JULY / IN THIS ISSUE

Register Today for Webinar on Wednesday!

Webinar on Strategies to Improve the Educational Program

Wednesday, August 2 at 1 pm Central Time

Continuous Quality Review: Strategies to Improve the Educational Program

Programs should evaluate their services in a variety of ways, obtaining input from multiple sources. Assessment methods include resource assessment tools; regular surveys or evaluations from students; end-of-program evaluations from students; evaluations from students on specific clinical and field internship rotations and preceptors; comments from students, faculty, employers, and Advisory Committee members; CoAEMSP Annual Report; and use of tools such as a SWOT analysis (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, threats). These processes are all part of quality assessment and review and provide the basis for long-range planning. This presentation will review available tools, appropriate intervals, and best practices from participants.

At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Describe various methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of their EMS educational program. 
• Identify which evaluation tools are required by CoAEMSP for program and student evaluation. 
• List the timing of the required evaluation tools.

Facilitators:

• Patricia Tritt, MA, RN, Technical Consultant, CoAEMSP
• Lisa Collard, AS, Assistant to Executive Director, CoAEMSP

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Webinars are recorded and archived here. Webinars are available within one week of the recording.

Come See Us at Sessions & Booth #214

CoAEMSP will be at the NAEMSE Annual Symposium

Thurs, Aug 17 @ 10:15 am

CoAEMSP/CAAHEP Update

Join the leadership of the CoAEMSP to hear what is new in accreditation. Take the opportunity to ask your questions and hear first-hand from the CoAEMSP on topics that will impact paramedic education programs in the coming year.

Fri, Aug 18 @ 3:15 pm

Paramedic Program Accreditation: Best Practices and Common Questions

Hundreds of emails and phone calls are received by the CoAMESP team throughout any given year. Some inquiries require simple guidance, and others are complex, with the need for a comprehensive analysis of the situation. Regardless of the situation, CoAEMSP staff are available to support, encourage, and consult with programs. During this session, we will review the most frequently cited accreditation standards and offer guidance on best practices to avoid common pitfalls. We will offer answers to some common questions. Perhaps you are seeking guidance on how best to leverage your advisory committee. What are the qualifications to serve as a "public" member of the advisory committee? Are there strategies to build rapport and gain access to clinical sites? Do you need assistance with the development of a particular policy? Join us as we discuss best practices, provide guidance, dispel myths, and answer your questions.

Sat, Aug 19 @ 9:15 am

CAAHEP Standards & Guidelines Revisions

Over the past two years, CoAEMSP has been navigating the process of revising and updating the 2015 version of the CAAHEP Standards & Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in the Emergency Medical Services Professions. The CAAHEP Standards & Guidelines are based on a CAAHEP template with modified requirements specific to the EMS profession. Following multiple reviews and stakeholder engagement, including public comment periods, we are excited to provide the timeline for implementation. Join us as we explore the revised CAAHEP Standards & Guidelines.

Annual Accreditation Fee is Now Due

October 18-19, Bloomington, Minn.

Fundamentals of Accreditation Workshop for the EMS Professions

The workshop is designed to educate participants on the CAAHEP Standards and the accreditation process, enhancing the accreditation knowledge of Paramedic program faculty.

Are you a new program director? Are you considering starting a Paramedic program? Then this workshop is required.

Using expert presentations and interactive group learning activities, the workshop will provide best practices to avoid common stumbling blocks.

Upcoming dates:

October 18-19, 2023, Bloomington, Minn. (registration now open)

January 3-4, 2024, via Zoom (registration opens November 1)

May 29 or 30, 2024, Oklahoma City, Okla @ACCREDITCON (registration opens September)

CAAHEP and CoAEMSP Plan to Launch Voluntary AEMT Accreditation January 1, 2025

To advance the recommendations of the 2019 National EMS Scope of Practice Model and the 2021 National EMS Education Standards, CAAHEP plans to launch voluntary programmatic accreditation at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) level by January 1, 2025; CoAEMSP will provide the accreditation services.

Read the announcement here.

There are several steps prior to January 1, 2025, to gather perspectives and recommendations from stakeholders and develop and implement a voluntary programmatic accreditation at the AEMT level. Key milestones in advance of the launch include:

• May - November 2023 - Robust stakeholder engagement and feedback
• December 4, 2023 - Open for public comment the policies and interpretations of the CAAHEP Standards for AEMT education programs. 
• January 18, 2024 - Public comment period closes. (Feb 4, the CoAEMSP Board reviews the comments and approves the final draft)
• March 4, 2024 - Publish policies and interpretations of the CAAHEP Standards for AEMT education programs. 
• June 1, 2024 - Make available all documents and forms for AEMT programs, including the Letter of Review (LoR) application, self-study report, site visit report, annual report, etc.
• January 1, 2025 - Accept LoR applications from AEMT programs. 

Additional information is available on the CoAEMSP website.

2023 CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the EMS Professions Approved

The revised CAAHEP Standards for Paramedic programs will be effective January 1, 2024, and are posted here.

CoAEMSP will host a webinar this fall to review the changes and timelines, so watch for more information in the monthly e-newsletter.

Read more on how this will impact your program.

Congratulations!

John Mack, MS, NRP, Program Director of the Paramedic Program sponsored by Prince George's Community College, Largo, Md., earned the Master of Science degree conferred in June 2023 by Thomas Edison State University.

Albert Smith, MS, NRP, Program Director of the Paramedic Program sponsored by Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College, Logan, WV, earned the Master of Health Administration degree conferred in April 2023 by the University of Phoenix.