This section, led by system regulators, will outline the different practice levels. The Education Agenda talks about this section in terms of the current National EMS Blueprint, which the Scope of Practice Model will replace. The authors envision this section as the place to identify minimum entry-level knowledge and skills. These standards will identify learning objectives, rather than the current National Standard Curriculum that is an outline of content to be covered in each course. The Education Agenda cites wide deviation in the process and intensity for state approval and control of EMS educational programs.
Independent accreditation is only available at the paramedic level.
The committee title is new as of January 2000. The committee hopes that states adopt the accreditation process to approve educational programs. The Education Committee states that there is a wide range in the state's testing and granting of authority to perform the skills of an EMS provider. The Education Agenda Committee envisions a single certifying organization that will be accepted by state agencies. Provider testing will be designed to verify entry level competence, based on a practice analysis of EMS providers and adhering to American Psychological Association standards for testing utilized by other allied health professionals.