ASTM F1256-22

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1256 − 22
Standard Guide for
Selection and Practice of Emergency Medical Services
Instructor for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training
Programs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1256; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.7 This guide applies only to instructors who teach in basic
life support training courses designed to prepare an individual
1.1 This guide is intended to assist emergency medical
for certification to practice above the level EMT. It does not
services (EMS) agencies and institutions in selecting and
apply to instructors who teach in specialized courses that do
utilizing individuals who teach in EMT (emergency medical
not in themselves qualify the individual for a level of EMT
technician) training programs which include instruction in
certification.
basic life support knowledge and skills.
1.8 This guide does not establish certification requirements.
1.2 This guide identifies six categories of instructor in an
Such requirements should be established by the certifying
EMT (emergency medical technician) training program: ad-
agency in the jurisdiction in which the EMT instructor will
junct instructor, clinical/field preceptor, practical skills
function. This guide may be used to provide considerable
instructor, associate instructor, course instructor/coordinator
guidance to the jurisdiction responsible for establishing certi-
(I/C), and course administrator. The guide recognizes that an
fication standards.
individual may, depending on his/her level of practice and the
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
training program involved, function in any or all of these
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
categories.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.3 This guide includes specific guidelines for
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
qualifications, training, education, experience, scope of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
authority, responsibilities, continuing education, evaluation,
and maintenance of competency when applicable. NOTE 1—Also see Practice F1031.
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.4 This guide does not include specific guidelines for the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
course administrator or the adjunct instructor. While the guide
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
recognizes, by offering a definition of each category, that these
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
types of individuals function in many EMT training programs,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
the limited instructional roles played by these individuals
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
preclude the need for specific selection and utilization guide-
lines.
2. Referenced Documents
1.5 This guide is intended to apply to any individual who
2.1 ASTM Standards:
teaches in EMT training programs regardless of the individu-
F1031 Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Tech-
al’s present level of clinical practice.
nician (Basic)
1.6 This guide intentionally omits references to length of
2.2 Other Referenced Standards:
pre-hospital care experience, teaching experience, and continu-
NHTSA National EMS Scope of Practice Model
ing education requirements. This guide also omits reference to
NHTSA National EMS Education Guidelines
waiverorequivalency.Theseissuesshouldbeaddressedbythe
National EMS Education Standards and Instructional
appropriate agency.
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F30 on Emergency For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Medical Services and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F30.02 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Personnel, Training and Education. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 15, 2022. Published March 2022. Originally the ASTM website.
approvedin1990.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2013asF1256 – 13,whichwas Available from: http://www.ems.gov/education/EMSScope.pdf
withdrawn January 2022 and reinstated in March 2022. DOI: 10.1520/F1256-22. Available from: http://www.ems.gov/pdf/811077a.pdf
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1256 − 22
Guidelines—EMT Instructor Guidelines health care system. Emergency Medical Technicians’scope of
practice includes basic, non-invasive interventions to reduce
3. Terminology
the morbidity and mortality associated with acute out-of-
hospitalmedicalandtraumaticemergencies.Emergencycareis
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
based on assessment findings.
3.1.1 adjunct instructor—an individual with specialized
subject matter expertise who, on occasion, instructs a specific 3.1.12 emergency medical technician instructor—an indi-
topic of a curriculum under the direction of the course vidual who provides instruction in a training or education
instructor/coordinator. program for the EMT personnel. This term includes any
individual who functions as an adjunct instructor, clinical/field
3.1.2 associate instructor—an individual who possesses the
preceptor, practical skills instructor, associate instructor, or
qualifications and education/training of a course instructor/
course instructor/coordinator.
coordinator but, in a specific course, assumes a supportive or
assisting role to the course instructor/coordinator. This indi-
3.1.13 emergency medical technician (EMT) training
vidual may substitute for the course instructor/coordinator in program—a course of instruction that provides an individual
case of necessity or, in other courses, serve as a course
with the knowledge and clinical skills of emergency medical
instructor/coordinator. care necessary to function at a level of an EMT level of care.
Such courses include, but are not limited to, EMT training
3.1.3 basic life support—a level of pre-hospital emergency
programs.
medical care that includes any or all EMT procedures as
defined by the National Standard Curricula.
3.1.14 evaluation—the process of verifying clinical and
educational skills and knowledge competencies of an EMT
3.1.4 certification—current, formal approval by the appro-
instructor.
priate certifying agency to function at a specific level of
practice. This may also be referred to as approval or licensure. 3.1.15 instructor training program—an educational pro-
gram that provides a foundation of essential educational
3.1.5 clinical certification—a standardized process for
principles to assist individuals to instruct in, or coordinate,
evaluation and recognition of an acceptable level of compe-
EMTprograms. It shall, at a minimum, contain the elements of
tence in a specific aspect of patient care.
the NHTSA EMS Instructor National Standard Curriculum.
3.1.6 clinical experience—exposure to and practice in an
3.1.16 practical skills instructor—an individual who assists
area of patient care.
with practical skills instruction under the direction of the
3.1.7 clinical/field preceptor—an individual who supervises
course instructor/coordinator.
and evaluates the students during clinical or field experiences
3.1.17 qualification—a requirement which shall be met by
under the direction of the course instructor/coordinator.
an EMT instructor candidate prior to selection and practice as
3.1.8 course administrator—an individual responsible for
an EMT instructor.
managing administrative details of a course, separate from
actual instruction of the course.
4. Significance and Use
3.1.9 course instructor/coordinator (I/C)—an individual
4.1 Since the quality of EMT training depends, in large
who is authorized by the appropriate entity to present and
measure, on the instructional abilities and competencies of the
assess competence in all of the subject matter contained in a
EMTinstructor, it is imperative that the individual selected and
curriculum. This person also oversees all instruction in the
used in this capacity possess the qualifications and capabilities
course and makes final evaluations concerning student compe-
necessary to provide effective instruction.
tence.
4.2 An EMT instructor must possess clearly defined knowl-
3.1.10 course medical director—the licensed physician who
edge and skills competencies, have clearly defined responsi-
provides medical direction for all didactic and clinical instruc-
bilitiesandscopeofauthorityrelatedtoinstructionalprograms,
tion and clinical practice experience included in an EMT
and meet other specific requirements pertinent to the level of
training program.
instruction.
3.1.11 emergency medical technician (EMT) NHTSA—the
4.3 Using this guide, EMS institutions and organizations
primary focus of the Emergency Medical Technician is to
should be able to develop requirements for selection and
provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for
utilization of EMT instructors for EMT training and education
critically ill or injured patients who access the emergency
programs.
medical system.This individual possesses the basic knowledge
and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation.
BASIC LIFE SUPPORT INSTRUCTOR GUIDELINES
Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a compre-
hensive EMS response, under medical control. Emergency
5. Course Instructor/Coordinator
Medical Technicians perform interventions with the basic
equipment typically found on an ambulance. The Emergency 5.1 An individual shall be considered eligible to serve as an
EMT course I/C (instructor/coordinator) when requirements as
Medical Technician is a link from the scene to the emergency
outlined in 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 have been met by that individual.
5.1.1 Qualifications—Prior to entering the instructor train-
Available from: http://www.ems.gov/pdf/811077c.pdf ing program, the course I/C candidate shall:
F1256 − 22
5.1.1.1 Be at least a high school graduate or have a General 5.1.4.5 Shallteachthecurriculumasadoptedanddefinedby
Equivalency Diploma (GED), preferably a degree in a support- the appropriate certifying agency;
ive discipline; 5.1.4.6 Shall inform students of the criteria for successful
course completion;
5.1.1.2 Have pre-hospital patient care experience at least at
the level being taught; 5.1.4.7 Shall consistently monitor student progress toward
terminal course objectives and provide appropriate feedback to
5.1.1.3 Be certified at least at the level being taught;
the students within guidelines established by the appropriate
5.1.1.4 Demonstrate, at the level being taught, current
certifying agency;
competenceinandknowledgeofemergencycareoftheacutely
5.1.4.8 Shall uphold state and national clinica
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