(1) The purpose of this section is to identify requirements to apply for, conduct, and renew an OTEP program. OTEP is a method of recertification defined in WAC 246-976-010.

(2) To apply for approval of an OTEP, an applicant must:

(a) Be a licensed EMS service, ESSO, a local county or regional EMS office, or an EMS county medical program director (MPD);

(b) Submit a completed application on forms provided by the department, postmarked or received by the department at least 90 days prior to the OTEP start date identified on the application;

(c) Obtain the recommendation for approval from the MPD in each county where the OTEP will be conducted. The MPD(s) must sign the application; and

(d) Provide the following supplemental information:

(i) The levels of training included in the OTEP;

(ii) What skills, endorsements, or specialized training are to be included in the OTEP;

(iii) The name of the EMS services that will be participating in the OTEP;

(iv) A description of how the OTEP program meets the education requirements described in WAC 246-976-161 and how the topics will be covered over a three-year period;

(v) Identify the sources of the instructional material that will be used. All training and education content must meet the requirements in WAC 246-976-163;

(vi) Describe how specialized training or other components required by the MPD will be incorporated into the OTEP;

(vii) Describe how and when the OTEP will be reviewed and updated to remain current with state and national standards;

(viii) Identify the course delivery method for didactic components;

(ix) Describe how the effectiveness of the OTEP is evaluated including what testing mechanisms are in place to evaluate participant competency;

(x) Describe how quality improvement activities are incorporated into the OTEP;

(xi) Describe how OTEP records will be managed and tracked, if the record is electronic or paper, the position within the organization responsible for tracking how participants are notified of their progress, completion, and compliance with OTEP, how participants can request and receive copies of their training records during and after affiliation with the EMS service, and how records will be maintained;

(xii) Describe how the EMS service supervisor verifies attendance and completion of OTEP modules and that a participant has met the minimum requirements of the OTEP for recertification; and

(xiii) Provide a description of the remediation plan to include how failed or missed courses can be made up and when a certified EMS provider must recertify using the CME method because they did not meet the minimum standards of the OTEP.

(3) To conduct an OTEP program, the applicant must:

(a) Have approval from the MPD and the department prior to the start of the OTEP. The department will send written approval to the applicant and the MPD;

(b) Develop, implement, and keep updated an OTEP that meets education requirements in WAC 246-976-161;

(c) Provide personnel that meet requirements in WAC 246-976-031;

(d) Provide knowledge and skill evaluations following completion of training to assess the competency of the participant. Practical skill evaluations must be recorded on department-approved practical skill evaluation forms or nationally recognized skill evaluation forms. An MPD may approve an alternative method and documentation standard for skill evaluations;

(e) Provide education at least on a quarterly basis. An EMS service in a rural area who uses volunteers may submit an alternative schedule and request an exception to this requirement from the department;

(f) Maintain training records for a minimum of seven years or in accordance with the records retention requirements of the organization, whichever is greater; and

(g) Provide training records to participants, the department and MPD upon request. This includes skill sheets, rosters, evaluations, quizzes, and training content.

(4) OTEP programs may use a distributed learning model to provide OTEP when the training and content meets requirements in WAC 246-976-161 and each topic includes a cognitive evaluation after the training.

(a) Instruction and demonstration of practical skills may be provided using a distributed learning model.

(b) Evaluation of all practical skills must be provided in person.

(c) To receive credit for the topic, the participant must successfully complete both the didactic and any required skill evaluation for that topic.

(5) OTEP programs must be renewed every five years. To renew an OTEP program:

(a) Submit a completed application on forms provided by the department, postmarked or received by the department at least 90 days prior to the OTEP start date identified on the application; and

(b) Meet all the requirements in this section.