Con-Ed F.A.Q.
In an effort to serve you better, SAEMS.com has developed a list of frequently
asked questions related to the Pennsylvania Department of Health EMS
Continuing Education program. If your question is not included below, please
contact us either by phone at 800-367-5448 (M-F 8:30 am through 4:30 pm) or
email at saems@saems.com.
Q. What CPR Courses are accepted for EMT and First Responder recertification?
A. Only courses including professional level instruction in adult, child, and infant CPR are
accepted for recertification purposes. Current approved courses are:
- American Heart Association: BLS Healthcare Provider
- American Red Cross: CPR for the Professional Rescuer
- Medic First Aid: Basic Life Support for Professional (BLSPRO)
- National Safety Council: CPR Professional Rescuer
- American Safety and Health Institute: CPR Training for Healthcare
Professionals
Q. My status report says I did not meet my CPR regulatory requirements, but I
took CPR. What do I do?
A. Send a copy (front and back) of your CPR card to SAEMS.
Include your EMT, EMT-P or FR certification level and number, and your date of
birth.
Q. If I take CPR through an SAEMS CPR instructor, do I still have to send my CPR
information?
A. Yes. Unless a CPR course is registered for con-ed, and you complete a con-ed
registration card while taking the course, you still must send a copy (front
and back) of your CPR card.
SAEMS instructors conduct many CPR courses throughout the year. Only
a small fraction of them are exclusively for EMS providers. Unless the
course is registered, it is not possible for SAEMS to match CPR students to con-ed
records.
Q. Can I get credit for a course even if it is not registered for con-ed?
A. Many nationally recognized courses such as BTLS and ACLS as well as many
courses conducted through the PA Fire Academy are already rated for con-ed.
Anybody successfully completing the course is eligible to receive continuing
education credits through a process called endorsement. This is a relatively simple process.
If a course is not already rated for con-ed, such as nursing courses,
certified athletic trainer courses, and some seminar or college-level courses,
the course can still be approved for continuing education. In this case,
the process is a little more difficult and takes longer for approval at the PA
Department of Health. You will be responsible for submitting a course
description or syllabus, and other supporting documentation as well as
evidence of successful completion.
Q. How many hours do I need for recertification?
A. Here is a link to a summary of Continuing
Education Requirements (PDF Document).
Q. Do I have to get a certain amount of con-ed each year, or
can I get all of my hours in one year A. First Responders
and EMTs are only required to obtain their total number of hours every three
years, with no restrictions on the number of hours per year. EMT-Paramedics must obtain their 18 hours each year to maintain
medical command eligibility.
Q. I attended a 16
hour course but only received 8 hours of con-ed. Why?
A. Con-ed is granted only for material
directly related to EMS training. If only a portion of the course is EMS
related, then you will only receive credit for part of a course. The
number of con-ed hours for each registered course is listed on our
on-line schedule. The number
of credits available for a specific course may also vary depending upon your
level of certification.
Q. Why can't I access my con-ed information on line?
A. The con-ed database is maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of
Health. The Department has not yet made the database available on line.
If it ever does become available, we will create a link to the information. |
