Recruitment and Retention of EMS Personnel
In Virginia
Adapted from a Presentation at the 2009 Virginia Rural Health Summit
Virginia’s State Rural Health Plan (SRHP)
3 – 5 year strategic planDesigned to strengthen the current and
future rural health infrastructure in VA First SRHP developed in 2000.Code of VA ( 32.1-122.07) requires SRHP
to be revised as necessary and as required.
SRHP and EMS
Emergency medical services (EMS) encompasses the initial stages of the emergency care continuum. It includes emergency calls to 9-1-1; the dispatch of emergency personnel to the scene of an illness or trauma; and the triage, treatment, and transport of patients by ambulance and air medical service.
OEMS participated in Rural Health Strategic Planning Summit held in Staunton, VA in July 2007.
SRHP and EMS (cont.)
Recommendations for updated SRHP released in 2008 were developed by four workgroups: access, quality, workforce and data/rural definitions.
OEMS staff participated on Workforce and Data/Rural Definitions workgroups.
EMS is a sub-committee of Access Council (access to quality, affordable and accessible health care services)
EMS related recommendations in SRHP
Hold rural EMS Summit to address rural EMS issues, including Availability of EMS and who is responsible EMS leadership and management (Budget Model
Workshop, Rural EMS Managers Awareness program, etc.)
EMS integration into rural health care infrastructure. Begin discussions on how to identify areas
where EMS is a major issue/trouble spot Present and disseminate findings from
2007/2008 CAH EMS assessments.
Projected Impacts/Outcomes
Results of Summit will lead to development of a white paper detailing parameters of rural EMS in VA.
Results of Summit will lead to development of EMS legislative package for 2010 session of VA General Assembly.
Recommendations from CAH EMS assessments will assist in strengthening existing EMS structures.
EMTs Dominate CertificationsEMTs account for 70% of all EMS certifications. The second largest category is Paramedics at 10%
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
EMT-B
Paramedic
Intermed
iate
Enhan
ced
First R
espon
der
Distribution of Certified EMS Personnel
Affiliation of Certified Personnel by EMS Agency Type
Volunteer33%
Government32%
Industrial2%
Non Profit1%
Commercial4%
Federal2%
Non Affliated26%
EMS PersonnelYears of Service
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37
Years
# o
f P
rovi
der
s
10
2009 Rural EMS Summit Priorities
EMS Agency Leadership and Management
Local Government Involvement/Accountability
Recruitment and RetentionResource Management EMS Dispatch
11
2009 Summit Priorities (continued)
Quality of EMS Education and Training Evidence and outcome based patient care Initial EMS Education Fee for Service/Revenue Recovery EMS Continuing Education Expanded Scope of Practice
12
Virginia EMS Recruitment and Retention Website www.vdh.virginia.gov/oems/recruitment_retention/index.htm
Source for programs relate to Recruitment and Retention of EMS personnel: Getting the Best…Keeping the Best Series EMS Recruitment and Retention Network Virginia EMS Jobs website
Office of Emergency Medical ServicesVirginia Department of Health
Gary R. Brown, [email protected]
Scott Winston, Assistant [email protected]
1-800-523-6019 (toll free in VA)
www.vdh.virginia.gov/oems