Chapter 4765-12 First Responder Certification

(A) A training program for certification as a first responder shall meet any knowledge of skill objectives established by the board.

(B) The current national standard curriculum (NSC) as adopted by the United States department of transportation shall be used as a guideline for development of all first responder training curriculum.

(C) Pursuant to section 4765.16 of the Revised Code, all first responder training programs shall be accrediated or approved by the division as directed by the board and first responder training courses shall be taught by a person who holds a certificate to teach at the level appropriate for the course.

(D) The requirement of division (A)(1)(a) of section 4765.30 of the Revised Code shall be waived if the applicant submits to the training program a statement that he of she is not a permanent full-time firefighter. The statement shall be in writing and shall be signed by the applicant. The training program may provide for the statement on its admission application or require the applicant to submit a statement in the student’s record.

(E) The board may waive the requirement of division (A)(1)(a) of section 4765.30 of the Revised Code for an applicant who is affiliated with a “full time” fire department if the applicant establishes the extraordinary need for first responders by his or her residential community. The documentation, which shall include at a minimum the applicant’s signed request for a waiver and a letter from an appropriate source explaining the extraordinary need, shall be filed with the board.

HISTORY: Eff 4-4-98; 2-22-99

Rule promulgated under: RC Chapter 119.

Rule authorized by: RC 4765.11

Rule amplifies: RC 4765.30

119.032 Review Date: 9-27-02; 9-27-07

(A) In accordance with division (B) of section 4765.16 of the Revised Code, a training program leading to certification as a first responder shall be forty hours allocated as follows:

(1) Six hours devoted to preparatory;

(2) Eight hours devoted to airway management including oxygen therapy, and bag valve mask ventilation;

(3) Five hours devoted to patient assessment;

(4) Eight hours devoted to cardiac management including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated defibrillation;

(5) Eight hours devoted to illness and injury management including patient assisted epinephrine administration;

(6) Four hours devoted to children and childbirth; and

(7) One hour devoted to program completion written examination.

(B) “A first responder refresher training program” shall consist of fifteen hours, including, but not limited to, one hour devoted to each of the following topics:

(1) Patient assessment;

(2) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(3) Airway management including oxygen therapy;

(4) Automated defibrillation;

(5) Illness and injury management including patient assisted epinephrine administration;

(6) Children and childbirth.

HISTORY: Eff 4-4-98

Rule promulgated under: RC Chapter 119.

Rule authorized by: RC 4765.11

Rule amplifies: RC 4765.16

119.032 Review Date: 9-27-02; 9-27-07

(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: 11/27/2008

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4765.11, 4765.35

Rule Amplifies: 4765.35

Prior Effective Dates: 11/27/03

Rescinded eff 11-29-07

(A) The board may issue a certificate of accreditation on a provisional basis pursuant to section 4765.17 of the Revised Code, to any applicant who is of good reputation and who demonstrates substantial compliance with the requirements for accreditation as defined in this chapter.

(B) In issuing a certificate of accreditation on a provisional basis, the board shall indicate to an applicant those requirements set forth in paragraphs (A)(1) to (A)(16) of rule 4765-12-05 of the Administrative Code, with which he has failed to demonstrate compliance.

(C) A certificate of accreditation issued on a provisional basis is valid for a period of one year and shall not be renewed.

(D) When an applicant demonstrates compliance with all requirements identified by the board pursuant to paragraph (B) of this rule, the board shall issue a certificate of accreditation.

(E) If an applicant is unable to demonstrate compliance with those requirements identified by the board pursuant to paragraph (B) of this rule within one year after being issued a certificate of accreditation on a provisional basis, he may not submit an application for the training program that was the subject of the provisional accreditation for a period of at least one year.

HISTORY: Eff 4-4-98; 3-23-03

Rule promulgated under: RC 119.03

Rule authorized by: RC 4765.11

Rule amplifies: RC 4765.17

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 09/27/2007

(A) The board shall issue a certificate to practice as a first responder to any applicant who satisfies the following requirements:

(1) Possesses a certificate of completion from a first responder training program accredited by the board under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code and Chapter 4765-12 of the Administrative Code, that verifies completion of a first responder training program at the level for which the certificate to practice is sought;

(2) Is at least eighteen years of age;

(3) Has not been convicted of, pled guilty to, had a judicial finding of guilt, or had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction for, any of the following:

(a) Fraud or material deception in applying for, or obtaining, a certificate to practice under section 4735.30 of the Revised Code;

(b) Any of the following felonies:

(i) Murder;

(ii) Aggravated murder;

(iii) Voluntary manslaughter;

(iv) Felonious assault;

(v) Kidnapping;

(vi) Rape;

(vii) Sexual battery;

(viii) Gross sexual imposition;

(ix) Aggravated arson;

(x) Aggravated robbery;

(xi) Aggravated burglary;

(c) A misdemeanor, other than a traffic violation, committed in the course of practice;

(d) A misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

(e) A violation of any federal, state, county, or municipal narcotics law;

(f) Any act committed in another state that if committed in ohio, would constitute a violation set forth in this paragraph;

(4) Has not been adjudicated mentally incompetent by a court of law;

(5) At the time of application, is not under indictment for a felony set forth paragraph (A)(3)(b) of this rule, or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

(6) Does not currently engage in the illegal use of controlled substances, alcohol, or other habit-forming drugs or chemical substances;

(7) Has passed an examination administered by the board in accordance with section 4765.29 of the Revised Code at the level for which certification is sought.

(B) Not withstanding paragraph (A) of this rule, the board may issue a certificate as a first responder to any person who, on the effective date of this chapter holds a valid completion certificate from a federal, state, or nationally recognized first responder training program and has received training in the taking and monitoring of vital signs, airway management, oxygen therapy and the proper use of an automated defibrillator within five years of the effective date of this rule.

HISTORY: Eff 4-4-98

Rule promulgated under: RC Chapter 119.

Rule authorized by: RC 4765.11

Rule amplifies: RC 4765.30

119.032 Review Date: 9-27-02; 9-27-07

(A) A First Responder shall complete not fewer than fifteen hours of continuing education every three years, including but not limited to one hour each of the following topics:

(1) Patient assessment;

(2) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(3) Airway management and oxygen administration;

(4) Automated defibrillation;

(5) Illness and injury management;

(6) Children and childbirth;

(7) Anaphylaxis and patient assisted epinephrine administration.

(B) The fifteen hours of continuing education required for renewal of a certificate to practice as a first responder set forth in this chapter may be obtained through completion of a first responder refresher course approved by the board.

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

HISTORY: Eff 4-4-98

Rule promulgated under: RC Chapter 119.

Rule authorized by: RC 4765.11

Rule amplifies: RC 4765.31

119.032 Review Date: 9-27-02; 9-27-07

(A) The board shall issue a certificate to teach as a First responder instructor to any applicant who meets the following requirements;

(1) Possesses a current certificate to practice as a first responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, or EMT-Paramedic issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code or rule 4765-8-01 or 4765-12-07 of the Administrative Code;

(2) In the preceding seven years, has not less than five years of experience as a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-intermediate, or EMT-paramedic as determined by the board based on educational preparation in areas related to emergency medical services or experience in the direct provision of emergency medical services;

(3) Has completed a board approved adult education program, or a first responder instructor course that satisfies the curriculum requirements set forth in rule 4765-12-05 of the Administrative Code and that requires as a condition for admission that an applicant pass a written and practical test demonstrating a first responder level of knowledge in emergency medical services;

(4) Submits documentation sufficient for the board that demonstrates knowledge of current standards in the delivery of first responder emergency medical services; and

(5) Possesses current certification as a basic life support instructor.

HISTORY: Eff 4-4-98

Rule promulgated under: RC Chapter 119.

Rule authorized by: RC 4765.11

Rule amplifies: RC 4765.23

119.032 Review Date: 9-27-02; 9-27-07

(A) A first responder shall provide professional services that conform to minimal standards of care for their certification level under similar circumstances.

(B) When providing professional services, a first responder shall exhibit respect for the medical needs and personal values of EMS patients and other certificate to practice holders, medical, or health care practitioners.

(C) A first responder shall not discriminate in the provision of EMS on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

(D) A first responder shall provide medically appropriate evaluation, treatment, and disposition of each EMS patient in accordance with Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code, Chapters 4765-1 to 4765-19 of the Administrative Code, and the medical protocols of the EMS organization by which he is employed or with which he is affiliated.

(E) A first responder shall not perform any services that exceed the scope of his certificate to practice as defined in Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code and rules set forth in Chapters 4765-1 to 4765-19 of the Administrative Code.

(F) A first responder shall not misrepresent his professional qualifications or credentials.

(G) A first responder shall report to the medical director of an EMS organization by which he is employed or with which he is affiliated, any suspicion or knowledge of a violation of this chapter or the failure of any certificate to practice holder to conform to minimal standards of care.

(H) A first responder shall consistently demonstrate a standard of knowledge and competency that meets the level required under his certificate to practice.

(I) A first responder shall accurately document and report, all continuing education programs he completes.

(J) Except as otherwise required by law, first responder shall maintain the confidentiality of patient information.

(K) A first responder shall not release or provide a medical report or any supporting documentation, or otherwise disclose the contents of a medical report to anyone other than those authorized by law to receive them.

HISTORY: Eff 4-4-98; 3-23-03

Rule promulgated under: RC 119.03

Rule authorized by: RC 4765.11

Rule amplifies: RC 4765.30

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 09/27/2007

Nothing in this rule shall be construed as restricting or otherwise limiting the right of a physician who serves as the medical director for any ems organization to determine those first responders he will allow to provide emergency medical services under the auspices of his certificate to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery issued under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code.

HISTORY: Eff 4-4-98

Rule promulgated under: RC Chapter 119.

Rule authorized by: RC 4765.11

Rule amplifies: RC 4765.33

119.032 Review Date: 9-27-02; 9-27-07