I was asked by a member that is currently enrolled in regional "gap" training (the difference between the EMT and PCP programs as identified by Manitoba Health) whether or not this education is accredited by the CMA. The simple answer...no. Although the Technician-Paramedic license is measured against the PCP competency profile, unless you complete an accredited full PCP or PCP bridging course, the fact that you are a Tech-P does not mean your education is accredited by the Canadian Medical Association.
I'm assuming that the reason some individuals are asking the question about accreditation is related to potential for employment in other EMS services (such as Winnipeg) or inter-provincial reciprocity. Two very different scenarios, as one relates to employment requirements and the other to recognition of qualifications in another jurisdiction.
In the case of employment requirements, such as applying to Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, the employer has every right to set minimum hiring standards. Winnipeg will not currently employ anyone who has not completed CMA accredited EMS education. So the reality is that a Technician-Paramedic in Manitoba that obtained their license by completing "gap" training will not be considered for employment. As I mentioned earlier, the "gap"training is not CMA accredited.
But inter-provincial reciprocity can be looked at somewhat differently. Most provinces have signed a document entitled Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for Paramedics (available on the PAC web site...Agreement on Internal Trade pdf) Simply put, this agreement ensures that a paramedic authorized to practice in one Canadian jurisdiction will have his or her qualifications recognized in another jurisdiction. The scale used to measure these occupational qualifications is based on the NOCP. Because Manitoba has indicated that the Technician-Paramedic license they issue is based on the PCP competency profile, other Canadian jurisdictions should now recognize our Tech-P license as equivalent to PCP practice qualification. According to the MRA, your qualifications as a PCP should be recognized and only differences in occupational requirements (regional and local differences) should be tested by the regulator. This still does not, however, preclude other regulators or employers in other provinces from setting minimum requirements which may include completion of CMA accredited education.
All this said, it should be mentioned that the Paramedic Association of Manitoba supports the concept of CMA accreditation in EMS education. Accreditation is public recognition that an educational program has met national standards. The goal of CMA accreditation is to ensure that programs enable students to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to function as competent health practitioners for the benefit of all Canadians. As an organization committed to achieving excellence in pre-hospital emergency care and our profession, it's important that we promote and expect accreditation of our EMS educational programs.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Ontario Paramedic Line of Duty Death
A fifth Canadian paramedic has been killed in the line of duty since May of last year. Paul W. Patterson, a Primary Care Paramedic with Sun Parlour Emergency Services in Chatham, Ontario, died while responding to a motor vehicle collision on Sunday, February 25th. Paul was only 30 years old, and had graduated from Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology in 2001. Details regarding funeral arrangements and the accident that claimed Paul's life can be found on the Ontario Paramedic Association (OPA) web site.
Paul's death is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by emergency medical services providers each and every day in our work to save the lives of others. Like all emergency services, we're often asked to assist others in times of poor weather and difficult conditions. It's especially difficult for those who knew and worked with Paul to have had to respond to the accident that claimed his life, and my thoughts are prayers are with those individuals as well as his family and friends.
The Paramedic Association of Manitoba has sent condolences to Sun Parlour EMS staff and management, and asked them to convey our sympathies to Paul's family. We will be represented at the line of duty death funeral planned for Friday, March 2nd in Strathroy, Ontario. Anyone planning to attend the funeral is asked to notify the OPA by email...that information can be found following the LODD notice on their web site.
PAM asks that paramedics wear LODD pins or black ribbons on their uniform in honor of Paul's memory. EMS services should also lower flags to half mast until the funeral has been held.
Details regarding the Canadian paramedic line of duty deaths that have occurred in the past year can be found in the press release issued by the Paramedic Association of Manitoba posted on our web site.
Stay safe everyone!
Paul's death is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by emergency medical services providers each and every day in our work to save the lives of others. Like all emergency services, we're often asked to assist others in times of poor weather and difficult conditions. It's especially difficult for those who knew and worked with Paul to have had to respond to the accident that claimed his life, and my thoughts are prayers are with those individuals as well as his family and friends.
The Paramedic Association of Manitoba has sent condolences to Sun Parlour EMS staff and management, and asked them to convey our sympathies to Paul's family. We will be represented at the line of duty death funeral planned for Friday, March 2nd in Strathroy, Ontario. Anyone planning to attend the funeral is asked to notify the OPA by email...that information can be found following the LODD notice on their web site.
PAM asks that paramedics wear LODD pins or black ribbons on their uniform in honor of Paul's memory. EMS services should also lower flags to half mast until the funeral has been held.
Details regarding the Canadian paramedic line of duty deaths that have occurred in the past year can be found in the press release issued by the Paramedic Association of Manitoba posted on our web site.
Stay safe everyone!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Province Funds New EMS Station
Earlier this week Premier Gary Doer announced funding to build and staff a new EMS facility within the Interlake Region. The absence of an ambulance in the areas of East and West St Paul have been a consistent topic of debate in the legislature's Question Period since the death of a prominent area resident nearly two years ago.
I was invited by Health Minister Theresa Oswald to attend this announcement. I took advantage of the invitation and used the opportunity to meet very briefly with the Premier...something we've been trying to make happen for almost two years now. As an aside to the funding story, I was assured by Premier Doer that he would like to meet formally with us in the coming weeks.
The funding announced to build and operate this new EMS facility is quite substantial. The capital cost approved for erecting the station is close to $300,000.00, which by Manitoba Health standards should result in a two bay garage with modest living accommodations for staff. The promise to cover operating expenses at an annual cost of approximately $525,000.00 equates to 24-hour full time staffing of one ambulance. While the province has built a number of new EMS facilities over the course of the past 7 years, most have been replacement buildings. To my knowledge this is only the second "new" location adding to existing resources (Kinnesota Trails being the other). On the surface...a "good news" story for Manitoba EMS.
But in my mind this announcement also sounds a number of warning bells. Premier Doer suggested that lengthy response times (20 - 25 minutes) in the southern portion of the Interlake Region at least in part prompted this decision. It's a dangerous statement to make in light of the fact that Manitoba has yet to develop any response standards against which to measure our performance. While this announcement certainly acknowledges the need for system improvements, it does so by once again reacting to a very specific problem without addressing current system inconsistencies and inefficiencies that exist province-wide. And I dare say that staffing of this facility will be another interesting problem. Without exception all regions are teetering on the brink of experiencing paramedic shortages, compounded by the fact that the province is dragging it's heals on the funding approval needed for Red River College to have any chance of being ready to deliver PCP education this fall.
There's no doubt that the NDP government has made significant investments in our EMS system since first elected in 1999. Introduction of a Fleet vehicle program, a much improved communications system, development of the MTCC, substantial increases in regional funding to offset staffing costs, elimination of the interfacility-transfer cost to patients and announcements such as this new facility in the Interlake are all welcome indeed. But what has yet to be adopted by this government is a concrete plan that will improve Manitoba's emergency medical services system as a whole and ensure it's sustainability going into the future. Without that I fear we may simply be throwing more good money after bad.
I was invited by Health Minister Theresa Oswald to attend this announcement. I took advantage of the invitation and used the opportunity to meet very briefly with the Premier...something we've been trying to make happen for almost two years now. As an aside to the funding story, I was assured by Premier Doer that he would like to meet formally with us in the coming weeks.
The funding announced to build and operate this new EMS facility is quite substantial. The capital cost approved for erecting the station is close to $300,000.00, which by Manitoba Health standards should result in a two bay garage with modest living accommodations for staff. The promise to cover operating expenses at an annual cost of approximately $525,000.00 equates to 24-hour full time staffing of one ambulance. While the province has built a number of new EMS facilities over the course of the past 7 years, most have been replacement buildings. To my knowledge this is only the second "new" location adding to existing resources (Kinnesota Trails being the other). On the surface...a "good news" story for Manitoba EMS.
But in my mind this announcement also sounds a number of warning bells. Premier Doer suggested that lengthy response times (20 - 25 minutes) in the southern portion of the Interlake Region at least in part prompted this decision. It's a dangerous statement to make in light of the fact that Manitoba has yet to develop any response standards against which to measure our performance. While this announcement certainly acknowledges the need for system improvements, it does so by once again reacting to a very specific problem without addressing current system inconsistencies and inefficiencies that exist province-wide. And I dare say that staffing of this facility will be another interesting problem. Without exception all regions are teetering on the brink of experiencing paramedic shortages, compounded by the fact that the province is dragging it's heals on the funding approval needed for Red River College to have any chance of being ready to deliver PCP education this fall.
There's no doubt that the NDP government has made significant investments in our EMS system since first elected in 1999. Introduction of a Fleet vehicle program, a much improved communications system, development of the MTCC, substantial increases in regional funding to offset staffing costs, elimination of the interfacility-transfer cost to patients and announcements such as this new facility in the Interlake are all welcome indeed. But what has yet to be adopted by this government is a concrete plan that will improve Manitoba's emergency medical services system as a whole and ensure it's sustainability going into the future. Without that I fear we may simply be throwing more good money after bad.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Black Ribbon Protocol
Questions often arise regarding the wearing of commemorative black ribbons at funerals or memorial services. The Paramedic Association of Canada has developed a protocol to assist EMS personnel in these instances.
Black ribbons are appropriately worn at any function associated with the death of emergency services personnel, including funerals, memorial and remembrance services and dedications.
Commemorative black ribbons can be made using plain, non-glossy straight edged black ribbon cloth. The ribbon should be cut approximately 1/2" wide by 4" in length, folded over itself and secured with a small gold safety pin. The ribbon ends are then cut on an angle with the tails splayed out as shown here. The ribbon should be worn on the left pocket flap of a uniform shirt, jacket or dress tunic above and to the right of the button, attached with an appropriate pin (straight pin, EMS pin or Canadian flag).
PAC Line of Duty death pins are not bona fide medals, and therefore should NOT be worn on the left side. They are to be worn on a uniform shirt, jacket or dress tunic, and should be placed on the right hand pocket pleat immediately below the pocket flap.
Name tags, if worn, should be placed above the right hand pocket flap of the shirt, jacket or tunic.
Black ribbons are appropriately worn at any function associated with the death of emergency services personnel, including funerals, memorial and remembrance services and dedications.
Commemorative black ribbons can be made using plain, non-glossy straight edged black ribbon cloth. The ribbon should be cut approximately 1/2" wide by 4" in length, folded over itself and secured with a small gold safety pin. The ribbon ends are then cut on an angle with the tails splayed out as shown here. The ribbon should be worn on the left pocket flap of a uniform shirt, jacket or dress tunic above and to the right of the button, attached with an appropriate pin (straight pin, EMS pin or Canadian flag).
PAC Line of Duty death pins are not bona fide medals, and therefore should NOT be worn on the left side. They are to be worn on a uniform shirt, jacket or dress tunic, and should be placed on the right hand pocket pleat immediately below the pocket flap.Name tags, if worn, should be placed above the right hand pocket flap of the shirt, jacket or tunic.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Tragic LODD in Winnipeg
By now everyone has heard or read about the deaths of two Winnipeg firefighters killed battling a house blaze in Winnipeg on Sunday, February 4. These line of duty fire deaths are the first in the city since 1990. Four other firefighters were also injured and taken to hospital. This tragedy will affect not only the families of the two deceased Captains, but obviously all members and staff of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.Immediately upon hearing news of this tragic event I contacted WFPS Chief Jim Brennan and UFFW President Alex Forrest to convey condolences on behalf of the Executive and membership of the Paramedic Association of Manitoba. Letters of condolence were sent to these organizations, as well as to the unions representing paramedics in the City (PPAW and WFPSOA). This is a tragedy that will impact on all Winnipeg emergency services personnel and many others within the fire and EMS community.
It is my understanding that a full honours ceremony will be held to pay tribute to these brave men, and the Paramedic Association of Manitoba will certainly be in attendance.
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved and affected by this horrific event. May these very brave souls rest in peace!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
NDP Convention "Debate" Alarming
I attended the NDP Convention today as a non party-member observer. Health resolutions were on the agenda for discussion this morning, and I had hoped to see rank and file delegates send a message to their brass about much needed improvements in our EMS system as well as giving them the thumbs up on self-regulation for paramedics. Unfortunately neither occurred...but that's not what alarmed me the most.
The morning began with convention delegates re-prioritizing the resolutions to be presented in the very short one hour and fifteen minutes scheduled for debating health issues. As a result, neither of the resolutions I had hoped might be given consideration even reached the floor for discussion. Surprisingly (to me at least) the one EMS related issue that was discussed...and approved...related to fees for basic ambulance service. Delegates at the convention overwhelmingly supported a resolution stating "that all ambulance calls be paid for by Manitoba Health as an essential service." As I said, I was surprised, but still not alarmed.
Union members of the International Association of Firefighters representing Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson were in attendance at the weekend convention. In discussions with other convention delegates, they expressed concern about many of the EMS related resolutions. And when asked, they clearly indicated that they would be speaking and voting against the resolution supporting paramedic self-regulation. When I heard about their position on this issue, I admit I was somewhat surprised. But I expected that once the attributes of professional self-regulation were fully understood, their position might change. After all, this is about protecting the public's best interests.
What alarmed me most was the "debate" that ensued between myself and many of the IAFF members present. Without doubt there are still many questions that need answering about what self-regulation for paramedics in Manitoba might look like, and all stakeholders deserve to be consulted as that picture unfolds. Educational standards, licensing, scope of practice, ethics, disciplinary process and competency maintenance are all areas that need to be addressed to ensure our patients receive appropriate treatment and protection. As paramedics, these are professional responsibilities we can't take likely, regardless of the type of EMS system we work in.
But at first glance the IAFF seems prepared to ignore these professional responsibilities. Those that were present at the NDP convention seemed more concerned about having to pay a fee for licensing. Union executive clearly articulated the need to protect their members outweighed any responsibility to protecting the public. There was even the suggestion that a Government regulator might be "better for their members" than a peer driven professional regulatory body.
I appreciate the fact that unions have an obligation to protect their membership in areas related to labour relations. But as paramedics and health professionals, we have a responsibility to protect those we treat and care for each and every day. That responsibility should be first and foremost for all paramedics, regardless of where they work or the union they belong to. To think that may not always be the case...that alarms me.
The morning began with convention delegates re-prioritizing the resolutions to be presented in the very short one hour and fifteen minutes scheduled for debating health issues. As a result, neither of the resolutions I had hoped might be given consideration even reached the floor for discussion. Surprisingly (to me at least) the one EMS related issue that was discussed...and approved...related to fees for basic ambulance service. Delegates at the convention overwhelmingly supported a resolution stating "that all ambulance calls be paid for by Manitoba Health as an essential service." As I said, I was surprised, but still not alarmed.
Union members of the International Association of Firefighters representing Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson were in attendance at the weekend convention. In discussions with other convention delegates, they expressed concern about many of the EMS related resolutions. And when asked, they clearly indicated that they would be speaking and voting against the resolution supporting paramedic self-regulation. When I heard about their position on this issue, I admit I was somewhat surprised. But I expected that once the attributes of professional self-regulation were fully understood, their position might change. After all, this is about protecting the public's best interests.
What alarmed me most was the "debate" that ensued between myself and many of the IAFF members present. Without doubt there are still many questions that need answering about what self-regulation for paramedics in Manitoba might look like, and all stakeholders deserve to be consulted as that picture unfolds. Educational standards, licensing, scope of practice, ethics, disciplinary process and competency maintenance are all areas that need to be addressed to ensure our patients receive appropriate treatment and protection. As paramedics, these are professional responsibilities we can't take likely, regardless of the type of EMS system we work in.
But at first glance the IAFF seems prepared to ignore these professional responsibilities. Those that were present at the NDP convention seemed more concerned about having to pay a fee for licensing. Union executive clearly articulated the need to protect their members outweighed any responsibility to protecting the public. There was even the suggestion that a Government regulator might be "better for their members" than a peer driven professional regulatory body.
I appreciate the fact that unions have an obligation to protect their membership in areas related to labour relations. But as paramedics and health professionals, we have a responsibility to protect those we treat and care for each and every day. That responsibility should be first and foremost for all paramedics, regardless of where they work or the union they belong to. To think that may not always be the case...that alarms me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)