Paramedic (PM)

Paramedic (PM)

What is a Paramedic?

The Paramedic is an allied health professional whose primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation for emergent patients. Paramedics function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight. Paramedics perform interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an advanced life support ambulance or response vehicle. The Paramedic is a link from the scene into the health care system.

What is the Scope of Practice of a Paramedic?

A Paramedic may, under the direction of a Committee approved Medical Director:

  1. Perform all procedures that an Advanced EMT may perform;
  2. Initiate the following airway management techniques:
    1. Endotracheal intubation without rapid sequence induction;
    2. Needle Cricothyrotomy; and
    3. Transtracheal jet insufflation;
  3. Initiate intraosseous needle placement and maintain an intraosseous infusion;
  4. Provide advanced life support in the resuscitation of patients in cardiac arrest;
  5. Perform emergency cardioversion;
  6. Perform external transcutaneous pacing of bradycardia;
  7. Perform electrocardiographic interpretation;
  8. Initiate needle thoracostomy;
  9. Access indwelling catheters and implanted central IV ports for fluid and medication administration;
  10. Prepare and administer routine or emergency immunizations and tuberculosis skin testing, as part of an EMS Agency’s occupational health program, to the EMS agency personnel, under the Medical Director’s standing order;
  11. Prepare and initiate or administer any medications under specific written protocols authorized by the Medical Director, or direct orders from a licensed transferring physician.

Responsibilities of Registry Certified Personnel:

Certified personnel must notify the Registry within 30 days regarding the following matters:

  1. Change in mailing address (the best way to update a mailing address is by editing your account profile)
  2. Any criminal conviction.
  3. Disciplinary action taken by any agency having jurisdiction (or government body) that has resulted in suspension, revocation, or expiration of registration/licensure; termination of right to practice; voluntary surrender of registration/licensure while under investigation.

The Registry considers the individual to be solely responsible for their certification and reporting, any failure to follow process or report as required is solely the failure of the certified person and may result in immediate dismissal of their certification, as well as, immediate notification to any pertinent regulatory agency of their dismissal.

Disciplinary Policy and Rights of Appeal for The Registry can be found on The Registry website.

Requirements for Initial Registration (Certification):

Individuals applying for Paramedic certification must meet the following requirements:

  1. Candidate must be 18 years of age or older
  2. Successful completion of a registry accredited Paramedic (PM) course that meets or exceeds the Registry Education Standards for Paramedic.
  3. Candidate must have completed the course within the past two years and the course Program Director must verify successful course completion on the Registry website.
  4. Candidate must have a current American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or equivalent credential.
  5. Candidate must have a current American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or equivalent credential.
  6. Candidate must have a current American Heart Association BLS for "Healthcare Provider" or equivalent credential.
  7. Candidate must successfully complete the Registry cognitive (knowledge) and approved psychomotor (skills) exams. Passed portions of each examination (cognitive and psychomotor) remain valid for 12 months.

Application Process

  1. Create an account on the Registry website.
  2. Submit a Registry application and answer all questions truthfully.
  3. The Registry may deny certification or take other appropriate actions in regards to applicants for certification or recertification when a criminal conviction has occurred.
  4. Pay the application fee of $120 usd.
    1. The application fee is non-transferable and non-refundable.
    2. This fee is charged for each attempt at the cognitive examination.
  5. Candidates will receive an electronic Authorization to Test (ATT) once you are eligible for the exam.
    1. The electronic ATT contains scheduling instructions and important details concerning proper identification required at testing centers.
    2. You can find the ATT in the “Alerts” section of your account page.
    3. The ATT is your test key and you will need to carry it with you to a testing center to be provided access to your examination.

Reciprocity:

  1. The candidate who holds a current certification with the Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), at this level or higher, may apply for reciprocity at this level, if their initial or CME training meets the scope of practice listed above.
  2. The candidate who holds a current license with a State in the United States, at this level or higher, may apply for reciprocity at this level, if their initial or CME training meets the scope of practice listed above.
  3. The candidate who holds a current registration with the Paramedicine Board of Australia (PBA), at this level or higher, may apply for reciprocity at this level, if their initial or CME training meets the scope of practice listed above.
  4. The candidate who holds a current certification with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC), at this level or higher, may apply for reciprocity at this level, if their documented training meets the scope of practice listed above.
  5. The candidate who holds a current certification with the Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC), at this level or higher, may apply for reciprocity at this level, if their documented training meets the scope of practice listed above.