is there an I-85 to I-99 upgrade?

[joshemti]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a place with a short bridge program for Intermediate-85's to upgrade to I-99? Any advice you could offer would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

-josh

[Kiwiology]

Do all your prep classes and go to Paramedic school

[JTpaintball70]

As far as I can tell no. I've been looking into it since I have all the classroom medic courses done, and CO doesn't recognize I/85. I was hoping to challenge I/99 but no dice. And don't bother anyway as NREMT is getting rid of I/99 and making AEMT aprox the level of I/85

[chbare]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a place with a short bridge program for Intermediate-85's to upgrade to I-99? Any advice you could offer would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

-josh

Both are going away, why bother? Get ready to transition to AEMT or look at medic school.

Take care,

chbare.

[Lone Star]

Both are going away, why bother? Get ready to transition to AEMT or look at medic school.

Take care,

chbare.

The only 'error' I can see in that logic is that the new changes aren't scheduled until 2014. Since the NREMT is changing the names, it's not changing the cirriculum. Yes, NREMT-I (I-85) will become the new NREMT-AEMT, but the I-99 will become "NREMT Paramedic". According to what I've been able to figure out, there will be two levels of "Paramedic" when the new changes take place.

Just because the NREMT is changing their titles, how long will it take for each NREMT State to get on board with the changes?

LS

The Four New EMS Provider Levels Beginning 2014

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) formerly First Responder (FR)

Proposed is 48-60 hours of education required for those entering the EMS profession under this new provider level.

The 2004 EMS Practice Analysis indicated most FRs in the nation are already authorized to deliver the interventions that will be required by newly licensed EMRs. The SOP calls for EMRs to know self-administration of medication with a Mark I kit, and some splinting techniques that may be new to many FRs.

However, some states continue to follow the 1996 First Responder National Curriculum. In those states, such interventions as AED, BP measurement, oxygen therapy and some additional techniques will also have to be included in transition courses. This means the length of an FR-to-EMR transition will vary depending on the existing competencies of the FR. The NREMT will accept the education covering this information in place of current refresher courses; nationally registered FRs can use transition course completion to meet all of the NREMT recertification requirements. Because the gap between FR and EMR knowledge won’t be extensive in most cases, the NREMT will issue current FRs the new EMR certification when the appropriate transition materials have been completed.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) formerly EMT-Basic (EMT-

Proposed is 150-190 hours of education required for those entering the EMS profession under this new provider level.

This transition does not include a lot of new educational material. In some states, transition material may cover pulse oximetry, new approaches to patient assessment, automatic transport ventilators, administration of aspirin and other minor techniques. Therefore, the NREMT will apply the transition course toward the current NREMT two-year recertification requirements, with all of the transitional education recognized as part of the recertification process. When an EMT-B receives a transition course certificate and produces that as part of their NREMT recertification requirements, an Emergency Medical Technician National EMS Certification will be issued.

Advanced EMT (AEMT) formerly EMT-Intermediate/85 (EMT-I/85)

Proposed is 150-250 hours of education required for those entering the EMS profession under this new provider level in addition to EMT certification.

The gap between the I/85 and the new AEMT level is the largest under the SOP in terms of knowledge and skill. Although the 2004 Practice Analysis indicated much of the AEMT material is already known by many I/85s, the NREMT has never measured the AEMT material on any I/85 examination. For example, in many states, I/85s already administer nebulized beta agonist to patients. However, the NREMT has never measured current I/85s’ ability to accomplish this task. Because of the large gap, the new material will most likely have to be tested to be evaluated by the NREMT. I/85s will most likely have to complete a transition course, which can be applied toward NREMT requirements (72 hours), and then take the new NREMT AEMT National EMS Certification examination in order to validate their competency.

Paramedic formerly EMT-Intermediate/99 (EMT-I/99)

One of the most diffi cult decisions facing SOP developers was whether to discontinue the EMT-Intermediate (I/99) at a national level. Currently, the NREMT has about 3,000 I/99s who are certified. Although I/99s are certified to perform many of the same interventions as paramedics, educators and supervisors have reported that I/99s lack the depth of knowledge of a Paramedic. Because the gap exists regarding knowledge and a few additional drugs that can be covered in a classroom, the NREMT believes the gap between the I/99 and Paramedic levels can be effectively bridged via a transition course without clinical or field internship. Although the gap of material between the I/99 and Paramedic levels hasn’t yet been identified, it appears this transition course may run over two or even three recertification cycles. Therefore, the I/99-Paramedic transition may take a number of years to implement. The ultimate goal, however, is that I/99s must show completion of a transition course that bridges the knowledge gap, however broad the gap is. Once the I/99 completes this transition course he/she can take the NREMT Paramedic examination up to six times. The NREMT does not plan to test I/99s for practical skills since the I/99 practical exam is almost identical to the Paramedic practical exam.

Paramedic formerly EMT-Paramedic This transition will replace the Paramedic refresher process. After an EMT-P completes the transition course, the NREMT will issue the new National EMS Paramedic Certification.

CONCLUSION

To make the transition as smooth as possible, organizations such as The National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO), the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Profession (CoAEMSP), The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and others are willing to send an implementation team to your state or stakeholder organization to explain the agenda and the SOP. You can learn more about this service by visiting www.nasemso.org.

The time has come for EMS to be recognized by other healthcare specialties as a true profession instead of a trade. Implementation of the SOP will reduce fragmentation, lead to better patient care across the nation and help the EMS profession obtain the respect and credibility it deserves. With adequate planning, cooperation and general support, a successful transition as a unified group can be accomplished.

NREMT Source Article

[Dustdevil]

Hooray to the NREMT for successfully rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

[EMS49393]

Wait a minute. I spent two years of my life in school when I could have only spent six months and still be called a paramedic in four years time? I got scr*wed. But seriously folks, this really isn't any better then what we have now. Transition course this and transition course that. How about college degree this and college degree that instead?

Save me a seat on one of those lifeboats, I hear they only have enough to save half of us.

[Kiwiology]

The only 'error' I can see in that logic is that the new changes aren't scheduled until 2014. Since the NREMT is changing the names, it's not changing the cirriculum. Yes, NREMT-I (I-85) will become the new NREMT-AEMT, but the I-99 will become "NREMT Paramedic". According to what I've been able to figure out, there will be two levels of "Paramedic" when the new changes take place.

There will be only one Paramedic level; the I/99s have to transition up to Paramedic via a bridge program hence the "I/99-Paramedic transition"

It is no different here where current IV/Cardiac officers who are called "Paramedic" have to either do the Upskilling module to be called a "Paramedic" (as we are phasing out Paramedic and moving that title to Upskilled Paramedic) or drop down to Ambulance Technician (BLS).

Hooray to the NREMT for successfully rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Dust you broken down old sack of crap, use that wheelchair of yours to barge through the crowd and go aft, I think Second Officer Lightoller is loading boats that way.

[chbare]

This is not a state EMS board conversation, therefore the state stuff is invalid IMO. The OP specifically asked about NREMT. In addition, three years and some change is not that long. I will continue to stand by my statements. I can see only one reason for an 85-99 transition at this point in time: "I want my 99 because it will be an easy transition to paramedic without actually going through a full programme in a few years." If this is the case, it's the path of least resistance and may not be what is best for the patient and your career.

Go to medic school.

Take care,

chbare.

[Lone Star]

There will be only one Paramedic level; the I/99s have to transition up to Paramedic via a bridge program hence the "I/99-Paramedic transition"

Give the article to your seeing eye dog, Ben. Notice that it says: "The Four New EMS Provider Levels Beginning 2014"

Since at least 34 States use the NREMT to replace State testing, it stands to reason that they will follow the NREMT's lead on titles. Additionally, the article references 2 separate 'Paramedic' levels, I'd have to say that there will be 2 levels of Paramedics.

I'm waiting until it happens to sit back and watch the slamming of the 'fake paramedics' by the 'real paramedics'.......