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1997 SESSION

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CHAPTER 248 An Act to amend and reenact §§ 32.1-111.4 and 32.1-111.5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to certification and recertification of emergency medical services personnel. [H 2127] Approved March 11, 1997

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 32.1-111.4 and 32.1-111.5 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 32.1-111.4. Regulations; emergency medical services personnel and vehicles.

A. The State Board of Health shall prescribe by regulation:

1. Requirements for record keeping, supplies, operating procedures and other agency operations;

2. Requirements for the sanitation and maintenance of emergency medical services vehicles and their medical supplies and equipment;

3. Procedures, including the requirements for forms, to authorize qualified emergency medical services personnel to follow Emergency Medical Services Do Not Resuscitate Orders pursuant to § 54.1-2987.1;

4. Requirements for the composition, administration, duties and responsibilities of the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board;

5. Requirements, developed in consultation with the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, governing the certification and recertification of emergency medical services personnel which shall include (i) authorization, in lieu of a written examination, for continuing education, skills testing, and exemptions from the written examination for the recertification by the relevant operational medical director; (ii) approval by the Office of Emergency Medical Services of continuing education modules in which each module shall be tested separately; (iii) authorization of the relevant operational medical director to require the written examinations provided by the Office of Emergency Medical Services, as deemed necessary, of certain emergency medical services personnel; (iv) triennial recertification of advanced life support providers; and (v) effective on January 1, 1998, a sequential option for the completion of the skills tests for recertification; and

6. Requirements for written notification to the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, the State Office of Emergency Medical Services, and the Financial Assistance and Review Committee of the Board's action, and the reasons therefor, on requests and recommendations of the Advisory Board, the State Office of Emergency Medical Services or the Committee, no later than five workdays after reaching its decision, specifying whether the Board has approved, denied, or not acted on such requests and recommendations.

B. The Board shall classify agencies and emergency medical services vehicles by type of service rendered and shall specify the medical equipment, the supplies, the vehicle specifications and the personnel required for each classification.

C. In formulating its regulations, the Board shall consider the current Minimal Equipment List for Ambulances adopted by the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons.

§ 32.1-111.5. Certification and recertification of emergency medical services personnel.

A. The Board shall prescribe by regulation the qualifications required for certification of emergency medical care attendants, including those qualifications necessary for authorization to follow Emergency Medical Services Do Not Resuscitate Orders pursuant to § 54.1-2987.1.

B. Each person desiring certification as emergency medical services personnel shall apply to the Commissioner upon a form prescribed by the Board. Upon receipt of such application, the Commissioner shall cause the applicant to be examined or otherwise determined to be qualified for certification. If the Commissioner determines that the applicant meets the requirements of such regulations, he shall issue a certificate to the applicant. An emergency medical services personnel certificate so issued shall be valid for a period required by law or prescribed by the Board. The certificates may be renewed after successful reexamination of the holder. Any certificate so issued may be suspended at any time that the Commissioner determines that the holder no longer meets the qualifications prescribed for such emergency medical services personnel.

C. The Board shall prescribe by regulation procedures and the qualifications required for the recertification of emergency medical services personnel. Such regulations shall include (i) authorization for continuing education and skills testing, in lieu of a written examination, with the signature of the relevant operational medical director; (ii) authorization for the relevant operational medical director to require the written examinations administered or approved by the Office of Emergency Medical Services, as deemed necessary, of certain emergency medical services personnel; (iii) authorization for exemptions from the written test for recertification by the relevant operational medical director; (iv) triennial recertification of advanced life support providers; (v) approval by the Office of Emergency Medical Services of continuing education modules in which each module may be tested separately; and (vi) effective on January 1, 1998, a sequential option for the completion of the skills tests for recertification.

C. D. The Commissioner may issue a temporary certificate when he finds that it is in the public interest. A temporary certificate shall be valid for a period not exceeding ninety days.