EMS Preceptor Program
by Alan Perry
10/02/2006
I. Program purpose:
Emergency Medical Service is a demanding profession requiring extensive study and training to obtain the required knowledge and skills needed to successfully treat a wide variety of illnesses and injuries in the field safely and competently. The most dynamic part of the training process is the clinical phase where all of the knowledge gained is put into practice in real situations with real patients. The need exists for a structured program within this department to properly and consistently provide training to EMS providers during field clinicals required for certification and as required to enable them to function as AIC within this Fire Department. The purpose of this program is to provide a clear and consistent method for implementing this program, making all aspects of it clear to all parties involved. The primary participants in the program will be new EMS providers (Interns) and Veteran EMS providers who are qualified and trained specifically for the task of supervising and training these new providers (Preceptors). Preceptors and Interns will work together to obtain the required field training objectives, which will result in State certification and release of the Intern as a well trained and competent EMS provider who can function independently as an AIC.
II. Goals and Objectives:
The goal of this program is to develop within the Fire Department an effective and consistent program which will produce functional and competent EMS providers, and meet state and regional requirements. This will be accomplished by the selection of a core group of providers with the demonstrated skills, knowledge, and experience desired for the task of Precepting EMS Interns. These candidates will receive additional training in the administrative and instructional requirements associated with the program, and further qualify them as EMS Preceptors. As new EMS providers are trained and enter the clinical and field phases of their education and certification process, they shall be assigned a Preceptor. It shall be the responsibility of the Preceptor to observe, coach and educate the Intern as needed so that he/she can function confidently and competently as an AIC.
Overview of process:
1. Develop core group of ALS/BLS providers with desired personal, professional and technical skills to act as Preceptors.
2. Train selected providers in requirements and expectations of field clinical program.
3. Assign Intern a primary Preceptor upon entering clinical phase of training
4. Preceptor reviews materials, requirements, and expectations with Intern
5. Preceptor observes, coaches, and educates Intern in EMS and Operational skills
6. Intern acts upon direction of Preceptor by reviewing materials and skills as needed for successful completion of program
7. Preceptor reviews operational issues with Intern; equipment, maps, hospital locations, chain of command, etc.
8. Preceptor completes objective evaluation of Interns technical skills, knowledge, and 12 core behavioral competence areas for each shift.
9. Preceptor completes monthly evaluation of Intern’s progress, reviews evaluation with Intern, makes suggestions for improvement and facilitates same as needed.
10. Preceptor acts upon any weaknesses or deficiencies of the Intern and provides, or arranges for, intern remediation to include involvement of FMO if required.
11. Upon satisfaction of field internship requirements, Preceptor completes final evaluation and forwards to FMO/FTS
III. Roles, Responsibilities and Definitions of program participants:
- Definitions:
1. Preceptor:
a. Veteran EMS provider currently functioning at or above level of Intern being precepted with at least three years field experience.
b. Desires to keep learning, seeks out new training opportunities, and continually seeks to improve skills and knowledge base.
c. Recommended by FMO with approval of Battalion Chief and EMS Chief.
d. Fire or EMS instructor credentials.
e. Supervisory experience or training.
f. Has completed Department Preceptor program.
2. Intern:
a. New or advancing EMS provider currently enrolled in a state approved EMS course requiring clinical evaluations.
b. Completed approved OSHA course.
c. Current CPR certification.
d. If advancing, currently valid Virginia EMS certification.
- Roles & Responsibilities:
1. Preceptor:
a. Provide a positive learning environment with clear and obtainable objectives.
b. Responsible for patient care
c. Require the Intern to take control of patient and incident to the greatest extent possible commensurate with the knowledge and skills of the Intern.
d. Fairly and objectively evaluate the Interns performance with feedback given following each contact, each shift, and monthly.
e. Provide guidance, instruction and coaching as needed to facilitate Intern’s success.
f. Demonstrate superior patient care, leadership and scene management, thereby teaching by example.
g. Adhere to The Fire Dept. policy & protocol.
h. Adhere to TEMS protocol.
i. Complete all required written evaluations and paperwork associated with clinicals, review with intern, and submit completed forms to appropriate individual coordinating clinicals.
j. Provide additional training opportunities as required to remediate or reinforce skills and knowledge of Intern to include scenarios and practical evolutions.
2. Intern:
a. Maintain a positive attitude and be willing to learn and adapt to any situation presented.
b. Be prepared, study course materials, protocols, SOP’s, and any other material related to the job, or recommended by your Preceptor.
c. Take charge of patient care and maintain scene control to the fullest extent of your abilities and level of training or certification, communicate with preceptor if the situation is beyond your abilities or comfort level.
d. Maintain a professional demeanor, follow instructions of preceptor, other released providers and Officers.
e. Adhere to EMS and Fire dept. protocols and policies at all times.
f. Complete required paperwork and make records available to your Preceptor as needed
g. Verbalize concerns, needs, questions
Preceptor Development Process
I. Process description:
The Fire Department Preceptor
development Process will address a long standing and recognized need by the
department to properly train a core set of EMS providers for the specific task
of precepting EMS Interns within this Department. The first step in this
process is recognition of a problem; that problem is inconsistency and lack of
education and understanding by the EMS providers on our apparatus about the
requirements and objectives of the clinical phase of EMS education, It is also
the mismatching of Providers and Interns; frequently Interns are paired with
excellent Providers who are not trained to, or do not have the inclination or
personality to teach and mentor. The second step is identification and training
of qualified and motivated EMS providers with
superior skills, knowledge, and experience. The final step would be the
formalization and implementation of the program with periodic review and feedback
for each Preceptor. With this program in place a more consistent, reliable, and
practical method will be available for EMS Interns and Preceptors.
II. Selection Process
The responsibility of the EMS preceptor is great; it will require the utmost
attention to patient care and scene control given the added responsibility of
monitoring the actions and safety of an EMS Intern. The task requires an
individual with superior technical skill, leadership, knowledge, and experience
to adequately teach by example. One must possess the gift of teaching and the
ability to work with a wide variety of personality types and recognize which
learning style will work best with each Intern. With this in mind some minimum
requirements must be present; however it will be the responsibility of the
Field Medical Officer to make the recommendation that a provider be placed in
the role of Preceptor. The FMO has the most insight as to the providers
technical abilities, knowledge and interpersonal style, and in conjunction with
the approval of the provider’s Battalion Chief and Chief Medical officer, will
make the recommendation that the individual be placed in this role.
Individuals seeking this appointment should be prepared for the
additional responsibility and scheduling difficulties that will be required of
them, They may be required to spend additional hours on Medic units to
facilitate the training of their Interns, and may be required to ride on
Medics/shifts other than their own.
Minimum Requirements:
- Currently
certified by the state of
- Minimum
three years experience (Senior Paramedic)
- Fire
or
- Superior
Knowledge, Technical, and interpersonal skills.
- Supervisory
experience or training
III. Training:
Once selected, the provider will be
given a hard copy of the The Fire Department Preceptor Manual, and a training
date will be selected. Training will consist of a review of the expectations
and responsibilities’ of the preceptor, familiarization with all associated
forms, a practical workshop with a mock Intern, State, Regional, and Local
Regulations, Standard Operating procedures, and Policies. If necessary this
training can be performed at the monthly preceptor’s meeting. All preceptors
will receive periodic evaluations based on Interns and FMO feedback. If
additional training or review is required it must be done to the satisfaction
of the Providers FMO prior to being assigned any additional Interns.
Core Training Topics:
- The Fire Dept. Preceptor Manual
- The Fire Dept. Policies & SOP’s
- Regional Clinical & Field requirements
- Forms and Documents
- Conflict resolution
- Adult education
IV. Implementation:
After training has been completed the
Preceptor will be assigned an Intern. Every effort will be made to assure that
the Intern and Preceptor will be assigned to the same Medic/Shift, this may
require that the preceptor be assigned several medic shifts in succession, be
assigned to a Medic/Shift other than their own, or split their shift. The
ultimate goal is that the Intern be permitted to develop and practice their
skills in a consistent, predictable environment that mirrors the expectations
placed on them in the field as an AIC. Upon successful completion of
internship, Preceptor will meet with FMO and present recommendation that their
Intern be given AIC status with documentation supporting their recommendation.
V. Re-assignment
It is expected that not all personality
types will be compatible in the learning environment, and other situations may
present themselves that require reassignment of the Preceptor and Intern. If
any unresolved conflict arises such as schedule conflicts, illness, injury,
failure to progress, etc. The Intern or Preceptor may be reassigned after
meeting with their FMO and attempting to resolve the issue. In all cases it
will be the responsibility of the Preceptor to pass on all pertinent
information and paperwork to the Interns new Preceptor or the FMO whichever is
appropriate.
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