment for the
individual that will insure compliance.
4. Notify individuals requiring the supplementary assignment via return
receipt email of the assignment and the deadline for completion. Copy
his/her chain of command, up to and including his/her Deputy Chief.
If there is a problem with the background screen, contact the individual to
discuss the issue and assist with completing the renewal documentation.
6. When the individual has achieved compliance with TDSHS requirements,
complete the TDSHS online license renewal and payment of fees through
the Texas Online system.
C. The Individual seeking certification renewal is responsible for:
1. Insuring that he/she meets the standards for certification renewal based on
his/her certification level.
2. Responding promptly to notifications from the EMT TrainiWPrQgram
Coordinator regarding his/her certification status.
3. Successfully completing all supplementary continuing education credits
and notifying the EMT Trainin P�ro&am Coordinator of such within the
established time Period.
4. Promptly responding, reviewing and signing all necessary paperwork or
documentation.
5. Delivering a copy of TDSHS renewal documentation to the EMT Training
Program Coordinator for verification of the renewal is sent to the
individual's home address.
D. When verification of the renewal has been received, the EMT Training Program
Coordinator will insure processing of the renewal documentation as follows:
1. Update the renewal and expiration dates as appropriate in the Firehouse
Staff and Program Modules.
SOG 1 1 1.02 — TDSHS Certifications & Renewal Processes Page 3 of 4
2. Update the new expiration date and certification information in Target
Solutions online database.
3. Make copies of all documentation for the individual's emergency medical
training file and scan into Laserfiche.
4. Route the original certificate and wallet card to the individual via
interoffice mail.
IX. TDSHS FRO Registration Renewal
A. The EMT Training Program Coordinator will coordinate the renewal of the
department's FRO registration and compliance efforts.
B. The Support Branch Director and Medical Services Program Manager are
responsible for monitoring the program and insuring the department's compliance
and registration is maintained.
SOG 1 1 1.02 — TDSHS Certifications & Renewal Processes Page 4 of 4