 IMPORTANT NOTICE: Updated 04/09/2020
Dear Colleague:
As you are aware, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) play a vital role in responding to requests for assistance, triaging patients, and providing emergency medical treatment and transport for ill persons.
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is working with state and federal partners to monitor and respond to COVID-19.
While the CDC considers this to be a serious public health concern, based on current information, the immediate health risk from the 2019-nCoV (COVID-19) to the general public in the U.S. is considered low at this time. As surveillance continues, it is expected that more cases will be identified.
However, unlike patient care in the controlled environment of a healthcare facility, care and transports by EMS present unique challenges because of the nature of the setting, enclosed space during transport, frequent need for rapid medical decision-making, interventions with limited information, and a varying range of patient acuity and jurisdictional healthcare resources.
To obtain the most current guidance for EMS clinicians and receive the most current updates, please visit:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-for-ems.html
www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
If you have additional questions, you may contact the Department’s 24/7 hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-962-1253 if in New Jersey, but using a non-NJ cell phone to speak to a trained healthcare professional about COVID-19 or send an email to NCOV@doh.nj.gov.
Guidance on Extensions for American Heart Association (AHA) and American Red Cross (ARC) Instructor and Provider certifications.
The American Heart Association and American Red Cross have issued recommendations for extending the expiration date of all Instructor and Provider certifications.
The New Jersey Department of Health Office of Emergency Medical Services will recognize any recommendation made by the AHA or ARC with respect to the expiration date of their CPR certifications. This will remain in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and Executive Order 103, issued by Governor Murphy.
The New Jersey Department of of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services has issued two waivers, one for expired Emergency Medical Technicians and and one for expired Paramedics to obtain a provisional certification. Please visit: www.nj.gov/health/ems for more information pertaining to the COVID-19 Waivers.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The New Jersey Office of Emergency Medical Services has switched to the NREMT examination. Go to OEMS website to view the most frequently asked questions regarding the examination.
Attention ALL EMT Instructors and program Coordinators:
THE PRINT ROSTER FUNCTION IN THE COURSE LISTING HAS BEEN FIXED. YOU SHOULD NOW BE ABLE TO USE THE SIGN IN SHEETS FROM THE SYSTEM.
The Office of Emergency Medical Services would like to remind all instructors and/or agencies of the process for submitting continuing education for course credit. All courses MUST be submitted greater than 30 days of the course offering date for consideration. The application must be submitted in full or it will be denied. The minimum information requested for submission can be found on Page 1 of the CEU process instructions. If you have any questions, please email the education staff at ems@doh.nj.gov and your inquiry will be assigned accordingly.
CEU Application & Approval Process with Screenshots
CEU Application & Approval Process without Screenshots
Since the implementation of the www.njems.us certification system, the New Jersey Department of Health Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) has continuously monitored the system processes and program management. Through this process and program audits OEMS has identified a few items that require your immediate attention
As part of the educational process and student management, it is paramount that every student uses their unique EMS ID number on every document, test, quiz, homework assignment, psychomotor assessment, sign-in sheet, and clinical documentation form. The use of the student EMS ID number should be incorporated into every facet of their educational process as their unique identifier. This includes using the EMS ID along with the students signature on any documents.
All forms and documentation submitted on behalf of or by a student that is signed by a preceptor, Field Training Officer (FTO), instructor etc should always include a legible printed name, signature, EMS ID and if not associated with your agency in the case of hospital or ambulance ride time the contact information for that individual preceptor/FTO. This information should be clearly written and legible.
All registered students should have an account, EMS ID number and be marked as “Registered” in your program before the start of the second class session. Any student who has difficulty obtaining an EMS ID number should consult with the program coordinator. In an effort to streamline the process and reduce the number of individual inquires to OEMS, we are requesting the program coordinator follow up with OEMS to resolve any student issues revolving around an EMS ID number. Please do not direct the students contact OEMS.
Students who have a criminal background or are marked as “Legal Pending” should contact Mr. Michael Tallant at Michael.Tallant@doh.nj.gov or (609) 633-7777. You will not be able to register these students in your program until their “Legal Pending” status has been cleared. It is the educator’s responsibility to make sure the student understands the rules and regulations regarding the receipt of education and obtaining certification.
Please update all student status’, within 24 hours of any change, utilizing the following guidance:
• “ADMIN DROP” should be used for students who have withdrawn or been removed from the class for administrative reasons. All students marked with this status should include a reason in comment box (i.e. “waitlist” or “withdrew”).
• “NO SHOW” should be used for students who failed to show up for the first day without notifying the coordinator or being excused.
• “NOT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED” should be used for students who are removed for unsuccessful academic, clinical, psychomotor or affective reasons. All students marked with this status should also include a reason the comment box (i.e. “failed module 2 cognitive exam” or “unsuccessful final psychomotor exam”).
• “INCOMPLETE” should be used for students who have met all completion requirements with exception to an outstanding academic, clinical or field remediation requirement. The “Incomplete” status should be documented on the last scheduled day of the class and completed within 30 days of the scheduled program completion date.
• “REGISTERED ONLY” NO student should remain in this status.
• “SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED” should be used for students who have successfully completed all attendance, psychomotor, cognitive and affective program requirements.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to any OEMS education staff member.
Attention to all instructors: As a reminder newly certified NJ EMTs with a (600000) series EMT Number DO NOT have access to www.njoemscert.com. Please do not direct them to attempt to create an account. If they wish to locate ceu courses they may access the online catalog from the login page at www.njoemscert.com, To register for ceu classes they will need to contact the course instructor directly via the contact information provided in the course catalog. In order for persons with the (600000) series EMT numbers to receive credit for elective courses, please provide them with a certificate of your choosing which includes but is not limited to the following: course name, location, date, time of course offering, OEMS ceu approval number and instructor name. This information should be made available to all class attendees for their personal record keeping. OEMS encourages that all EMTs maintain their own ceu files separate from any other means of record keeping. For convenience the EMS 28 (PA-NJ CEU Form) can be used as an acceptable method of providing proof of class/ course attendance. This form can be downloaded from the NJ DOH website at PA/NJ CEU FORM
If your are attempting to register a student for an EMT Initial Education Course, you must make sure the student has filled out the online form for EMT Initial Standard certification by having them select the link "EMT Initial Standard Certification" and complete the application. This has to be done before you can register them for a class. All questions in reference to course registration will be directed to the Course Coordinator for that class.
NEW BLS PROTOCOLS
The NJ Department of Health (NJ DOH) and the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) is proud to announce the publishing of the NEW BLS PROTOCOLS. The protocols are effective immediately. Please consult with your Medical Director for appropriate implementation. The protocols may be viewed at: New Jersey OEMS BLS PROTOCOLS
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