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CERTIFICATION AT THE RPPEO INCLUDES 3 DIVISIONS

Entry to Practice

Is the process by which a candidate can become certified to practice as a Paramedic in eastern Ontario.

Return to Clinical Practice

Is the process by which a Paramedic that has been away from active practice become re-activated.

Continuing Practice

Is the process by which the RPPEO fulfills its mandate for patient safety by evaluating active Paramedics for continuing competency.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The Provincial Maintenance of Certification Standards (MoCS) are outlined in Appendix 6 of the Ontario Advanced Life Support Patient Care Standards (ALS PCS). Paramedics who fail to meet the minimum requirements for annual recertification at the end of the annual certification period will be deactivated on the 1st of February at 00:00hrs (beginning of the next certification period).

THE CRITERIA FOR ANNUAL RECERTIFICATION ARE:

Recertification requirements are set and maintained by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Emergency Health Services Branch. They are listed in the Advanced Life Support Patient Care Standards (ALS PCS), Appendix 6 which states:

Maintenance of Certification requires that the Paramedic:

  1. The Paramedic shall demonstrate competency in the performance of Controlled Acts and other advanced medical procedures, compliance with the ALS PCS, and the provision of patient care at the Paramedic’s level of Certification. Competency and compliance shall be determined by the Medical Director and may include chart audits, field evaluations, and RBHP patch communication review.
  2. The Paramedic shall not have an absence from providing patient care that exceeds ninety (90) consecutive days.
  3. The Paramedic shall either,
    a. provide patient care to a minimum of ten (10) patients per year whose care requires assessment and management at the Paramedic’s level of Certification, or
    b. where a Paramedic is unable to assess and manage the minimum of ten (10) patients per year, demonstrate alternate experience, as approved by the Medical Director, that may involve 1 or more of the following:  
    i. other patient care activities; 
    ii. additional CME; 
    iii. simulated patient encounters; and
    iv. clinical placements.
  4. The Paramedic shall complete at least 1 evaluation per year at the appropriate level of Certification, which may include: an assessment of knowledge and evaluation of skills; scenarios; and on-line learning and evaluation.
  5. The Paramedic shall complete a minimum of CME hours per year as follows: eight (8) hours for PCPs, twelve (12) hours for PCP Flight, twenty-four (24) hours for ACPs, and seventy-two (72) hours for ACP Flight and CCP. CME hours include electives from our approved elective calendar, as well as CME hours, include hours completed as part of an evaluation required by paragraph 4.

TO BE RECERTIFIED WITH THE RPPEO THIS YEAR:

Each Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) must:

  • Be employed by an Emergency Medical Service/Paramedic Service
  • Provided patient care to a minimum of ten (10) patients per year whose care requires assessment and management at the Paramedic’s level of Certification
  • Have participated in Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 CME
  • Have 8 hours of an elective from our approved elective calendar, or that the Paramedic submits for approval via our Elective CME Pre-approval request form.

Each Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) must:

  • Be employed by an Emergency Medical Service/Paramedic Service
  • Provided patient care to a minimum of ten (10) patients per year whose care requires assessment and management at the Paramedic’s level of Certification
  • Have participated in Cycle 2 CME

If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact certification@rppeo.ca or contact the MedicLINE at 1-877-587-7736 x1