EMS Recertification: Why CAPCE-Approved Courses Are Essential for Online Continuing Education
Considering online continuing education (CE) for EMS training? Read on to learn why CAPCE credit, or credit from the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education, is essential to continuing education, and the integral part it plays in online training with Recert.
What is CAPCE accreditation?
CAPCE is the recognized leading accrediting body in continuing education in the Emergency Medical Services industry. Completing CAPCE-approved courses certifies that EMS providers have been trained with high-quality, standards-driven courses, regardless of whether they’re taken online or in the classroom.
Why is CAPCE certification important?
EMS continuing education credits are necessary for providers to retain their certifications. Today’s EMS providers are trained according to the standards developed for CAPCE accreditation. This includes active medical direction requirements, delivery methodology, educational design, and quality infrastructure.
Most states and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) National Certification Exam require successful completion of cognitive and psychomotor examinations, along with other requirements. Once certified, NREMT-licensed providers must meet all NREMT recertification requirements throughout the duration of their careers to maintain active certification status. NREMT licenses expire every 2 years. Providers also must maintain active certification status in the state(s) in which they practice.
The NREMT, and most states, recognized CAPCE-accredited courses as meeting the standard for their recertification requirements. In addition to resting assured their courses meet the requirements for their renewals, another benefit of becoming certified through CAPCE is that it transmits its data digitally to the NREMT, which means that providers simply need to import their completed course records into their NREMT profile, saving time and helping reduce errors.
What types of CAPCE courses are available?
All EMS continuing education courses delivered through Recert are CAPCE-approved and evidence-based. Recert courses are:
- Applicable—Course materials meet National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) requirements,
- Interactive—Courses are adaptive, with patient simulations, critical thinking modules, and live patient videos,
- Relevant—All coursework is evidence-based, aligning with the most recent medical guidelines, protocols, and standards, and,
- Transformative—All coursework can immediately be applied in the field, with challenging scenarios that help advance training.
Having CAPCE-approved training can help organizations designed to assist EMS providers in their license recertification requirements. Organizations with CAPCE accreditation must: demonstrate ongoing needs for specific educational activities for EMS students; submit approval or a letter of recommendation from the state EMS office and the current agreement with physician medical directors to provide direction to the CAPCE and EMS program committee; and maintain an active program committee responsible for reviewing and approving all activities offered by the organization.
Here are just a few CAPCE EMS continuing education courses available through Recert:
- Field Triage: Disasters and MCIs (BLS/ALS Edition)
- Crew Resource Management (BLS/ALS Edition)
- Pediatric Transport (BLS/ALS Edition)
- Rescue-D Managing Patients with Disabilities (BLS/ALS Edition)
- Introduction to Simulation Concepts (NAEMT Instructor 2e BLS/ALS Edition)
- Abdominal Disorders (AMLS 3e ALS/BLS Edition)
- Scene Management and Primary Survey of the Trauma Patient (PHTLS 9e ALS Edition)
- Scene Management and Primary Survey of the Trauma Patient (PHTLS 9e BLS Edition)
- End-of-Life Care Issues in Geriatric Patients (GEMS 2e BLS/ALS Edition)
- Wilderness Trauma (PHTLS 9e BLS/ALS Edition)
- Children with Special Healthcare Needs: Autism Spectrum Disorder (BLS/ALS Edition)
- Children with Special Healthcare Needs: Asthma Emergencies (BLS/ALS)
These courses fulfill the requirements needed for NREMT NCCP requirements.
Dr. John Phelps, a 23-year veteran of the Emergency Medical Services industry, discusses the importance of continuing education for EMTs and Paramedics:
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