ASTM F1256-90(1996)e1

e1
Designation: F 1256 – 90 (Reapproved 1996)
Standard Guide for
Selection and Practice of the Emergency Medical Services
Instructor for Basic Life Support/Emergency Medical
Technician (BLS/EMT) Training Programs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1256; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Keywords were added editorially in October 1996.
1. Scope life support training courses designed to prepare an individual
for certification to practice as an EMT (basic) or first responder.
1.1 This guide is intended to assist emergency medical
It does not apply to instructors who teach in specialized courses
services (EMS) agencies and institutions in selecting and
that do not in themselves qualify the individual for a level of
utilizing individuals who teach in EMT (emergency medical
EMT certification.
technician) training programs which include instruction in
1.8 This guide does not establish certification requirements.
basic life support knowledge and skills.
Such requirements should be established by the certifying
1.2 This guide identifies six categories of instructor in a
agency in the jurisdiction in which the BLS/EMT instructor
BLS/EMT (basic life support/emergency medical technician)
will function. This guide may be used to provide considerable
training program: adjunct instructor, clinical/field preceptor,
guidance to the jurisdiction responsible for establishing certi-
practical skills instructor, associate instructor, course
fication standards.
instructor/coordinator (I/C), and course administrator. The
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
guide recognizes that an individual may, depending on his/her
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
level of practice and the training program involved, function in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
any or all of these categories.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.3 This guide includes specific guidelines for qualifica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tions, training, education, experience, scope of authority, re-
sponsibilities, continuing education, evaluation, and mainte-
NOTE 1—Also see Practice F 1031.
nance of competency when applicable.
2. Referenced Documents
1.4 This guide does not include specific guidelines for the
course administrator or the adjunct instructor. While the guide
2.1 ASTM Standards:
recognizes, by offering a definition of each category, that these
F 1031 Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Tech-
types of individuals function in many BLS/EMT training
nician (Basic)
programs, the limited instructional roles played by these
3. Terminology
individuals precludes the need for specific selection and
utilization guidelines.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.5 This guide is intended to apply to any individual who 3.1.1 adjunct instructor—an individual with specialized
teaches in BLS/EMT training programs regardless of the
subject matter expertise, who, on occasion, instructs a specific
individual’s present level of clinical practice. topic of a curriculum under the direction of the course
1.6 This guide intentionally omits references to length of
instructor/coordinator.
prehospital care experience, teaching experience, and continu- 3.1.2 associate instructor—an individual who possesses the
ing education requirements. This guide also omits reference to
qualifications and education/training of a course instructor/
waiver or equivalency. These issues should be addressed by the coordinator, but, in a specific course, assumes a supportive or
appropriate agency.
assisting role to the course instructor/coordinator. This indi-
1.7 This guide applies only to instructors who teach in basic vidual may substitute for the course instructor/coordinator in
case of necessity or, in other courses, serve as a course
instructor/coordinator.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-30 on Emergency
3.1.3 basic life support—a level of pre-hospital emergency
Medical Services and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F30.02 on
Personnel, Training and Education.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1990. Published February 1990. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 13.01.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1256
medical care that includes any or all first responder and course instructor/coordinator.
EMT-basic procedures as defined by the National Standard 3.1.16 qualification—a requirement which shall be met by a
,
3 4
Curricula. BLS/EMT instructor candidate prior to selection and practice
3.1.4 basic life support/emergency medical technician (BLS/ as a BLS/EMT instructor.
EMT) training program—a course of instruction that provides
4. Significance and Use
an individual with the knowledge and clinical skills of emer-
4.1 Since the quality of prehospital BLS/EMT training
gency medical care necessary to function at a level of first
depends, in large measure, on the instructional abilities and
responder or EMT (basic) level of care. Such courses include,
competencies of the BLS/EMT instructor, it is imperative that
but are not limited to, first responder and EMT-basic training
the individual selected and used in this capacity possess the
programs.
qualifications and capabilities necessary to provide effective
3.1.5 BLS/EMT instructor—an individual who provides in-
instruction.
struction in a training or education program for prehospital
4.2 A BLS/EMT instructor must possess clearly defined
BLS/EMT personnel. This term includes any individual who
knowledge and skills competencies, have clearly defined re-
functions as an adjunct instructor, clinical/field preceptor,
sponsibilities and scope of authority related to instructional
practical skills instructor, associate instructor or course
programs and meet other specific requirements pertinent to the
instructor/coordinator.
level of instruction.
3.1.6 certification—current, formal approval by the appro-
4.3 Using this guide, EMS institutions and organizations
priate certifying agency to function at a specific level of
should be able to develop requirements for selection and
practice. This may also be referred to as approval or licensure.
utilization of BLS/EMT instructors for BLS/EMT training and
3.1.7 clinical certification—a standardized process for
education programs.
evaluation and recognition of an acceptable level of compe-
tence in a specific aspect of patient care.
BASIC LIFE SUPPORT INSTRUCTOR GUIDELINES
3.1.8 clinical experience—exposure to and practice in an
5. Course Instructor/Coordinator
area of patient care.
5.1 An individual shall be considered eligible to serve as a
3.1.9 clinical/field preceptor—an individual who supervises
BLS/EMT course I/C (instructor/coordinator) when require-
and evaluates the students during clinical or field experiences
ments as outlined in 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 have been met by that
under the direction of the course instructor/coordinator.
individual.
3.1.10 course administrator—an individual responsible for
5.1.1 Qualifications—Prior to entering the instructor train-
managing administrative details of a course, separate from
ing program, the course I/C candidate shall:
actual instruction of the course.
5.1.1.1 Be at least a high school graduate or have a General
3.1.11 course instructor/coordinator (I/C)—an individual
Equivalency Diploma (GED); preferably a higher education
who is authorized by the appropriate entity to present and
degree in a supportive discipline,
assess competence in all of the subject matter contained in a
5.1.1.2 Have prehospital patient care experience at least at
curriculum. This person also oversees all instruction in the
the level being taught,
course and makes final evaluations concerning student compe-
5.1.1.3 Be certified at least at the level being taught,
tence.
5.1.1.4 Demonstrate, at the level being taught, current
3.1.12 course medical director—the licensed physician who
competence in and knowledge of emergency care of the acutely
provides medical direction for all didactic and clinical instruc-
ill or traumatized patient to the satisfaction of the appropriate
tion and clinical practice experience included in a BLS/EMT
agency, and
training program.
5.1.1.5 Demonstrate to the instructor training agency, read-
3.1.13 evaluation—the process of verifying clinical and
ing and language skills commensurate with resource materials
educational skills and knowledge competencies of a BLS/EMT
to be utilized in the BLS/EMT training program.
instructor.
5.1.2 Education/Training/Experience—The course I/C can-
3.1.14 instructor training program—an educational pro-
didate shall:
gram that provides a foundation of essential educational
5.1.2.1 Have served as a practical skills instructor, clinical
principles to assist individuals to instruct in, or coordinate,
or field preceptor, and successfully completed a supervised
BLS/EMT programs. It must, at a minimum, contain the
probationary teaching experience in a BLS/EMT training
elements of the DOT EMS Instructor National Standard
program at the level to be taught to the satisfaction of the
Curriculum.
appropriate agency,
3.1.15 practical skills instructor—an individual who assists
5.1.2.2 Have advanced clinical certifications, provider or
with practical skills instruction under the direction of the
intructor, or both, as appropriate for the curriculum being
taught,
Emergency Medical Services, First Responder Training Course—Instructor’s
5.1.2.3 Be certified as a CPR instructor according to the
Lesson Plans (U.S. DOT/NHTSA Report No. DOT HS 900–, 1984).
current standards as promulgated by the American Heart
Emergency Medical Technician—Ambulance: National Standard
Curriculum—Instructor’s Lesson Plans (U.S. DOT/NHTSA Report No. DOT HS
Association or the American Red Cross,
900–, 1984).
5.1.2.4 Become familiar with appropriate record keeping
Emergency Medical Services Instructor Training Program: A National Standard
processes for students, sponsoring agency, or state EMS
Curriculum—Instructor’s Lesson Plans, First Edition, 1986 (U.S. DOT/NHTSA
Report No. HS 900–086, February 1986). agency, or both, and
F 1256
5.1.2.5 Successfully complete an instructor training pro- 5.1.5.1 Analysis of student outcomes,
gram that includes the knowledge and skills objectives con- 5.1.5.2 Classroom observation of the I/C, and
tained in the DOT Instructor Curriculum. 5.1.5.3 Review of students’ course evaluations.
5.1.3 Scope of Authority—The course I/C shall have the 5.1.6 Maintenance of Competency—In order to maintain
competency, the course I/C shall:
authority to:
5.1.3.1 Conduct BLS/E
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