Paramedic Program Accreditation in California
By Terry Crammer, Program Director, Paramedic Training Institute

The education of paramedics has come a long way since the early 1970;s when the curriculum and textbooks had to be developed by the training programs, since paramedic studies were so new. Available references were either physician or nursing based and many were not applicable to the field setting.

For over thirty years, there have been paramedic training programs in Los Angeles County with the EMS Agency being responsible for oversight and approval. In 2000, influenced by the California Paramedic Program Director's (CPPD) Organization, the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, were revised to require a standardized approval process by a national organization for paramedic programs in California. The current accrediting organization is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Healthy Educational Programs (CAAHEP), which is the umbrella organization for the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP). Basically, CoAEMSP does the monitoring and makes recommendations to CAAHEP to accredit or not accredit a program. Other types of healthcare programs accredited by this organization include nursing, respiratory care, and x-ray technician.

Accreditation allows for standardization of program content throughout the state and helps to ensure a quality learning environment. All of the paramedic training programs must meet certain standards which are evaluated during the accreditation process.

Although the concept seem relatively simple, the process is very intense, consisting of the submission of an application self-study packet, which serves as a paper representation of the program, an on-site visit, evaluation and final approval or recommendations by the CoAEMSP Board.

Each applying program receives a site visit by assigned program experts. Two days of the visit are spent interviewing current students, employers, graduates, field and clinical preceptors, staff, and administration. Many hours are spent randomly reviewing student records and verifying hat training was appropriate and documented according to the current standards and guidelines. The site visitors provide an exit interview and then leave to prepare a final report that identifies strengths of the program and areas of deficiency.

A copy of the site visit findings is sent to the school, allowing the school to provide additional supporting documents or evidence to clarify any noted deficiencies. The CoAEMSP board receives the final report for a recommendation. The CoAEMSP recommendation is then sent to CAAHEP for final review and approval. Once approved, the program must continue to submit yearly updates to the CAAHEP to maintain accreditation.

Although there was much anxiety associated with the process, overall the process benefited each program by ensuring the development of policies and procedures that may not have existed in the past. Additionally, it provided insight to administrators on the strengths and deficiencies of the program and fostered discussion with constituents. It took months of preparation to demonstrate the quality of the program to "outsiders".

The great news is that Mount San Antonio College Paramedic Program, the Paramedic Training Institute, and UCLA/Daniel Freeman Paramedic Program, all Los Angeles County approved paramedic programs, passed this vigorous assessment.

The national recognition exemplifies the quality and commitment of all three programs to provide competent safe paramedics to serve the citizens of Los Angeles County and the State of California, which they collectively have done for over 35 years.

 

 

Anyone interested in becoming a paramedic
Should ensure that the school they plan to attend
In California is accredited by CoAEMSP.

Article rom the Los Angeles County DHS-EMS Agency Newsletter EMERGIPRESS
Summer 2006, Volume 11, Issue 2