Date of Adoption: August 28, 2003.

     Purpose: The purpose of the rule change is to eliminate incorrect references, redundant language, unnecessary lessons, and provide more clear and concise rule language.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-976-021.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.71.205, 18.73.081, and 70.168.060.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 03-15-069 on July 15, 2003.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
     Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

September 30, 2003

Mary C. Selecky

Secretary

OTS-6203.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 00-08-102, filed 4/5/00, effective 5/6/00)

WAC 246-976-021   Training course requirements.   (1) Department responsibilities: The department will publish procedures for agencies to conduct EMS training courses, including:

     (a) The registration process;

     (b) Requirements, functions, and responsibilities of course instructional and administrative personnel;

     (c) Necessary information and administrative forms to conduct the course;

     (2) Training agency responsibilities:

     (a) General. Agencies providing initial training of certified EMS personnel at all levels (except advanced first aid) must:

     (i) Have MPD approval for the course content;

     (ii) Have MPD approval for all instructional personnel, who must be experienced and qualified in the area of training;

     (iii) Have local EMS/TC council recommendation for each course;

     (iv) Have written approval from the department to conduct each course;

     (v) Approve or deny applicants for training consistent with the prerequisites for applicants in WAC 246-976-041 and 246-976-141.

     (b) Basic life support (first responder, EMT). Agencies providing initial training of basic life support personnel must identify a senior EMS instructor to be responsible for the quality of instruction and the conduct of the course.

     (c) Intermediate life support (IV, airway and ILS technicians). Agencies providing initial training of intermediate life support personnel must:

     (i) Have a written agreement with the clinical facility, if it is separate from the academic facility;

     (ii) Ensure that clinical facilities provide departments or sections, personnel, and policies, including:

     (A) Written program approval from the administrator and chief of staff;

     (B) A written agreement to participate in continuing education;

     (C) Supervised clinical experience for students during the clinical portion of the program;

     (D) An orientation program.

     (d) Paramedics. Agencies training paramedics must be accredited by a national accrediting organization approved by the department.

     (3) Course curriculum. The department recognizes the following National Standard EMS training courses published by the United States Department of Transportation as amended by the department:

     (a) First responder: The first responder training course published 1996, amended by the department March 1998;

     (b) EMT: The emergency medical technician -- Basic training course published 1994, amended by the department ((February 1999)) September 1996;

     (c) IV technician: Those ((parts of)) sections and lessons identified in the emergency medical technician -- Intermediate course published 1999 ((which relate to intravenous therapy lessons 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-6, 2-7, 3-2, 3-3, 4-1, and 4-2;)), amended by the department ((February 1999)) April 2000;

     (d) Airway technician: Those ((parts of)) sections and lessons identified in the emergency medical technician --Intermediate course published 1999 ((which relate to airway management lessons 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-5, 3-2, 3-3, 4-1, and 4-2;)), amended by the department ((February 1999)) April 2000;

     (e) ILS technician: Those ((parts of)) sections and lessons identified in the emergency medical technician -- Intermediate course published 1999 ((which relate to IV therapy and intraosseous infusion, the use of multi-lumen airway adjuncts, and)), amended by the department April 2000 which includes the following medications:

     (i) Epinephrine for anaphylaxis administered by a commercially preloaded measured-dose device;

     (ii) Albuterol administered by inhalation;

     (iii) Dextrose 50% and 25%;

     (iv) Nitroglycerine, sublingual and/or spray;

     (v) Naloxone;

     (vi) Aspirin PO (oral), for suspected myocardial infarction ((lessons 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-6, 2-7, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 4-1, and 4-2; amended by the department February 1999));

     (f) Paramedic: The emergency medical technician --Paramedic training course published 1999, as amended by the department January 2000.

     (4) Initial training for first responders and EMTs must also include approved infectious disease training that meets the requirements of chapter 70.24 RCW.

     (5) Specialized training. The department, in conjunction with the advice and assistance of the L&C committee, may approve specialized training for certified EMS personnel to use skills, techniques, or equipment that is not included in standard course curricula. Agencies providing specialized training must have MPD and department approval of:

     (a) Course curriculum;

     (b) Lesson plans;

     (c) Course instructional personnel, who must be experienced and qualified in the area of training;

     (d) Student selection criteria;

     (e) Criteria for satisfactory completion of the course, including student evaluations and/or examinations;

     (f) Prehospital patient care protocols that address the specialized skills.

     (6) Local government agencies: The department recognizes county agencies established by ordinance and approved by the MPD to coordinate EMS training. These agencies must comply with the requirements of this section.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.71, 18.73, and 70.168 RCW. 00-08-102, § 246-976-021, filed 4/5/00, effective 5/6/00.]

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