Council Meeting Highlights - September 29, 2009
Council members Brent Stewart, Derek Dagenais, Bob Fenner, Kim Johnston, Karen Wallace and Karen Todd met by conference call on the evening of September 29, 2009 to consider the recommendations of a number of Council Committees.
Response to Scope and Protocol Changes
Council approved the approach recommended by the Education Committee for the College response to recent changes by the Ministry of Health to scopes of practice and protocols. The Council welcomed the efforts by the Ministry of Health to update protocols and scopes of practice to accommodate new technology and best professional practices. The Executive Committee will be discussing with the Ministry of Health ways to ensure that future changes reflect the College mandate to approve entry to practice and continuing competency training requirements, and to adopt a more collaborative development process so that the College training decisions can be made prior to announcement of protocol or scope changes.
Although some of the scope changes are optional practices for EMS agencies, the Council feels strongly that the license issued by the College should reflect competence to practice all skills approved for the relevant scope of practice. Consequently, the PCP entry to practice requirements will be changed to include King Airways, Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP), and administration of entonox. The ICP entry to practice requirements will now include CPAP and entonox. The College will consult with SIAST prior to establishing an effective date for these changes. In addition, the revisions to protocols should be reflected in the SIAST curriculum as soon as possible.
Council recognized that not all existing members would be practicing in agencies which adopted the new technologies. Consistent with the current grandfathering of EMTs who have not bridged to PCP skills or EMRs who do not have the current requirements for entry to practice, Council decided NOT to require upgrading in the new competencies for existing members. However, these members must understand that they cannot practice the new competencies without successfully completing the approved training. The Education Committee was authorized by Council to approve training for continuing competency so that there is no delay in getting the approvals.
It is essential that the College know which of our members are authorized to practice the new competencies approved for their scopes of practice. Council directed that a record be kept in each member’s file of the training completed to enable practice of expanded scopes of practice. Successful completion of this training should be reported to the college on the CME Report Form with the license renewal application.
CME Requirements for 2011 Licensure
Council received a draft for discussion from the Education Committee of the minimal changes being proposed for CME for the 2011 license renewal. Council directed the committee to consult with facilitators and employers on the proposed changes and report back prior to their approval by Council.
Entry to Practice Licensing Examinations
Council discussed and approved the recommendations from the Registration Committee for the administration of entry to practice licensing examinations at the EMT/PCP and EMT‐P/ACP levels. These policies address issues such as exam security and procedures for the actual exam sitting. Council also set a passing mark of 80% for eligibility for licensure in the province. This is similar to the levels required in other provinces. The first exam sitting will be on October 22, 2009. The two exams will include both written and practical components.
The current exemption from licensing exams at the EMR and EMT‐A levels will continue. For the initial examination sittings, PCP and ACP graduates from out of province will be able to write the Saskatchewan exam or have successful completion of the examination from their home province accepted for registration purposes. SIAST graduates in 2009 will continue to be exempt from the licensing exam consistent with earlier decisions by Council. This policy is under review for future years as the College acquires a more robust capability for administering the exams. Council expressed appreciation to the Manitoba regulator for their assistance in developing the Saskatchewan exams, and their continued guidance and assistance as we undertake the first administration of the exams.
Resources
The Audit Committee reported that an increase over planned registration of more than 100 members and a grant of $61,000 from the Ministry of Health has had a positive impact on the financial position of the college for the year, reducing the planned deficit. Council agreed with the Audit Committee recommendations to proceed immediately with increases in staffing originally planned for January. The College will be recruiting a paramedic to assist the Professional Conduct, Registration and Education Committees. The Administrative Support staff position will be increased from half time to full time. With these changes to the 2009 budget, the planned deficit will be reduced to less than $160,000.
Strategic Planning
Council members (with the exception of Len Protz for both days and Jamie Struthers for September 1st) met August 31st and September 1st to consider the priorities for 2009‐10 and the longer term goals and strategies for the College. The session included an environmental scan conducted by DCSM Consulting which included interviews with representatives of select stakeholders, and an assessment of the College progress against criteria for effective self‐regulation. The results of that session will be further discussed at the next Council meeting.