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We received approval of the transition course curricula at the August 6, Kansas Board of EMS meeting in Topeka.  With this approval, we are moving forward to the train-the-trainer events.  Here is some information that persons responsible for the coordination of the transition courses in their communities and services will find useful.

General Information:

1. The courses were approved by BEMS as competency based, not time based.  What this means is that students are doing more than just sitting in class. They must show competency in the knowledge, skills, and abilities.  This may take more or less time than is specified in the individual lesson plans.  Your local situation may vary depending upon the experience of the teacher(s) and students.  Be flexible and understand the importance of obtaining competency for all students.
2. Only I/Cs and TOs who have attended a train the trainer course this fall will be approved to coordinate transition bridge courses.  They may find subject matter experts to teach the materials in the course or may, if qualified, teach it themselves.
3. Completion of the entire bridge course, with acknowledgement of competency by the instructor and verification by the State Board of EMS will be required BEFORE any technician can use the new scope activities.  Local protocols will also need to be in place.  This is important to understand.  EMS Providers cannot begin using new skills at the end of a given class session or module. EMS Providers must complete the entire course and receive your new certification from the Kansas Board of EMS and the local protocols must reflect the new scope of practice.
4. Sample course schedules and course hours for EMR, EMT, and AEMT are available on the documents page of this website or by clicking on each link in this sentence.

There have been a number of questions about the process of bridging to the new scope of practice at each level.  Here is a summary of the options.

First Responder:

• First Responders transition to EMR via the EMR Transition Bridge.
• First Responders opt out a transition bridge course and fail to renew certification.

Emergency Medical Technician:

• Emergency Medical Technicians transition to EMT via the EMT Transition Bridge.
• Emergency Medical Technicians may choose to transition to EMR via the EMR Transition Bridge.
• Emergency Medical Technicians opt out a transition bridge course and fail to renew certification.

Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate:

• Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediates transition to AEMT via the AEMT Transition Bridge.
• Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediates may choose to transition to EMT via the EMT Transition Bridge.
• Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediates may choose to transition to EMR via the EMR Transition Bridge.
• Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediates opt out a transition bridge course and fail to renew certification.

Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate/Defibrillator:

• Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate/Defibrillators transition to AEMT via the AEMT Transition Bridge.
• Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate/Defibrillators may choose to transition to EMT via the EMT Transition Bridge.
• Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate/Defibrillators may choose to transition to EMR via the EMR Transition Bridge.
• Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate/Defibrillators opt out a transition bridge course and fail to renew certification.

Emergency Medical Technician – Defibrillator:

• Emergency Medical Technician – Defibrillator transition to AEMT via an existing EMT – Intermediate Curriculum and the AEMT Transition Bridge.
• Emergency Medical Technician – Defibrillator may choose to transition to EMT via the EMT Transition Bridge.
• Emergency Medical Technician – Defibrillator may choose to transition to EMR via the EMR Transition Bridge.
• Emergency Medical Technician – Defibrillators opt out a transition bridge course and fail to renew certification.