AMLS Course Administration
AMLS Course Administration
AMLS Course Administration
Purpose
This Instructor resource has been prepared to inform potential course instructors and coordinators of the programs purpose, organizational structure, course requirements, and lecture outlines. Each Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) course must be approved and conducted as prescribed in this tool with the involvement of the appropriate NAEMT/AMLS personnel. The purpose of this tool is to identify the administrative process utilized to conduct Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) courses. This tool is required to be used by all instructors and course coordinators as a companion document to the AMLS textbook, Advanced Medical Life Support: An Assessment-Based Approach, for the administration and teaching of AMLS provider, refresher, and instructor courses.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) program is to provide knowledge and skills that promote the competence of healthcare providers responsible for the assessment and management of adult patients who present with a variety of medical emergencies. The AMLS mission complements the education mission of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) to improve patient care through high quality, cost effective, evidence-based education that strengthens and enhances the knowledge and skills of EMS practitioners. To that end, AMLS courses provide healthcare professionals the opportunity to engage in case-based, interactive lecture and practical station experiences that support the assessment-based, comprehensive AMLS assessment. The AMLS course fully addresses how to best assess and manage the most common medical crises in patients, offering a think outside the box methodology.
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Utilize effective therapeutic communication, clinical reasoning, pattern recognition, and decision-making skills to perform comprehensive assessments to identify lifethreatening, critical/emergent and nonemergency medical diagnoses and management strategies for medical complaints. Discuss historical, physical examination, and diagnostic ndings to the appropriate body system to determine and modify appropriate differential diagnoses.
AMLS Committee
The AMLS committee is comprised of NAEMT members appointed by the NAEMT President who are responsible for the design, content and dissemination of the AMLS program. The committee appoints and oversees the performance of all international and afliate faculty, as well as regional and state coordinators. The AMLS medical directors, approved by the NAEMT president, are representatives of the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) and ensure that the content within the textbook and courses are evidence-based medical content and relative to current medical practice. The NAEMT Headquarters ofce provides administrative support for the AMLS program. The committee receives administrative support from the staff at NAEMT headquarters. All course information, documentation and administration is directed out of this ofce. NAEMT Headquarters is located at 132-A East Northside Drive, Clinton, Mississippi. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1400, Clinton, MS, 39056-1400. The telephone number is 1-800346-2368.
AMLS Webpage
The NAEMT website is at www.naemt.org. Information about AMLS is located in the Continuing Education section on the site. Information about how to establish a course site and hold any NAEMT education program is located in the Course Coordinators section on the site.
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International AMLS
NAEMT has a process for establishing new international course partners to adminster NAEMT education programs. To implement the AMLS program at an international site, a 15-item questionnaire must be completed and forward to NAEMT Headquarters. This information is forwarded to the president of NAEMT for review and approval. Upon approval, the president of NAEMT begins the process of establishing an agreement with the prospective partner. Once the agreement is executed, plans for the inaugural course are coordinated through the AMLS chairperson or their designee.
Annual Meeting
Program meetings are held at least once a year in conjunction with the NAEMT Annual Meeting and are an opportunity for all those interested in the educational program to meet, discuss, and provide reports on the ongoing business. These meetings are open to all interested individuals.
About CECBEMS
The Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS) was chartered in 1992 to develop consistent criteria for the review and approval of EMS continuing education activities nationwide. AMLS courses are reviewed in accordance with CECBEMS education standards and are assigned continuing education credits recognized by CECBEMS. CECBEMS fees are included in course fees (no additional submission or action is required on behalf of the sponsoring site, unless required by local regulatory agencies), and participant information is submitted to CECBEMS by the NAEMT Headquarters ofce, provided the course roster contains all participant information required by CECBEMS. Incomplete participant data is ineligible for submission and recognition by CECBEMS for awarding continuing education credit. Further information on CECBEMS can be found at http://www.cecbems.org. In addition, the AMLS Provider Course is recognized for continuing education credits for registered nurses through the Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNSA). Application information can be found in the AMLS section of the NAEMT website.
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Format
Provider courses are can be offered in two formats. The rst is the traditional on-site faceto-face format with lectures and practical stations. The second is a blended format (when available) in which the lecture portion of the course is offered online in an interactive webbased format, followed by one-day face-to-face evaluation stations and examination.
Eligible Participants
Healthcare providers who possess a current certication or license at the advanced practitioner level or EMT expanded scope of practice are eligible to attend an AMLS provider course. The participant must have a foundational knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the human body systems. An understanding of comprehensive assessment and management strategies for a variety of medical emergencies of the respiratory, cardiovascular, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, reproductive, endocrine, metabolic, and neurologic body systems are key to successful completion. In addition, infectious disease, toxicology, weapons of mass destruction, hazardous materials, environmental emergencies, and shock are discussed.
Course Completion
Successful completion of the AMLS provider course is dened as: Attendance at the entire course. Completion of any required prerequisite work.
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Participation as a team leader in demonstrating competency and prociency in a comprehensive assessment utilizing the AMLS assessment pathway in a minimum of one of the four practical application stations. Achievement of a minimum passing score of 76% on the posttest relevant to the participants scope of practice.
Recognition
Upon successful completion of the provider course, recognition is valid for 4 years. A certicate of completion and card will be provided by the course coordinator to all participants who successfully complete the course
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Faculty Requirements
The minimum recommended ratio for instructor-to-live patient-to-student for all practical stations or scenarios is 1:1:5. Final evaluation stations may have no more than four participants when testing. Therefore, the ratio for practical scenario testing is no greater than 1:1:4. If highly experienced instructors are being utilized and scheduled instructors are not available, the ratio may slightly increase. The course coordinator will determine if this modication is necessary. At least 50% of the faculty must be current AMLS instructors. Adjunct faculty may be used for lectures, but may not be used for evaluation stations.
Eligible Participants
Individuals who have successfully completed the AMLS provider course and are within their 4-year recognition period are eligible to participate in the refresher course. All participants must provide a copy of their current provider card prior to course registration.
Course Completion
Successful completion of the refresher course includes: Participation in the entire course and satisfactorily completion of all components. Demonstration of prociency of the AMLS comprehensive assessment process and practical application as a team leader in the designated evaluation stations. Achievement of a minimum passing score of 78% on the written evaluation. 6
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Recognition
Upon successful completion of the refresher course, a new AMLS certicate of completion and card are issued for a 4-year recognition period. Certicates and cards are issued by the course coordinator within a reasonable timeframe following the conclusion of the course.
Faculty Requirements
The minimum recommended ratio for instructor-to-student for all practical stations or scenarios is 1:6. Final evaluation stations may have no more than four participants when testing. Therefore, the ratio for practical scenario testing is no greater than 1:4. If highly experienced instructors are being utilized and scheduled instructors are not available, the ratio may increase to 1:8. The course coordinator will determine if this modication is necessary. At least 50% of the faculty must be current AMLS instructors. Adjunct faculty may be used for lectures, but may not be used for evaluation stations.
instructor criteria. This course provides information on adult learning theory, the AMLS assessment-based process for determining diagnoses, and management for adult patients with a variety of medical complaints. Healthcare providers selected for this course are required to be experienced, advanced healthcare providers and instructors in other advanced practice educational courses, such as, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). In some instances, with approval of the AMLS afliate faculty and regional coordinator, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) with expanded scope of practice may be eligible to become instructors, such as in the U.S. military.
Eligible Participants
Individuals who have successfully completed the provider course with a minimum passing score of 84% on the written nal evaluation and achieved prociency on the required nal evaluation station are eligible to attend the instructor course. Recommendation for participation in the instructor course is provided by the course coordinator.
Course Completion
Successful completion of the AMLS instructor course is dened as: Attendance at the entire course. Achievement of an 84% score on the written evaluation. Demonstration of prociency in the required evaluation station.
Recognition
Upon successful completion of the instructor-candidate course, recognition is provided for 4 years, with the provision that the instructor is monitored by the course coordinator or afliate faculty the rst time lecturing and teachingtesting practical stations; teaches one course annually; and adheres to NAEMT policies. An instructor course certicate of completion and card are awarded by the course coordinator within a reasonable timeframe following course completion.
Instructor-candidate Monitoring
Instructor-candidates must be monitored within 1 year of completion of the instructor course to be recognized as an instructor. Monitoring faculty will complete and return the instructor monitoring form to NAEMT or the course coordinator in a timely manner. Instructorcandidates may be monitored: 1. In a traditional face-to-face format a. Lecturing and teaching stations at a registered provider course. b. Instructor-candidates must be approved to be monitored at these courses by the course coordinator.
2. At the conclusion of the instructor-candidate course, an individual instructor-candidate or a small group of candidates may be monitored a. Demonstration and effective facilitation of a given provider course case by monitoring faculty.
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b. Debrieng including station set-up and equipment, review of the AMLS Assessment Pathway and Final Evaluation Form, dening pitfalls and common instructor and participant errors. c. Instructor-candidate will perform a competent demonstration back to the monitoring faculty using the same or different case at the discretion of the monitoring faculty. d. Provider course coordinators will continue to mentor a new instructor in lecture and station material at their rst provider course or if deemed necessary for additional mentoring. 3. Nontraditional Format a. Requires approval of the geographical areas assigned regional coordinator and notication to the NAEMT Headquarters ofce. b. Interactive, online format. c. Podcasts and online technology that can offer visual and audio components for verbal and visual communication for the instructor-candidate and monitoring faculty are acceptable.
Faculty Requirements
Instructor courses will be presented by a member of the AMLS Committee, afliate faculty, regional coordinator, or military or international coordinator.
If an instructor-candidate does not successfully complete the on-site mentoring process, the course coordinator will debrief the instructor-candidate and make recommendations for improvement. The instructor-candidate will need to be monitored at a provider course at a later date, at the course coordinators convenience.
Eligible Participants
Current AMLS instructors, afliate faculty, regional coordinators, and military and international coordinators, with proof of current status, are eligible to attend these workshops.
Recognition
Upon successful completion of the instructor update workshop, new recognition certicates and cards will be awarded for a 4-year period, with the provision that the instructor fulll all requirements outlined in the AMLS instructor roles and responsibilities. Certicates are awarded by the afliate faculty or regional course coordinator.
Material Requirements
Updated materials and information required to teach with the new course materials.
Administrative Requirements
The instructor update course application must be submitted to the NAEMT Headquarters ofce, via the NAEMT website, a minimum of 30 days prior to the scheduled course date. The minimum administrative stafng requirements per course are one afliate faculty or regional course coordinator. 10
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Faculty Requirements
The initial instructor update will be presented by the AMLS committee. Subsequent updates will be offered by afliate faculty, regional, military, or national coordinators, or approved designees who have completed an instructor update course.
Instructor Description
Instructors are current AMLS providers who have successfully completed the instructor course and have been monitored by an AMLS approved afliate or regional faculty member within 1 year of completion of the instructor course. Instructors are selected by course coordinators.
Qualications
All NAEMT Instructors must: Adhere to the guidelines and standards for NAEMT education programs. Possess knowledge of education course concepts and philosophies. Possess knowledge and clinical prehospital experience relevant to assigned lectures and skill stations, including equipment applications, indications, and contraindications. Present the course content assigned in an effective manner. Communicate courteously and effectively with a diverse group of course participants, coordinators, instructors, afliate faculty, and other adjunct faculty. Demonstrate consideration of participants needs and learning styles. Responsibilities: As requested by the course coordinator, the instructor will: Assist in preparations for the course, including setup and break down of classrooms and equipment. Assist in the presentation of the course, including assigned lectures, skill stations, and scenarios. Participate as a sole evaluator of nal participant evaluations. Complete all pre-and post-course paperwork as appropriate.
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Accountability: The instructor is accountable to the course coordinator and medical director. Instructors will advise the course coordinator of any problems that may arise before, during or after the course.
Qualications
Adjunct faculty will: Demonstrate knowledge and support of AMLS concepts and philosophy. Present AMLS course materials assigned in an effective manner. Possess knowledge and clinical experience relevant to the lecture or station assignment.
Responsibilities
As requested by the course coordinator, the adjunct faculty will: Adhere to the NAEMT guidelines and standards for each course. Present the assigned lecture utilizing the AMLS Assessment Pathway. Assist in skill stations only if a current AMLS provider. Complete all paperwork as appropriate. Advise the course coordinator of any course or participant issues before, during, or after the AMLS course. Adhere to the NAEMT guidelines and standards for all programs. Support AMLS course concepts and philosophies. Possess knowledge and clinical experience at or above the level of the participants taught and relevant to assigned skill stations, including pathophysiology of a variety of medical diagnoses and management strategies. Will not participate as a nal station evaluator.
Accountability
The adjunct faculty are accountable to the course coordinator.
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Responsibilities:
Course Coordinators will: Organize, plan and budget for course materials, facilities, equipment and human resources; Supervise all preparations for the course, including set up and break down of classrooms and equipment; Present all course materials in an effective fashion; Communicate courteously and effectively with a diverse group of course participants, instructors, and afliate and adjunct faculty; Consider the participants needs and learning styles in delivering the course; Ensure submission of all pre-course and post-course paperwork and reports, including appropriate documents and payment to the NAEMT Headquarters ofce; Issue cards and certicates to students in a timely manner; Provide course oversight including the instructional components for new instructors. Recognize discrepancies and develop solutions; Adhere to all NAEMT policies and procedures for administering NAEMT education programs; Provide documentation of course evaluations to the state coordinator and/or regional coordinator, as applicable; Advise the state/regional coordinator in writing of any problems with courses, instructors, etc. and/or any relevant eld information, in a timely manner; 13
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Maintain copies of all relative course paperwork from the course for at least ve years; Ensure complete, accurate and timely submission of participant information, postcourse materials and fees to NAEMT within 30 days of course completion. Course Coordinators who fail to comply will not be allowed to register courses until all outstanding paperwork and fees are received at NAEMT headquarters. Provide and maintain current contact information with NAEMT Headquarters.
Accountability
Regional or State Coordinators will supervise the activities of the Course Coordinator.
Qualications
The medical director is an AMLS provider and board certied physician, preferably a physician who specializes in emergency medicine.
Responsibilities
The course medical director will: Be available, on site or by telephone, to the course coordinator to address medical questions that may arise in the progress of the course. Ideally, should actively participate in the course by either lecturing, presenting skill stations or with student evaluations. Advise the program afliate and regional coordinator in writing of any problems with the course, instructors, course coordinator, medical course content, or any relevant healthcare provider information.
Accountability
The medical director is accountable to the AMLS Committee for the accuracy and integrity of the delivery of course content.
quality and consistency of the course by monitoring new instructors, new sites, new course coordinators, and teaching required updates and instructor courses.
Responsibilities
Afliate faculty will: Archive copies of all relevant course paperwork. Maintain contact with the course coordinator during planning of scheduled courses. Notify AMLS regional coordinators that communication or contact has been made with the course coordinator. Assist the course coordinator with the pre-course faculty meeting. Monitor lectures and skill stations for adherence to AMLS course philosophy, schedule, and standards. Maintain NAEMT membership. Identify AMLS potential sites and recommend course coordinators and afliate faculty. Report to the regional coordinator following the completion of the course.
Accountability
The afliate faculty are accountable to the regional coordinators.
Responsibilities
The regional coordinator will: Oversee afliate activities within their geographical assigned region. Conduct quarterly conference calls with afliate faculty. Support afliate faculty in promoting AMLS in their geographic area. Report to the AMLS committee chairperson in writing in a timely manner any problems with course materials, course instructors, afliate faculty, or sites. Maintain NAEMT membership. Identify potential AMLS sites, course coordinators, and afliate faculty. Make recommendations to the AMLS committee chairperson for course content for future revisions of materials. 15
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Accountability
Regional coordinators are accountable to the AMLS committee chairperson. Regional coordinators will provide a quarterly written report to the AMLS chairperson on activity in their region, problem resolution, meetings, or updates held in their assigned region.
Qualications
Military coordinators will: Maintain current membership in NAEMT. Maintain recognition as an AMLS instructor and course coordinator, preferably afliate faculty. Provide a letter of recommendation from the previous military coordinator and medical director. Maintain knowledge and experience in management of the AMLS programs and faculty within the military environment. Possess the necessary administrative skills and/or support to coordinate the logistic requirements of the AMLS courses.
Responsibilities
Military coordinator will: Possess the knowledge and clinical experience to effectively perform lectures and participate in teaching and testing stations, evaluation stations, written exam, and debrieng. Maintain knowledge of AMLS course concepts, policies, procedures, and philosophy. Organize, plan, and budget for course materials, facilities, equipment, and human resources. Actively promote and disseminate the AMLS program within the military. Obtain all required equipment and AMLS faculty. Recognize discrepancies related to course, faculty, or participants and develop solutions. Ensure each participant and faculty member has all pre-course materials, including an NAEMT registration form for participants. 16
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Registers courses a minimum of 30 days prior to a scheduled course. Contacts NAEMT headquarters with any cancellation of courses. Completes all course registration and post-course paperwork as required from the headquarters ofce. Ensures that issuance of course completion certicates and cards is awarded as the participant completes the course or within a reasonable time frame. Post-course paperwork should be completed and sent to NAEMT within 30 days. Maintains communication with afliate faculty regarding the status of the course. Ensures compliance with all AMLS course standards and adheres to all NAEMT policies and procedures for course administration. Issues course completion certicates and cards to participants who have successfully completed course requirements within a reasonable time following course completion. Monitors new instructor-candidates. Recognizes problems before, during, and after the course and develops solutions. Ensures ongoing communication with designated afliate faculty and regional coordinator. Advises afliate faculty and regional coordinator in writing and in a timely manner of any problems related to participants, instructors or courses. Maintain copies of all related course paperwork for a minimum of 5 years. Ensures complete, accurate, and timely submission of participant information and post-course materials. Provide NAEMT Headquarters with the following to support the appointment: o Copy of current AMLS instructor certicate and card. o Copy of current CVA letter of recommendation from the course monitoring afliate faculty.
Accountability
The military coordinator is accountable to the AMLS committee chair.
Qualications
The national coordinator will: Be an active member of NAEMT. Be a citizen of the particular country. 17
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Have a history of support for the NAEMT education program at a minimum level of instructor or coordinator, preferably afliate faculty. Provide a letter of recommendation from the previous national coordinator, medical director, or other who has personal knowledge of candidates activities. Have knowledge and experience in program human resource management in the particular country. Submit a personal resume.
Responsibilities
National coordinators will: Actively promote and disseminate the program within the assigned country. Identify potential program sites. Advise the AMLS chairperson of any conferences or occasions that will benet from the presence of AMLS. This may mean organizing, attending or participating on behalf of AMLS. Provide information and documentation to interested parties, and direct inquiries to those best able to assist; Identify potential NAEMT education program sites. Liaise with international coordinators within their country. Assemble information and produce reports for the AMLS committee. Provide AMLS programsand required monitoring to establish new AMLS sites. Identify potential AMLS afliate faculty. Advise the NAEMT Headquarters ofce of new afliates, including relevant contact information. Build relationships to maintain open communication. Disseminate information on any revisions to content, administrative responsibilities or communication from the AMLS Committee or NAEMT. Ensure that all programs follow process and content as designated in the Instructor Manual. Advise the AMLS Chairperson of any difculties or issues in writing and in a timely manner. Serve as faculty for instructor updates and workshops.
Accountability
The national coordinator is accountable to the AMLS program committee chair.
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