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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
RESEARCH STAFF
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MEGHANN BRENNAN LEGISLATIVE
INTERN JASON BEZOZO ASSISTANT
RESEARCH STAFF
DIRECTOR HEALTH COMMITTEE Telephone: (602) 542-3171 Facsimile: (602) 542-7833 |
HEALTH COMMITTEE
DATE: March 2, 2001
SUBJECT: Strike Everything Amendment to S.B. 1308
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.
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. The strike everything amendment to S.B. 1308 aligns Arizona’s standards with the National Registry (as well as other states) by eliminating the requirement to complete additional curriculum when National Registry certification is current.
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. Provides for a general effective date.
MB/JB/jas