Update on the New EMS Education Standards
- May 16, 2008
Update on the New EMS Education Standards
The Education Standards project is well under way. The 3rd Draft just posted in May. The Instructors Guidelines will follow shortly thereafter. The goal is to deliver a final draft to NHSTA in September 2008. Approval and implementation are expected within 90 days.
The project is a coordinated effort between EMS industry leaders and educators, with significant input from Stakeholders such as NAEMSE, NASEMSO, NREMT, NAEMT, IAFC, IAFF, AHA, ACEP, and Medical Advisors, among others. Publishers have been included in all Stakeholders meetings. Most importantly, the project adopts a process that includes input from all EMS instructors.
According to the projects web site, www.nemsed.org:
Formal education standards will help guide EMS Education Program Managers and Educators in making appropriate decisions about what material to cover in the academic setting. The standards will also be used by publishers to develop instructional materials. The education standards will be based upon the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, and each National EMS Education Standards document will provide the minimal terminal learning objectives for the identified EMS personnel licensure levels.
The National EMS Education Standards will be designed to increase EMS education program flexibility, encourage creativity in education programs, and improve and facilitate alternative delivery methods, such as problem-based learning, computer-aided instruction, distance learning, programmed self-instruction, and other methods.
The most recent activity occurred on February 11-12, where Stakeholders and participants discussed revisions to the 2nd Draft, and touched on timelines for conversion of testing materials. We even briefly discussed the next step in the EMS Education Agendaaccreditation. Attendance was significantly increased from the May 2006 meeting. As a follow up, NASEMSO has invited all publishers to a separate meeting in March to discuss publishing timelines and resources that will enable states to transition to and implement the standards in a timely and accurate fashion.
For more information and updates, be sure to go to www.nemsed.org. There you will find the projects history and purpose, its place in the EMS Education Agenda, current drafts, correspondence from the Taskforce, communiques, and meeting announcements.
