Chapter 4765-12 First Responder Certification

(A) Pursuant to division (A)(2) of section 4765.30 of the Revised Code, the board may waive the requirement to be a volunteer for a non-profit entity if an applicant demonstrates, in a format approved by the board, the following:

(1) The applicant has a compelling need to become a first responder;

(2) Becoming a first responder will benefit the applicant’s workplace or community in which the applicant wishes to serve.

Replaces: Part of former 4765-12-02

Effective: 11/27/2003

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/13/2008 and 11/13/2013

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4765.11

Rule Amplifies: 4765.30

Prior Effective Dates: 4/4/98, 2/22/99

(A) A training program for first responder certification shall be in accordance with division (B) of section 4765.16 of the Revised Code and this rule. Such program shall consist of a minimum of forty-eight hours according to objectives approved by the board, which can be found at www.ems.ohio.gov, in all of the following subject areas:

(1) A preparatory portion that provides, as a minimum, an understanding of:

(a) The roles and responsibilities of the first responder within the EMS system;

(b) Medical and legal issues;

(c) Basic anatomy and physiology;

(d) Personal protection from airborne and blood-borne pathogens;

(e) Lifting and moving of patients.

(2) An airway portion that includes procedures for airway management and ventilation;

(3) A portion that includes procedures for assessment of trauma and medical patients, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) History taking and physical examinations;

(b) Assessing vital signs;

(c) Components of basic triage;

(d) Information needed by transporting EMS personnel.

(4) A portion that includes management of cardiac emergencies, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated defibrillation;

(5) A portion devoted to illness and injury management, including patient-assisted epinephrine administration;

(6) A portion devoted to children and childbirth.

(7) Practical testing as prescribed by the board.

(B) An accredited institution may grant a maximum of four hours of credit towards the forty-eight hour first responder training program requirements, set forth in paragraph (A) of this rule, if the student provides documentation of successful completion of a health care provider course or professional rescuer course provided through one of the following:

(1) American red cross;

(2) American heart association; or

(3) American safety and health institution.

(C) A first responder refresher program shall consist of fifteen hours according to objectives approved by the board, which can be found at www.ems.ohio.gov, for the number of hours in each of the following subject areas:

(1) Three hours on preparatory considerations;

(2) Two hours on airway management and ventilation, including oxygen therapy;

(3) Two hours on patient assessment;

(4) Two hours on cardiac management, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated defibrillation;

(5) Three hours on illness and injury management, including assisting patients with epinephrine auto-injectors;

(6) One hour on childbirth and pediatric issues;

(7) One hour on geriatric issues;

(8) One hour on trauma issues.

(D) Accredited or approved institutions offering a training program, as outlined in paragraphs (A) and (C) of this rule, shall provide for regular evaluations of student performance and achievement through written and practical testing, prior to issuance of a certificate of completion.

Effective: 02/01/2009

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/13/2008 and 11/13/2013

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4765.11

Rule Amplifies: 4765.16

Prior Effective Dates: 4/4/98, 11/27/03

(A) Except as otherwise provided in section 4765.31 of the Revised Code and this chapter, when applying for renewal of a certificate to practice, a person certified as a first responder shall document compliance with one of the four following continuing education requirements:

(1) Completion of a total of not fewer than fifteen hours of continuing education, including a minimum of one hour devoted to each of the following topics:

(a) Patient assessment;

(b) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(c) Airway management and oxygen administration;

(d) Automated defibrillation;

(e) Illness and injury management;

(f) Trauma issues;

(g) Anaphylaxis and patient-assisted epinephrine administration.

(2) Completion of a first responder refresher program as outlined in this chapter;

(3) Current registration with the national registry of emergency medical technicians at the first responder or equivalent level;

(4) A passing score within three attempts on an examination approved by the board, pursuant to section 4765.10 of the Revised Code, to demonstrate competence to have a certificate to practice as a first responder renewed without completing an EMS continuing education program. This examination may only be taken during the last six months of a first responder’s current certification period.

Replaces: Part of former 4765-12-08

Effective: 11/27/2003

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/13/2008 and 11/13/2013

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4765.11

Rule Amplifies: 4765.16, 4765.24, 4765.31

Prior Effective Dates: 4/4/98

(A) In accordance with division (B) of section 4765.35 of the Revised Code, a first responder may perform the following emergency medical services:

(1) Open and maintain the airway;

(2) Oropharyngeal airway adjunct;

(3) Nasopharyngeal airway adjunct;

(4) Obstructed airway management;

(5) Oral suctioning;

(6) Oxygen administration, including the following:

(a) Nasal cannula;

(b) Non-rebreather mask;

(c) Mouth-to-barrier devices;

(7) Ventilation management, including the following:

(a) Bag valve mask;

(b) Ventilation with a flow-restricted oxygen-powered device;

(8) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(9) Automated external defibrillation;

(10) Spine board (long and short);

(11) Splinting devices;

(12) Cervical immobilization device;

(13) Soft tissue management;

(14) Taking and recording of vital signs;

(15) Patient care report documentation;

(16) Emergency childbirth management;

(17) Trauma triage determination pursuant to rule 4765-14-02 of the Administrative Code.

(B) In accordance with division (C) of section 4765.35 of the Revised Code, a first responder may perform the following additional emergency medical services only pursuant to the written or verbal authorization of a physician or of the cooperating physician advisory board, or authorization transmitted through a direct communication device by a physician or registered nurse designated by a physician, or in accordance with written protocols as specified in division (D) of section 4765.35:

(1) Assisted administration of epinephrine auto-injector, which shall consist of either of the following:

(a) Assisting with patient’s prescribed epinephrine upon the patient’s request and with written protocol;

(b) Assisting with EMS-provided epinephrine with on-line medical direction.

(2) Any other services pursuant to a research study approved by the board under rule 4765-6-04 of the Administrative Code and within the parameters established by the board for such study.

(C) A physician or cooperating physician advisory board that serves as the medical director for any EMS organization may limit but not exceed the scope of practice for those first responders who provide emergency medical services under the auspices of the physician’s certificate to practice medicine and surgery, or osteopathic medicine and surgery, issued under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code.

(D) A first responder shall not perform emergency medical services within this rule unless the first responder has received training as part of an initial certification course or through subsequent training approved by the board. If certain emergency medical services, within the first responder scope of practice, were not included in the training specified in this paragraph, the first responder must have received training regarding such services approved by the local medical director before performing those services.

Effective: 05/29/2008

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/13/2008 and 11/13/2013

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4765.11, 4765.35

Rule Amplifies: 4765.35

Prior Effective Dates: 11/27/03

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