PHECC Strategy

Council Functions; Objective 2


To ensure pre-hospital emergency care providers achieve and maintain competency at the appropriate performance standard.

Strategies
  • Develop and implement a National Examination for Emergency Medical Technicians at the completion of new entrant training.
  • Develop and implement a process for recognition of qualifications in Emergency Medical Technology obtained outside the state – initially at Emergency Medical Technician level.
  • Explore Council’s authority to implement an analogous process for recognition of qualifications in Emergency Medical Technology obtained within the state.
  • Explore the development and implementation of a "PHECC register" of holders of the National Qualification in Emergency Medical Technology and associated provisions encompassing:
      • Code of Practice
      • Clinical Audit
      • Training/Mentoring
      • Record Keeping
      • Continuing Professional Development requirements
      • Fitness to Practice
  • Review proprietary courses of a national standard that are relevant to pre-hospital emergency care and incorporate them as appropriate in the Continuing Professional Development process.
  • Develop and implement a National Examination for Emergency Medical Technician Advanced, Emergency Medical First Responder and Emergency Medical Controllers.
  • Ensure congruence with EU Directives and position Council to become a designated Competent Authority.
  • Persue recognition of the National Examination and the National Qualification in Emergency Medical Technology in other jurisdictions.
  • Explore the feasibility and merit of awarding a National Qualification in Emergency Medical Technology to medical practitioners.
  • Ensure the voluntary sector is incorporated into these strategies as appropriate.


Overseas Qualifications

Recognition of Equivalence of Professional Qualifications obtained outside the State.


The accreditation process for the recognition of equivalence of qualifications of non-nationally trained EMTs is carried out to protect the public and ambulance service providers by ensuring that applicants meet the current PHECC EMT standards.

The process consists of 3 phases:
  1. Communications – English language skills, both oral and written;
  2. Recognition of EMT training – supported by verifiable evidence of training and experience, with the content and duration of training measured against the current PHECC EMT standards;
  3. Clinical practice assessment – to ensure competence in current Irish clinical practice;
To date there have been 53 applications, broken down as follows:

   APPLICATION STATUS  
   Active 17  
   Inactive / Dormant 6
   Successful / Completed 18  
   Unsuccessful 8  
   Withdrawn 3  
   Fraudulent 1