Accreditation or accreditation to practice allows the EMT’s and Paramedic’s to function under an expanded scope of practice allowed by the OCEMS Medical Director while working in Orange County and during official EMS deployments during emergencies. EMTs and Paramedics who work for OCEMS-approved ALS or BLS provider agencies must be locally accredited. OCEMS has developed policies for the guidance of the EMS system providers and individual participants. OCEMS Policy #415.00 describes the requirements to earn and maintain Orange County EMT accreditation. OCEMS Policy # 430.10 describes the requirements to earn and maintain Orange County Paramedic accreditation.

Training in the Orange County BLS expanded scope can be obtained in three different ways. The first is to attend an EMT training program in Orange County that includes the OCEMS EMT expanded scope as part of the initial EMT education or twenty-four (24) hour refresher course. The second way to attend the OCEMS EMT expanded scope of practice course is through the ALS and BLS EMS providers who have been approved to provide the training to their own organization and new hires. The third way to attend an OCEMS EMT expanded scope of practice course is through OCEMS approved EMS Continuing Education provider who has been approved to provide the course to the public as a fee based course.

OCEMS Paramedic accreditation is included as part of the Saddleback College Paramedic training program. For non-Saddleback College Paramedic graduates, the employing OCEMS-approved ALS provider agency can provide the required training to new hire and lateral Paramedics.

An OCEMS-approved ALS or BLS provider agency may employ either a CA licensed Paramedic or CA certified EMT who does not have OCEMS accreditation. However, applying for and earning accreditation is required within 30 days of hire. A State licensed Paramedic or certified EMT who is not employed by an OCEMS approved ALS or BLS provider and has not earned local accreditation is limited to the State EMT scope of practice allowed by regulation and indicated in the left column in OCEMS Policy #315.00 Attachment 1.

OCEMS EMT ACCREDITATION

To be eligible for accreditation to practice in Orange County, the EMT must meet all of the following:

1. Possess a valid, current State of California EMT certificate

2. Not be precluded from accreditation to practice as an EMT for reasons defined in Section 1798.200 of the Health and Safety Code

3. Attend an OCEMS Approved EMT Accreditation course made up of the OCEMS EMT expanded scope of practice

EMTs applying for OCEMS EMT Accreditation must provide the following documentation in person at time of application:

1. Complete and sign an OCEMS application for OCEMS EMT Accreditation

2. A copy of the certificate or proof of completion of an approved OCEMS EMT Expanded Scope of Practice or EMT Accreditation course

3. Provide photo identification (e.g., drivers license, birth certificate, passport or military ID)

4. A copy of applicant’s current CA EMT certification

5. A copy of applicant’s current AHA Healthcare Provider or equivalent CPR certificate

6. Submit payment of OCEMS EMT Accreditation fees. $40 per calendar year

Reference:
OCEMS Policy #415.00: Accreditation to Practice – EMT
OCEMS Policy #315.00: Scope of Practice – OCEMS EMT Accredited
OCEMS Policy #315.00 Attachment II: FIELD REFERENCE GUIDE
OCEMS Policy #470.00: Fees, Certification and Licensing