Governor Steve Beshear signed an emergency regulation creating the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) today in Frankfort. This action is a culmination of efforts by and the support of Governor Beshear; Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo; Shelby County Judge Executive Rob Rothenburger, KBEMS Chairman; along with the Board of EMS to move Kentucky EMS progressively into the future. Charles M. O’Neal, KBEMS Executive Director stated “This action is a positive step forward in advancing the quality of pre-hospital care for the Commonwealth and will assist in increasing the availability of advanced level pre-hospital practitioners across the State.” The regulation creates a certification, recertification, reciprocity and reinstatement process for those individuals desiring accreditation as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician. It also creates education and testing requirements for individuals seeking credentialing as an Advanced EMT. Although not trained to the level of a Paramedic, the Advanced EMT is able to provide a more restricted number of procedures but still includes advanced level skills such as intravenous access, administration of a limited cadre of medications and provide advanced airway procedures for patients needing such procedures as a part of their care.

O’Neal went on to say, “The Advanced EMT will fill the huge void between EMTs and Paramedics and give EMS professionals a stepping stone between the two levels of credentialing. In time, the creation of the Advanced EMT will assist in the alleviation of the shortage of Paramedics by allowing EMTs to progress towards licensure as a Paramedic a step at a time.” KBEMS has authorized two Advanced EMT pilot programs to be conducted, one in Bullitt County and the other in Jessamine County. Individuals that have completed these programs have either already completed or are in the process of completing testing through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians in order to obtain their Kentucky credentialing. The Advanced EMT is one of the levels of credentialing being recommended at the federal level as a part of the Emergency Medical Services Scope of Practice curriculum changes due to take effect in 2010.

Chairman Rob Rothenburger stated, “ I am absolutely elated to see this take place. It has been a goal of mine for some time and I am deeply appreciative of the assistance provided by our Executive Director and other staff to bring the Advanced EMT to reality.” The emergency regulation, which has been followed with a regular regulation, takes effect immediately but will not allow for certification of individuals, other than those participating in the two pilot programs, until after January 31, 2009. O’Neal stated that “This was done in order to allow the Board staff the time to develop the administrative paperwork and databases needed to support the new credentialing level and to allow for field evaluation of the students from the pilot programs.”

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