Re: Fw: Fw: Paramedic Recert

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Fw: [texasems-L] Re: Paramedic Recert

>Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1999 11:31:54 -0600

>

>FYI, posted on the Tx EMS List...Vickie

>-----Original Message-----

>

>To: egroups <egroups>

>

>

>|Doug:

>|

>|As I understand it, one of the main reasons TDH is going in this

>direction,

>|which is the opposite of the approach they were trying to push via project

>|Alpha, was because medical directors statewide did not want the

>|responsibility of saying, " this one can practice, but this one can't, "

>|without the backup of an absolute testing requirement. The most commonly

>|expressed concern was from medical directors for FD-based EMS services who

>|stated the EMS service would just replace them if their medical competency

>|standards were higher than the department was willing to tolerate. The

>|general consensus was that a lot of departments wouldn't tolerate anything

>|much above bare minimums, which may be selling a lot of fire departments

>|short, but that seemed to be the general impression. I believe that

>medical

>|directors ought to have a lot broader control and authority over the EMS

>|services they direct for, as opposed to a lot of the regulations -

>proposed

>|and existing - but I suspect a lot of your colleagues fear liability and

>|other issues like that I mentioned above. The thing is that this level of

>|authority bears with it a great deal of responsibility that not all docs

>|seem to want. I'm rather pleased that this does not seem the case with the

>|medical directors I work with. What do some of the other medical directors

>|who lurk on the list think?

>|

>|Dave

>| [texasems-L] Paramedic Recert

>|

>|

>|> I have been reading the post over the last few days about the new

>|> recertification rule that TDH is trying to pass, where you are required

>to

>|> pass your recert exam, again to be certified for 4 more yrs.

>|>

>|> I have to agree with those that have said, that they don't like having

>to

>|> take the exam every 4 yrs when we as physicians do not have to test but

>|> once, just like nurses, lawyers, and other licensed professionals,

>|including

>|> the " New Licensed Paramedics " Again, to me it seems that the " little "

>guy

>|> is getting stepped on again. I feel that as a physician, I should be

>the

>|> one that says who remains certified if they are working under my

>protocols

>|> and license. The medical director now has the option of signing a form

>|for

>|> the licensed paramedic that says, they DO NOT have to take the state

>exam.

>|> To me, this same rule should apply to ALL paramedics and EMS personnel.

>|>

>|> It should be up to the medical director to set what their passing score

>is

>|> for his or her service. I know one that has set the passing score at

>85%.

>|> One medic passed his state recert exam with an 82%, but had to take it

>|again

>|> because the medical director had set the passing score at 85%. He did

>|pass

>|> and is still working for that service.

>|>

>|> I do plan on sending Jim Arnold an e-mail and telling him that I thing

>|that

>|> it should be up to the medical director and that if TDH wants us as

>|> physicians to become involved in EMS more, then they should let us run

>our

>|> services as we see fit, and still maintain a high quality of personnel.

>|>

>|> A LP only has to have more CE if they do not take the state exam, why

>|can't

>|> we do the same for the certified personnel also.

>|>

>|> I hope that if you disagree with this new proposed rule that you will

>|> contact TDH and let them know. I know that there are going to be the

>ones

>|> out there that want this rule changed back to where you have to pass the

>|> recert exam to remain certified.

>|>

>|> It was pointed out in one post that TDH is giving the medical directors

>|TOO

>|> MUCH control. Let me point out that with us, there would be no ALS or

>|MICU

>|> services. As a physician, with my license one the line, I will control

>|over

>|> a service, at least the patient care part. The business part is up to

>|other

>|> people.

>|>

>|> Again, this is just how I feel about the matter

>|>

>|> Thanks

>|> Doug , DO