NORTH COAST EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Policy 4405

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Subject: Manpower/Training

Early Defibrillation Certification

I. Authority and Reference (incorporated herein by reference)

A. Division 2.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

B. Title 22, Code of Regulation, Chapters 1.5 and 2 of Division 9.

C. North Coast Emergency Medical Services Policies and Procedures.

II. Purpose

To establish regional policy and procedure for certification of

individuals qualified to perform automatic defibrillation.

III. Scope

For the purposes of this policy, "Early Defibrillation Certification"

encompasses optional skill certification and accreditation activities,

pursuant to Sections 100021 and 100064 of the California Code of

Regulations, to include certified EMT-I, First Responder, and First Aid

prehospital personnel, certified or accredited to perform automatic

defibrillation. This policy addresses certification, recertification,

and challenge certification.

IV. Certification

A. General eligibility criteria:

1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of

application.

2. Documented training in first aid and CPR within the past two (2)

years which, at a minimum, meets the requirements of Title 22,

Code of Regulations, Section 100020; or, a current North Coast

EMS-approved First Responder Instructor or a current EMT-I and

a current CPR certificate.

3. Documented successful completion of a North Coast EMS-approved

Early Defibrillation Course, and achieve a score of 80% or

higher on the course's Final Skills Examination.

4. Achieve a score of 80% or higher on the North Coast EMS Written

Certification Examination.

5. Submit a completed North Coast EMS Early Defibrillation

Certification Application. Completion includes, but is not

limited to, sponsorship by a North Coast EMS-approved Automatic

Defibrillation Service Provider.

6. Submit payment of the certification fee.

7. The application, fee payment, and all documentation must be

received by the North Coast EMS office within six (6) months of

completion of Early Defibrillation Course.

B. Determination of an applicant's course completion, including the

course final skills examination, is the responsibility of the

Training Program.

C. The effective date of certification will be the date that all

certification requirements are met.

NORTH COAST EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Policy 4405

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Page 2 of 3

Subject: Manpower/Training

Early Defibrillation Certification

V. Recertification

General eligibility criteria:

A. Possess a current and valid EMT-I, First Responder, or First Aid

Certificate, and a current CPR Certificate, or, maintain current CPR

certification and current approval as a North Coast EMS-approved

First Responder Instructor.

B. Possess a current and valid Early Defibrillation Certificate.

C. Achieve a passing score of 80% or higher on the North Coast

EMS Written Recertification Examination.

D. Submit a completed North Coast EMS Early Defibrillation

Certification Application. Completion includes, but is not limited

to, sponsorship by a North Coast EMS-approved Automatic

Defibrillation Service Provider.

E. Submit documentation of compliance with the Skills Proficiency

Demonstration Policy and Procedure for the preceding period of

certification.

F. Submit payment of a recertification fee.

G. The application, fee payment, and all documentation must be

received by the North Coast EMS office within six (6) months of

successful completion of the North Coast EMS written recertification

examination, or before current certification expires, whichever

comes first.

H. The effective date of recertification will be the expiration date of

the previous certification card (if that date is no more than six

(6) months in the future), or the date that all recertification

requirements are met, whichever is the latter date.

VI. If the applicant fails the written certification or recertification

examination, he/she has an opportunity to re-test one time. Second

exams are offered by North Coast EMS on a preregistration basis only.

An additional testing fee is due before the second test will be

administered. If the applicant fails the written certification or

recertification exam a second time, applicant must again successfully

pass a North Coast EMS-Approved Early Defibrillation Course.

NORTH COAST EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Policy 4405

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Page 3 of 3

Subject: Manpower/Training

Early Defibrillation Certification

VII. Challenge Accreditation

A. An individual shall be eligible to challenge requirements for

completion of a North Coast EMS-approved Early Defibrillator

Training Course if he/she provides documentation of successful

completion of Early Defibrillation training within the past two (2)

years, which is equivalent to or exceeds the training requirements

of a North Coast EMS-approved Early Defibrillation course.

Determination of training equivalency shall be determined solely by

North Coast EMS.

B. Applicant must meet all the eligibility and application requirements

for accreditation as described herein, except for local course

completion requirements, including passing the written and skills

certification examinations with an 80% or higher.

Approved: Date:

Approved As to Form: Date: