What is a paramedic?

The Paramedic is an allied health professional whose primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation for emergent patients. Paramedics function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight. Paramedics perform interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an advanced life support ambulance or response vehicle. The Paramedic is a link from the scene into the health care system.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF REGISTRY CERTIFIED PERSONNEL:

Certified personnel must notify the Association within 30 days regarding the following matters:

• Change in mailing address (the best way to update a mailing address is by editing your account profile).
• Any criminal conviction.
• Disciplinary action taken by any agency having jurisdiction (or government body) that has resulted in suspension, revocation, or expiration of registration/licensure; termination of right to practice; voluntary surrender of registration/licensure while under investigation.

The Association considers the individual to be solely responsible for their certification and reporting, any failure to follow process or report as required is solely the failure of the certified person and may result in immediate dismissal of their certification, as well as, immediate notification to any pertinent regulatory agency of their dismissal.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INITIAL REGISTRATION (CERTIFICATION):

Individuals applying for Paramedic certification must meet the following requirements:

• Candidate must be 18 years of age or older
• Successful completion of a registry accredited Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) course that meets or exceeds the Association Education Standards for the Emergency Medical Technicians.
• Candidate must have completed the course within the past two years and the course Program Director must verify successful course completion on the Association website.
• Candidate must have a current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) for "Healthcare Provider" or equivalent credential from the following; American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Safety and Health Institute and National HealthCare Provider Solutions for "Healthcare Provider" or equivalent credential.
• Candidate must successfully complete the Association cognitive (knowledge) and approved psychomotor (skills) exams. Passed portions of each examination (cognitive and psychomotor) remain valid for 12 months.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Create an account on the Association website.
• Submit application and answer all questions truthfully.
• The Association may deny certification or take other appropriate actions regarding applicants for certification or recertification when a criminal conviction has occurred.
• Pay the application fee of $115 USD.
  • The application fee is non-transferable and non-refundable.
  • This fee is charged for each attempt at the cognitive examination.
• Candidates will receive an email notification and instruction once eligible for the cognitive and psychomotor exam.
  • The electronic ATT contains scheduling instructions and important details concerning proper identification required at testing centers.
  • Cognitive and Psychomotor Examination will be scheduled by the different assessment centers affiliated with or accredited by the Association.

The Association considers the individual to be solely responsible for their certification and reporting, any failure to follow process or report as required is solely the failure of the certified person and may result in immediate dismissal of their certification, as well as, immediate notification to any pertinent regulatory agency of their dismissal.

RECIPROCITY:

• The candidate who holds a current certification with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).
• The candidate who holds a current license with a State in the United States of America.
• The candidate who holds a current registration with the Paramedicine Board of Australia (PBA).
• The candidate who holds a current certification with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC).
• The candidate who holds a current certification with the Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
• The candidate who holds a current license with Qatar Council of Health Care Practitioners.
• The candidate who holds an active UK Paramedic License/Registry.
• The candidate who holds a current registration with the Health Profession Council of South Africa.
• The candidate who holds a current registration with the International EMS Association (IEMSA).