Rule 511-9-2-.02 - DefinitionsThe following definitions shall apply in the interpretation of these standards:
(a) "Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification" means successful completion of a course recognized by the Department which utilizes nationally recognized advanced cardiac care standards.(b) "Advanced Emergency Medical Technician" or "AEMT" means a person who has been licensed by the Department after having successfully attained certification by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT).(c) "Advanced Life Support (ALS)" means the assessment, and if necessary, treatment or transportation by ambulance, utilizing medically necessary supplies and equipment provided by at least one individual licensed above the level of Emergency Medical Technician.(d) "Advanced Tactical Practitioner (ATP)" means a certification issued by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Medic Certification Program.(e) "Air Ambulance" means a rotary-wing aircraft registered by the Department that is specially constructed and equipped and is intended to be used for air medical emergency transportation of patients.(f) "Air Ambulance Service" means an agency or company operating under a valid license from the Department that uses Air Ambulances to provide Ambulance Service.(g) "Ambulance Service" means the provision of emergency care and transportation for a wounded, injured, sick, invalid, or incapacitated human being to or from a place where medical care is furnished; or an entity licensed to provide such services.(h) "Approved" means acceptable to the Department based on its determination as to conformance with existing standards.(i) "Authorized Agent" means a person with the legal authority to sign on behalf of the legal owner of a business entity.(j) "Base of Operations" means the primary location at which administration of the EMS Agency or EMS Initial Education Program occurs and where records are maintained. All licensed EMS Agencies and designated EMS Initial Education Programs must designate one Base of Operations location within the State of Georgia.(k) "Basic Life Support (BLS)" means treatment or transportation by Ground Ambulance vehicle or treatment with medically necessary supplies and services involving non-invasive life support measures.(l) "Board" means the Board of Public Health.(m) "Cardiac Technician" means a person who has been licensed by the Department after having successfully completed an approved Cardiac Technician certification exam, or licensed by the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners, now known as the Georgia Composite Medical Board, prior to January 1, 2002. This is a historical reference only, as no new Cardiac Technician licenses will be issued.(n) "Charge" means a formal claim of criminal wrongdoing brought by a law enforcement official or prosecutor against an individual, whether by arrest warrant, information, accusation, or indictment.(o) "CLIA" means the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (42 USC 263a) and regulations (42 CFR 493) which specifies the federal standards applicable to all U.S. facilities or sites that test human specimens for health assessment or to diagnose, prevent, or treat disease.(p) "Clinical Preceptor" means a licensed Emergency Medical Technician - Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate, Cardiac Technician, Paramedic, IV team member, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, physician's assistant, allied health professional or physician who meets the requirements for preceptors as established by the Department.(q) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health.(r) "Communication Protocols" means guidelines that specify which emergency interventions require direct voice order from medical control in the rendering of prehospital emergency medical care to a patient and may include other guidelines relative to communication between Medics and medical control.(s) "CPR Certification" means successful completion of a healthcare provider course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation which is recognized by the Department.(t) "Department" means the Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma.(u) "Designated 911 Zone Provider" means an EMS Agency providing Ground Ambulance service and operating under a valid Ground Ambulance license issued by the Department, which is granted a specific geographical territory or Emergency Response Zone to provide emergency transport services following a Public Call in compliance with the Regional Ambulance Zoning Plan for the respective EMS Region.(v) "Emergency" means a request for a non-planned response or an urgent need for the protection of life, health, or safety, as perceived by a prudent layperson.(w) "Emergency Medical Services" or "Emergency Medical Services System" or "EMS" or "EMS System" means the integrated system of medical response established and designed to respond, assess, treat, and facilitate the disposition of victims of acute injury or illness and those in need of medically safe transportation. EMS also includes medical response provided in hazardous environments, rescue situations, disasters and mass casualties, mass gathering events, as well as interfacility transfer of patients and participation in community health activities.(x) "Emergency Medical Services Agency" or "EMS Agency" means an Air Ambulance Service, Ground Ambulance Service, Medical First Responder Service, or Neonatal Transport Service licensed by the Department.(y) "Emergency Medical Service Advisory Council" or "EMSAC" means an advisory council that provides advice to the Department in matters essential to its operations with respect to Emergency Medical Services.(z) "Emergency Medical Services Medical Director" or "EMS Medical Director" or "Medical Director" means a physician licensed to practice in this state who provides medical direction to an EMS Agency licensed by the Department or an EMS Initial Education Program designated by the Department.(aa) "Emergency Medical Services Medical Directors Advisory Council" or "EMSMDAC" means an advisory council that provides advice to the Department on issues essential to medical direction of the EMS system.(bb) "Emergency Medical Services Personnel" or "EMS Personnel" means any Emergency Medical Technician - Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Cardiac Technician, or Paramedic licensed by the Department.(cc) "Emergency Medical Service Region" or "EMS Region" means a geographic area identified by the Department for the purpose of administratively sub-dividing the Emergency Medical Services system in this state. Each EMS Region shall be comprised of counties from one or more health districts established by the Department.(dd) "Emergency Medical Technician" or "EMT" means a person who has been licensed by the Department after being certified by National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).(ee) "Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate" or "EMT-I" means a person who has been licensed by the Department after being certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) as an Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate (EMT-I) prior to March 31, 2013, or licensed by the former Georgia Department of Human Resources as an EMT prior to January 1, 2002. This is a historical reference only, as no new Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate licenses will be issued.(ff) "Emergency Medical Technician - Responder" or "EMT-R" means a person who has been licensed by the Department after being certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR).(gg) "Emergency Response Zone" or "ERZ" means a geographical territory identified by the Department within each EMS Region for the purposes of providing emergency medical transport services by designated Ground Ambulance Services following a Public Call.(hh) "EMS Initial Education Program" means an instructional program of Department-approved EMS initial education courses at the EMR, EMT, AEMT, and/or Paramedic levels.(ii) "EMS Initial Education Program Sponsor" or "Sponsor" means a Georgia licensed EMS Agency or Fire Department; accredited hospital, clinic, or medical center; accredited educational institution, or other Department approved entity that has accepted responsibility for the operation of an EMS Initial Education Program.(jj) "EMS Instructor" means an individual who is qualified to teach EMS continuing education courses, community education programs, and who is licensed to coordinate or serve as the lead instructor of National Continued Competency Requirement (NCCR) courses as specified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), and who is further licensed to coordinate or serve as the lead instructor of an EMR initial education course approved by the Department.(kk) "EMS Instructor/Coordinator (AEMT)" or "EMS I/C (A)" means an individual who meets all requirements for licensure as an EMS Instructor and who is further qualified and licensed to coordinate or serve as the lead instructor of an initial EMR, EMT, or AEMT course approved by the Department.(ll) "EMS Instructor/Coordinator (EMT)" or "EMS I/C (E)" means an individual who meets all requirements for licensure as an EMS Instructor and who is further qualified and licensed to coordinate or serve as the lead instructor of an initial EMR or EMT course approved by the Department.(mm) "EMS Instructor/Coordinator (Paramedic)" or "EMS I/C (P)" means an individual who meets all requirements for licensure as an EMS Instructor and who is further qualified and licensed to coordinate or serve as the lead instructor of an initial EMR, EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic course approved by the Department.(nn) "EMS Instructor with Paramedic Endorsement" or "EMS Instructor (Paramedic)" means an individual who was previously licensed by the Department as a Level III EMS Instructor; who does not hold an associate degree or higher, but who otherwise meets all requirements for licensure as an EMS Instructor/Coordinator (Paramedic); and who is qualified and licensed to coordinate or serve as the lead instructor of an initial EMR, EMT, or AEMT course approved by the Department and to serve as an instructor in an initial Paramedic course approved by the Department. This is a historical reference only, as no new EMS Instructor with Paramedic Endorsement licenses will be issued.(oo) "Good Standing" as used in this rule refers to a license that is not lapsed, is unrestricted, not on probation or suspension, is not currently under investigation, has no pending actions against it, and has had no adverse action taken against it that is still in effect.(pp) "Ground Ambulance" means a motor vehicle registered by the Department that is specially constructed and equipped and is intended to be used for emergency transportation of patients.(qq) "Ground Ambulance Service" means an agency or company operating under a valid license from the Department that uses Ground Ambulances to provide Ambulance Service.(rr) "Health District" means a geographical district designated by the Department of Public Health pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 31-3-15.(ss) "Invalid Car" means a non-emergency transport vehicle used only to transport persons who are convalescent or otherwise non-ambulatory, and do not require medical care during transport.(tt) "License (Agency)" means a license issued to a Medical First Responder Service or to a Ground Ambulance Service, Air Ambulance Service or Neonatal Transport Service which signifies that the agency's facilities, vehicles, personnel, and operations comply with Title 31, Chapter 11 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and the policies of the Department.(uu) "License (Medic or Instructor)" means a license issued to a person which signifies that the person has met the requirements for the respective level of individual licensure specified in Title 31, Chapter 11 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and the policies of the Department.(vv) "Licensee" means all persons licensed by the Department pursuant to Chapter 31-11 and/or these rules, all owners and officers of entities licensed pursuant to Chapter 31-11, and all applicants for a license pursuant to Chapter 31-11 and/or these rules.(ww) "License Officer" means the Commissioner of Public Health or his/her designee.(xx) "License Renewal Cycle" means a period of time established by the Department for renewal of licenses.(yy) "Medic" means an individual who is currently licensed by the Department as an Emergency Medical Technician - Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Cardiac Technician, or Paramedic.(zz) "Medical Control" means the clinical guidance from a physician to EMS Personnel regarding the prehospital management of a patient.(aaa) "Medical Direction" means the administrative process of providing medical guidance or supervision including but not limited to system design, education, critique, and quality improvement by a physician to EMS Personnel, EMS Initial Education Programs, and EMS Agencies.(bbb) "Medical First Responder Service" means an agency or company duly licensed by the Department that provides on-site care until the arrival of the Department's Designated 911 Zone Provider.(ccc) "Medical First Responder Vehicle" means a motor vehicle registered by the Department for the purpose of providing response to emergencies.(ddd) "Medical Protocol" means prehospital treatment guidelines, approved by the local EMS Medical Director, used to manage an emergency medical condition in the field by outlining the permissible and appropriate medical treatment that may be rendered by EMS Personnel to a patient experiencing a medical emergency or injury.(eee) "Neonatal Transport Personnel" means licensed or certified health care professionals specially trained in the care of neonates.(fff) "Neonatal Transport Service" means an agency or company operating under a valid license from the Department that provides facility-to-facility transport for Neonates, infants, children or adolescents.(ggg) "Neonatal Transport Vehicle" or "Neonatal Ambulance" means a motor vehicle registered by the Department that is equipped for the purpose of transporting Neonates to a place where medical care is furnished.(hhh) "Neonate" means an infant 0 - 184 days of age, as defined by the Georgia Regional Perinatal Care Program.(iii) "Nurse" means an individual who is currently licensed in the State of Georgia as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.(jjj) "Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma" means the regulatory subdivision of the Georgia Department of Public Health that is directly responsible for administration of the statewide EMS system.(kkk) "Paramedic" means a person who has been licensed by the Department after having been certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) as a Paramedic, certified by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) as an Advanced Tactical Practitioner (ATP), or licensed as a Paramedic by the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners, now known as the Georgia Composite Medical Board, prior to January 1, 2002.(lll) "Patient Care Report" or "Prehospital Care Report" or "PCR" means the required written or electronic data set that is submitted to the Department or to an acute care facility by an EMS Agency regarding each request for an EMS response. The required data set shall include all data elements specified by the Department.(mmm) "Provisional License (Agency)" means a license issued to an EMS Agency on a conditional basis to allow a newly established EMS Agency to demonstrate that its facilities and operations comply with state statutes and these rules and regulations.(nnn) "Provisional License (Medic)" is defined as a license at the EMT, AEMT or Paramedic level that is issued by the Department to a person who is provisionally certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) at the respective level of application. Provisional licenses are non-renewable except in times of a prolonged public health emergency or as deemed necessary by the Department.(ooo) "Public Safety Answering Point" or "PSAP" means an answering location for 911 calls originating in a given area.(ppp) "Public Call" means a request for a Ground Ambulance Service from a member of the public to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) when dialing "911" or the PSAP's ten-digit phone number, or a request for an ambulance by any law enforcement agency, fire department, rescue squad, or any other public safety agency.(qqq) "Reasonable Distance" means the allowable distance for patient transport established by the local EMS Medical Director based on the ambulance service's geographical area of responsibility, the ambulance service's ability to maintain emergency capabilities, and hospital resources.(rrr) "Regional Ambulance Zoning Plan" means the Department approved method of distributing emergency calls among designated Ground Ambulance Services in designated geographical territories or Emergency Response Zones within each EMS Region in the State.(sss) "Regional Emergency Medical Services Medical Director" or "Regional EMS Medical Director" means a person, having approval of the Regional EMS Council and Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma, who is a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state, familiar with the design and operation of prehospital emergency care, experienced in the prehospital emergency care of acutely ill or injured patients, and experienced in the administrative processes affecting regional and state prehospital Emergency Medical Services systems.(ttt) "Regional Trauma Advisory Committee" or "RTAC" means a trauma-specific multidisciplinary, multi-agency advisory group that is a committee of the Regional EMS Advisory Council for a given EMS Region.(uuu) "Reserve Ambulance" means a registered ambulance that temporarily does not meet the standards for ambulance equipment and supplies in these rules and policies of the Department.(vvv) "Scope of Practice" means the description, as specified by the Department, of what a Licensee legally can, and cannot, do, based on the Licensee's level of licensure. It is a legal description of the distinction between licensed health care personnel and the lay public, and between different licensed health care professionals.(www) "Specialty Care Center" means a licensed hospital dedicated to a specific sub-specialty care including, but not limited to, trauma, stroke, pediatric, burn and cardiac care.(xxx) "Specialty Care Transport" means transportation in a registered Ground Ambulance, Air Ambulance or Neonatal Ambulance during which certain special skills above and beyond those taught in state approved initial Paramedic education are utilized. Provided, however, that this definition is not intended to authorize a Medic to operate beyond his or her Scope of Practice.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 511-9-2-.02
O.C.G.A. §§ 31-2A-3, 31-2A-6, 31-11-2, 31-11-5.
Original Rule entitled "Definitions" adopted. F. December 14, 2011; eff. January 3, 2012.Amended: F. Apr. 27, 2016; eff. May 17, 2016.Amended: F. Nov. 14, 2019; eff. Dec. 9, 2019, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. Oct. 20, 2020; eff. Nov. 18, 2020, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. Sep. 29, 2021; eff. Oct. 27, 2021, as specified by the Agency.