Florida's Emergency Medical Services Strategic Plan

AppendixAFlorida ASTNARecommendations StateEMS Strategic Plan Goal 8.5Goal 8.5: Adopt initial and continuingeducational training requirements for aircrewof licensed air providersASTNA OBJECTIVES:In meeting this Strategic Plan goal, we recommendthat the current RN and paramedic continuingeducation requirements incorporate specificeducation required by air medical personnel vs.requiring additional education hours. Allocation ofhours specific to air medical transport will meet theneeds of our licensed air medical providers whileminimizing the financial hardship that imposingadditional educational hours would incur.FL ASTNA also recognizes that minimumqualifications for employment should includetraining specific to the service (rural vs. urban),demographics of the patient population (neonatal,pediatric, maternal, adult), the mission profile ofthe program (scene vs. interfacility, short vs. longtransport distances), and type of transport vehicle(fixed wing vs. rotor wing).Introduction: Air medical transport is a highlyspecialized and unique component of the FloridaEMS community. Air medical crews requirespecialized training and skills to provide safe, rapidtransport and advanced clinical care for complexpatients. Utilizing the framework set forth by theAssociation of Air Medical Services (AAMS) tomeet Goal 8.5 of the Florida State EMS StrategicPlan, the Florida chapter of ASTNA recommendsthe following:Initial Requirements for Flight Nurses:1) Graduation from an accredited RegisteredProfessional Nursing Program2) Licensure in the state of base of operations3) Minimum of 3 years critical care and/oremergency nursing experience4) BLS provider (or equivalent)5) ACLS or PALS or NRP provider certification (orequivalent) as appropriate for the programmission6) Air crew curriculum course as approved by theState Bureau of EMSInitial Requirements for Flight Paramedics:1) Completion of a paramedic training programbased upon the US DOT EMT-ParamedicNational Standard Curriculum2) Certification in the state of the base ofoperations3) Minimum of 3 years experience as aparamedic in the prehospital setting4) BLS provider (or equivalent)5) ACLS or PALS or NRP provider certification (orequivalent) as appropriate for the programmission6) Air crew curriculum course as approved by theState Bureau of EMSContinuing Education Requirement for FlightNurses and Paramedics:1) Two hours related to Safety Training2) Two hours related to Flight specific training44