Transition in Testing for Washington State EMS Personnel

Goals for Today:•Understand Why the Transition•Historical Perspective •Success Strategies•Test Sites•SEI & Student Responsibilities•Project Next Steps

Test Transition-Why?

Criteria of a Reliable Examination

•Must be Valid

•Must be Accurate and Fairly Assess Candidate’s Knowledge

•Must be Secure

•Must be Defensible

Historical (pre-2010) Practice for Providing Initial Certification Exams in Washington State:

First Responder: Exam developed by Department of Health

EMT-Basic: Exam developed by Department of Health

EMT-Intermediate: Exam developed by Department of Health

Paramedic: Exam developed and administered by the National Registry of EMT’s (NREMT)

Challenges with Past Testing Process

•Remaining consistent with EMS Standards and Best Practice

•Exam Security

•Validation of Exam Questions

•Update to Reflect most recent EMS Scope and Educational Standards

•Inconsistent and increasing costs to the candidate (range from $0 to $45 per person)

Process Involved in Test DevelopmentTime Intense and Costly

•Develop and Write Exam Questions (Educators and State staff)

•Validation of Exam Questions (through contract with UW Psychomatrician)

•Constructing multiple Exams

•Coordinate Distribution and Tracking of Exams

•Ensuring Exam Security

•Ongoing Updates of Exams

Educational Strategies that Promote Success…

•Accept highly motivated students.

•Assure Program Support

•Use periodic assessments throughout the course

•Develop standardized lesson plans

Educational Strategies that Promote Success…

•Have a passing standard that is above minimum competency level

•Hire qualified/certified instructors

•Maintain effective communication among instructors

•Instructional consistency

Educational Strategies that Promote Success…

•Provide clearly defined and communicated objectives

•Provide immediate feedback to students on periodic evaluations.

•Require Pre-requisites

•Teach Test taking skills

Current NREMT Test Exam Sites

Yakima Renton

Seattle (Northgate) Centralia

Port Angeles Pasco

Bellingham Spokane Valley

Portland area (Beaverton, Oregon) The Dalles, Oregon

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Lewiston, Idaho

NREMT Test Exam Sites

More Work to be Done:

•Identify Additional Test Sites

•Monitor Current Test Site Status

•Build Capacity

•Anticipate Changes in Current Status

NREMT Testing Fees

•First Responder: $65 per candidate

•EMT-Basic: $70 per candidate

•Paramedic: $110 per candidate

SEI/Program Responsibilities

1. Verify when students have completed EMS Course (Practical Skills and end of course test).

2. Register program with NREMT

3. Verify Completion of Psychomotor (practical skills) exam for each student

4. Encourage Students to Register for Exam 3-4 weeks out.

EMS Student Responsibilities

1. Students Register for Exam 3-4 weeks out.

2. Go to NREMT website and create their own account.

3. Create a new application on NREMT website

4. Once approved by SEI/Program Director, Print ATT Letter

5. Schedule the Exam

6. Take the Exam and Obtain results within 24 hours.

Certification & Renewal Exam Table

Certification Activity Type – Current Rules NREMT Cert Exam

NREMT Assessment

Exam

OTEP No Exam

Initial Washington State Approved Course XWashington Recertification (CME) XWashington Recertification (approved OTEP) XReinstatement (Washington only) – CME [PM >2 yrs or < 2 yrs]

> 3 years < 3 years

Reinstatement (Washington only) – OTEP [PM >2 yrs or < 2 yrs]

> 3 years < 3 years

* Reciprocal Certification (NR) * > 18 months** Reciprocal Certification (State) Never NR Prev NRChallenge (course, but not certified or NR) X

* NREMT certification examinations results are valid for one year (18 months).** Applicant at each certification level must complete following NREMT examination:•Certification examination if they have never been Nationally Registered.•Assessment examination if they are currently Nationally Registered and it has been more than 18 months since their certification examination.•Assessment examination if they have previously been Nationally Registered, but no longer have a valid NREMT credential and are certified by another state.Practical Skills Examinations:BLS level practical skills examinations approved by Washington State are accepted by the NREMT. EMT-Intermediate/Advanced EMT and Paramedic practical skill examinations are conducted using examinations provided by the NREMT and administered by the Department.

Certification & Renewal Exam Table Certification Activity Type – Proposed

RulesNREMT

Cert Exam

NREMT Assessment

Exam

OTEP No Exam

Initial Washington State Approved Course X

Washington Recertification (CME) X

Washington Recertification (approved OTEP) X

Reinstatement (Washington only) – CME > 2 years < 2 years

Reinstatement (Washington only) – OTEP > 2 years < 2 years

* Reciprocal Certification (NR) * > 12 months

** Reciprocal Certification (State) Never NR Prev NR

Challenge (course, but not certified or NR) X

* NREMT certification examinations results are valid for one year (12 months).** Applicant at each certification level must complete following NREMT examination:•Certification examination if they have never been Nationally Registered.•Assessment examination if they are currently Nationally Registered and it has been more than 12 months since their certification examination.•Assessment examination if they have previously been Nationally Registered, but no longer have a valid NREMT credential and are certified by another state.Practical Skills Examinations:BLS level practical skills examinations approved by Washington State are accepted by the NREMT. EMT-Intermediate/Advanced EMT and Paramedic practical skill examinations are conducted using examinations provided by the NREMT and administered by the Department.

Current WA State Performance on NREMT Testing

Currently, 57 EMS Training Programs in WA Registered with NREMT. Results:

In 2009, 486 People sat for NREMT, EMT Exam

412 (85%) Passed and received certification

Benefits to Using NREMT Exam

•NREMT develops questions and exam

•NREMT Validates exam

•NREMT Exam provides Fair Evaluation of Knowledge

•NREMT Exam is Defensible

•NREMT Ensures Consistency with Current Practice

•NREMT Provides Test Security

•Passing NREMT Exam provides candidate with recognition in other states

•NREMT Exam is NCCA Accredited

Next Steps

•Identify Additional Testing Sites

•Continue work on an SEI Toolbox

•Transition from National DOT Curriculum to New Educational Standards

•Monitor Performance of Students

•Quality Improvement/Assurance Activities

•Provide Technical Assistance PRN

Questions?