Assigned to HEALTH                                                                                                         AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1308

 

 BOMEX; board membership

(NOW:  EMT paramedics; certification; reciprocity)

                                                                                                                                                      

Purpose

 

Allows the Department of Health Services (DHS) to certify certain qualified basic emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics without requiring completion of statewide, standardized training and testing procedures, for six months within the date of certification.

 

Background

 

In Arizona, there are three categories of EMTs – basic, intermediate and paramedic.  EMT-basic is the entry level position, and involves training in basic emergency medical practices such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and splinting and bandaging, as well as some advanced skills that include defibrillation, starting I.V.s and advanced airway treatments.  There are approximately 10,000 basic level EMTs in the state.  Paramedics are the most advanced EMTs and engage in a more exhaustive curriculum that includes extensive pharmacology, anatomy and physiology.  There are around 1,000 paramedics in Arizona.

 

There is a National Registry for EMTs, which consists of more than 180,000 EMTs.  Certification with the National Registry is required for licensure in 41 states, including Arizona.  National Registry certification and maintenance involves initial training and testing as well as 36 hours of continuing education each year.  In addition to obtaining certification through the National Registry, a state curriculum has been developed for initial certification as well as continuing education for maintaining certification for EMTs in Arizona.

 

According to rules adopted by the DHS Director, basic EMTs and paramedics that come to Arizona from another state must prove current certification with the National Registry.  In addition, they are required to complete either a 32-hour refresher course for EMT-basics or a challenge course for paramedics that consists of 36 hours of clinical training and 48 hours of classroom training. S.B. 1308 allows a basic EMT or paramedic to obtain certification in this state without completing the training or passing the standardized test for six months within certification.

Provisions

 

1.      Allows DHS to certify qualified basic EMTs and paramedics without requiring completion of statewide, standardized training and testing procedures if the EMT is registered with the National Registry of EMTs.

 

2.      Requires the EMT to complete the statewide standardized training or pass the standardized certification test within six months of being certified.

 

3.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

 

Amendments Adopted by Committee

 

Adopted the strike everything amendment.

 

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

 

Requires an EMT basic or paramedic who is registered with the National Registry of EMTs and certified in this state to take the required training or pass the certification test within six months of certification.

 

Senate Action

 

HEA                3/6/01              DPA/SE           7-1-0-0

3rd Read           3/15/01                                    29-0-1

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

April 10, 2001