Transition in Testing for Washington State EMS Personnel

1. Transition in Testing for Washington State EMS Personnel

2. Goals for Today: • Understand Why the Transition • Historical Perspective • Success Strategies • Test Sites • SEI & Student Responsibilities • Project Next Steps

3. Test Transition-Why?

4. Criteria of a Reliable Examination • Must be Valid • Must be Accurate and Fairly Assess Candidate’s Knowledge • Must be Secure • Must be Defensible

5. Historical (pre-2010) Practice for Providing Initial Certification Exams in Washington State: First Responder: Exam developed by Department of Health EMT-Basic: Exam developed by Department of Health EMT-Intermediate: Exam developed by Department of Health Paramedic: Exam developed and administered by the National Registry of EMT’s (NREMT)

6. Challenges with Past Testing Process • Remaining consistent with EMS Standards and Best Practice • Exam Security • Validation of Exam Questions • Update to Reflect most recent EMS Scope and Educational Standards • Inconsistent and increasing costs to the candidate (range from $0 to $45 per person)

7. Process Involved in Test Development Time Intense and Costly • Develop and Write Exam Questions (Educators and State staff) • Validation of Exam Questions (through contract with UW Psychomatrician) • Constructing multiple Exams • Coordinate Distribution and Tracking of Exams • Ensuring Exam Security • Ongoing Updates of Exams

8. Educational Strategies that Promote Success… • Accept highly motivated students. • Assure Program Support • Use periodic assessments throughout the course • Develop standardized lesson plans

9. Educational Strategies that Promote Success… • Have a passing standard that is above minimum competency level • Hire qualified/certified instructors • Maintain effective communication among instructors • Instructional consistency

10. Educational Strategies that Promote Success… • Provide clearly defined and communicated objectives • Provide immediate feedback to students on periodic evaluations. • Require Pre-requisites • Teach Test taking skills

11. Current NREMT Test Exam Sites Yakima Renton Seattle (Northgate) Centralia Port Angeles Pasco Bellingham Spokane Valley Portland area (Beaverton, Oregon) The Dalles, Oregon Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Lewiston, Idaho

12. NREMT Test Exam Sites • More Work to be Done: • Identify Additional Test Sites • Monitor Current Test Site Status • Build Capacity • Anticipate Changes in Current Status

13. NREMT Testing Fees • First Responder: $65 per candidate • EMT-Basic: $70 per candidate • Paramedic: $110 per candidate

14. SEI/Program Responsibilities Verify when students have completed EMS Course (Practical Skills and end of course test). Register program with NREMT Verify Completion of Psychomotor (practical skills) exam for each student Encourage Students to Register for Exam 3-4 weeks out.

15. EMS Student Responsibilities Students Register for Exam 3-4 weeks out. Go to NREMT website and create their own account. Create a new application on NREMT website Once approved by SEI/Program Director, Print ATT Letter Schedule the Exam Take the Exam and Obtain results within 24 hours.

16. Certification & Renewal Exam Table • * NREMT certification examinations results are valid for one year (18 months). • ** Applicant at each certification level must complete following NREMT examination: • Certification examination if they have never been Nationally Registered. • Assessment examination if they are currently Nationally Registered and it has been more than 18 months since their certification examination. • Assessment examination if they have previously been Nationally Registered, but no longer have a valid NREMT credential and are certified by another state. • Practical Skills Examinations: • BLS level practical skills examinations approved by Washington State are accepted by the NREMT. EMT-Intermediate/Advanced EMT and Paramedic practical skill examinations are conducted using examinations provided by the NREMT and administered by the Department.

17. Certification & Renewal Exam Table • * NREMT certification examinations results are valid for one year (12 months). • ** Applicant at each certification level must complete following NREMT examination: • Certification examination if they have never been Nationally Registered. • Assessment examination if they are currently Nationally Registered and it has been more than 12 months since their certification examination. • Assessment examination if they have previously been Nationally Registered, but no longer have a valid NREMT credential and are certified by another state. • Practical Skills Examinations: • BLS level practical skills examinations approved by Washington State are accepted by the NREMT. EMT-Intermediate/Advanced EMT and Paramedic practical skill examinations are conducted using examinations provided by the NREMT and administered by the Department.

18. Current WA State Performance on NREMT Testing • Currently, 57 EMS Training Programs in WA Registered with NREMT. Results: • In 2009, 486 People sat for NREMT, EMT Exam • 412 (85%) Passed and received certification

19. Benefits to Using NREMT Exam • NREMT develops questions and exam • NREMT Validates exam • NREMT Exam provides Fair Evaluation of Knowledge • NREMT Exam is Defensible • NREMT Ensures Consistency with Current Practice • NREMT Provides Test Security • Passing NREMT Exam provides candidate with recognition in other states • NREMT Exam is NCCA Accredited

20. Next Steps • Identify Additional Testing Sites • Continue work on an SEI Toolbox • Transition from National DOT Curriculum to New Educational Standards • Monitor Performance of Students • Quality Improvement/Assurance Activities • Provide Technical Assistance PRN

21. Questions?