R4011 BLS Precept Program

Purpose

To provide a standardized program to train entry-level Emergency Medical Technician and newly accepted Emergency Medical Technician personnel to perform under the Peninsulas EMS Council protocol and within the excepted standards of Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, Inc.

Procedure

Download the BLS Precept package.

All new members with EMS certification that desire to practice as an attendant-in-charge must complete the program; all members that obtain EMS certification must complete the program before being allowed to function as attendant-in-charge. Current members are exempt from this program only for their current certification level at time of program implementation.

  1. There is no established time limit for completion of the program; it is designed to be completed at the pace of the new/entry-level member.
  2. The EMS Training Officer manages the program; it shall be the responsibility of the new/entry-level member to communicate with their EMS Line Officer or Squad Sergeant to obtain information about the program.
  3. The member participating in the Precept Program is responsible for maintaining the programs documentation and submitting the completed package upon program completion.
  4. The precept period is independent of the probationary period for new members into Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Inc.
  5. The program shall evaluate the new/entry-level member’s cognitive, affective and psychomotor proficiency. In addition to evaluation of skills, the program shall also evaluate interpersonal communication skills, ability to work effectively within a team, empathy and compassion, acceptance of feedback and other essential skills that may not be specifically described within this document but deemed to be necessary and essential qualities of an attendant-in-charge.
  6. The program is divided into four parts:
    • Administrative
    • Operational
    • Clinical (which is divided into 2 Phases)
      • Assisted Phase: Preceptee is to complete Administrative, Operational, and participate in at least 5 documented calls.
      • Independent Phase: Preceptee will function independently and without any intervention from the preceptor for at least 10 documented transported calls. There must be at least two (2) different preceptors for this phase.
    • Summative (Evaluation with EMS Training Officer)
      • PEMS Protocol Test
      • Red Dot Verification
      • Cardiac Arrest Scenario
  7. Preceptors: A list of preceptors is maintained by the EMS Training Officer after having completed the prescribed requirements. Preceptors must maintain certification level equal to or higher than the provider being precepted.
  8. Responsibility: It will be the responsibility of the EMS Training Officer to manage the Basic Life Support Precept Program.
  9. Completion: Upon the completion of the Basic Life Support Precept Program, the package will be forwarded to the appropriate EMS Training Officer. The EMS Training Officer will review the document and present it to the EMS Line Officers. It will be the decision of the EMS Line Officers to approve the provider’s completion of the program. The decision to release a provider to function as attendant-in-charge shall be handled individually and based upon the provider’s total ability to function effectively in the role of team leader. Any provider not approved by the EMS Line Officers will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
  10. Providers released in other jurisdictions: Providers who are authorized to practice in another PEMS EMS agency may provide a letter stating such, on agency letterhead, from their other EMS agency. Upon receipt of the authorization to practice letter, the precepting provider will receive credit for 5 AIC calls and will be required to complete Administrative and Operational tasks, and complete 5 AIC calls prior to being authorized to practice independently with GVFRS. The Assistant Chief, EMS shall have the authority to accept or reject any such letter of authorization.

Change Log:

June 1, 2024 – Published to website

January 1, 2023 – Updated

April 15, 2002 – original