In 2015, Act 15 required EMS providers, both paid and volunteer, to have background completed every 5 years. The required background checks include a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Check through the Department of Human Services.
All providers certified at or above the AEMT level are required to have ALS skills verifications completed by the EMS agency's medical director. The skills verification must be completed initially and every 12 months. The EMS agency is responsible for maintaining the verification records for seven years.
The EMS Act of 2009 and the Rules and Regulations require the driver of a licensed EMS vehicle be EMSVO certified. Here you will find resources on initial and renewal certification registration for the EMSVO.
The Department permits BLS agencies to participate in the optional Epi-Pen for BLS program. Here you will find resources related to the Epi-Pen for BLS Program.
While the EHSF assists EMS agencies and providers to understand the PA EMS Act of 2009 and its Rules and Regulations, there are other laws EMS agencies leaders and providers must recognize. Here are some additional laws and regulations.
The patient transfer of care form is required by the EMS Act and Rules and Regulations. The Department requires the primary care provider to provide a report with the receiving facility at the time of the patient's transfer of care. The report must be given verbally and in a written format. This form provides the minimum data elements required to be provided at the time of the patient's transfer of care.
