N.J. Admin. Code § 8:41A-4.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 8:41A-4.3 - Recertification

(a) The requirements for recertification as an EMT-Paramedic shall be as follows:

1. Possession of EMT-Paramedic, CPR, ACLS and either PALS or PEPP-Advanced certifications;

2. Successful completion of a minimum of 48 hours of advanced level continuing education, as set forth in (a)2i through iii below. The Department may evaluate standard courses (for example, New Jersey State Police HAZ-MAT courses) and college and professional (for credit) courses to determine applicability to EMT-Paramedic recertification. The Department shall provide information on approvals to interested parties.

i. A minimum of three of the six divisions of the program curriculum. The hours shall have been obtained, at a minimum, in each of divisions two through six of the program curriculum;

ii. A minimum of 36 hours shall cover divisions two through six. No more than 12 hours shall be applied to division one; and

iii. A minimum of eight hours of instruction in Pediatric Advanced Life Support;

3. Demonstration to the medical director of proficiency in all skills approved for pre-hospital care, as specified at 8:41A-5.1;

i. Proficiency may be demonstrated based on actual observation, field performance, or other methods as deemed necessary by the medical director. The medical director shall complete the forms required by this section and submit them to the Department attesting to the level of proficiency of each EMT-Paramedic seeking recertification. Such forms shall reflect whether the skill level is satisfactory and shall bear the original signature of the medical director. The EMS Educator or director shall keep records to allow the completion of such forms that may be required for recertification; and

4. Endorsement of a mobile intensive care hospital.

i. The EMS Educator or the director shall verify that all requirements for recertification have been met and that the EMT-Paramedic is physically capable of performing his or her duties and shall forward all required documentation to the Department. The EMS Educator or the director shall sign the endorsement.

ii. If a mobile intensive care hospital chooses not to extend its endorsement for recertification of an EMT-Paramedic, the medical director shall notify the Department and the EMT-Paramedic by certified mail at least 60 calendar days prior to the expiration of the certification. Such notification shall include a statement explaining why such action is being taken, and shall include a plan for remediation, if applicable.

(b) A person seeking recertification shall document successful completion of continuing education requirements as set forth in (a)3i through iii above on a form to be submitted to OEMS. These 48 continuing education hours shall be accrued over the 24-month period immediately prior to recertification;

(c) No person shall be recertified until documentation of all of the requirements set forth in (a)1 through 5 above has been provided.

(d) Continuing education credits shall not be carried forward from one recertification period to the next. At the beginning of the next recertification period, the continuing education balance shall be reset to zero credits.

(e) A new certification card shall be furnished free of charge upon recertification. All requests for replacement cards must be submitted in writing and accompanied by a certified bank check (for example, a cashier's check) or money order in the amount of $ 5.00, made payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey." Requests sent via e-mail, facsimile or without the $ 5.00 fee shall not be honored.

(f) EMT-Paramedic recertifications shall be valid through the expiration date listed on the card, but in no event shall they be valid for more than 24 months from the date of issue. No grace periods are allowed, nor shall extensions be granted.

(g) Consistent with 8:41A-5.3(b), a person denied recertification as an EMT-Paramedic shall be entitled to a hearing at the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law to contest the denial.

(h) A person who has not been able to meet the recertification requirements due to personal illness or injury may be eligible for an extension of his or her EMT-Paramedic certification for a period of up to one year.

1. A person seeking such an extension shall submit a request, in writing, to OEMS. The request shall include:

i. An explanation of the need for the extension;

ii. Medical documentation from a licensed physician; and

iii. A letter of endorsement from the Director.

2. The Department shall advise the person of its decision within 30 calendar days of receipt of the request.

3. The length of the extension shall equal the period of disability, but shall not exceed one year. Only one such extension shall be granted.

(i) Notwithstanding (b) and (f) above, during the period of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, individuals with certifications set to expire on June 30, 2020, will have until December 31, 2020, to satisfy the recertification requirements above.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:41A-4.3

Modified by Executive Order No. 103(2020) 52 N.J.R. 1156(a), effective 4/23/2020

Modified by Executive Order No. 103(2020) 52 N.J.R. 1652(a), effective 8/7/2020