BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to department of health authority regarding emergency medical technician license fees; and amending RCW 18.73.081 and 18.71.205.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 18.73.081 and 1993 c 254 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

In addition to other duties prescribed by law, the secretary shall:

(1) Prescribe minimum requirements for:

(a) Ambulance, air ambulance, and aid vehicles and equipment;

(b) Ambulance and aid services; and

(2) Adopt procedures for services that fail to perform in accordance with minimum requirements;

(3) Prescribe minimum standards for first responder and emergency medical technician training including:

(a) Adoption of curriculum and period of certification;

(b) Procedures for certification, recertification, decertification, or modification of certificates;

(c) Adoption of requirements for ongoing training and evaluation, as approved by the county medical program director, to include appropriate evaluation for individual knowledge and skills. The first responder, emergency medical technician, or emergency medical services provider agency may elect a program of continuing education and a written and practical examination instead of meeting the ongoing training and evaluation requirements;

(d) Procedures for reciprocity with other states or national certifying agencies;

(e) Review and approval or disapproval of training programs; and

(f) Adoption of standards for numbers and qualifications of instructional personnel required for first responder and emergency medical technician training programs;

(4) Prescribe minimum requirements for liability insurance to be carried by licensed services except that this requirement shall not apply to public bodies; and

(5) Certify emergency medical program directors.

(6) This section may not be construed as granting authority to the secretary to set license fees for emergency medical technicians.

Sec. 2. RCW 18.71.205 and 1992 c 128 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The secretary of the department of health, in conjunction with the advice and assistance of the emergency medical services licensing and certification advisory committee as prescribed in RCW 18.73.050, and the board of medical examiners, shall prescribe:

(a) Minimum standards and performance requirements for the certification and recertification of physician's trained intravenous therapy technicians, airway management technicians, and mobile intensive care paramedics; and

(b) Procedures for certification, recertification, and decertification of physician's trained intravenous therapy technicians, airway management technicians, and mobile intensive care paramedics.

(2) Initial certification shall be for a period of three years.

(3) Recertification shall be granted upon proof of continuing satisfactory performance and education, and shall be for a period of three years.

(4) As used in chapters 18.71 and 18.73 RCW, "approved medical program director" means a person who:

(a) Is licensed to practice medicine and surgery pursuant to chapter 18.71 RCW or osteopathy and surgery pursuant to chapter 18.57 RCW; and

(b) Is qualified and knowledgeable in the administration and management of emergency care and services; and

(c) Is so certified by the department of health for a county, group of counties, or cities with populations over four hundred thousand in coordination with the recommendations of the local medical community and local emergency medical services and trauma care council.

(5) The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs uncertified practice, the issuance and denial of certificates, and the disciplining of certificate holders under this section. The secretary shall be the disciplining authority under this section. Disciplinary action shall be initiated against a person credentialed under this chapter in a manner consistent with the responsibilities and duties of the medical program director under whom such person is responsible.

(6) This section may not be construed to grant the secretary authority to set license fees for emergency medical technicians.