PMA News

Anniversary

This newsletter marks the first anniversary of PMA news and the entire staff of Professional Medical Associates would like to take this opportunity to thank all the service directors, hospital managers, and preceptors for their assistance in the past year. As PMA moves into its third year, we look forward to continuing to work with all of you. On behalf of our students thank you!

PMA On-Line Support Now Available

Well, the long-awaited on-line support and information system has been launched. The Professional Medical Associates Web Site is now available at www.promedics.org for your perusal. We are looking for more suggestions on what to include and what would be beneficial to our preceptors and practicum partners. The intent is to provide on-line reference and continuing education for our students and the preceptors of our practicum sites.

The first prototype programs are near completion, though the site is being geared up for a facelift in the near future. If all goes well, you will be surfing to the improved site by the time you get this newsletter.

You can reach any of the staff by email, even download copies of PMA News on-line with links to other parts of the site for you to visit. Feedback on the site is encouraged, and comments can be sent to james@promedics.org.

PMA Continues To Answer the Needs of Practitioners

EMT-Paramedic Completer Program

The EMT-Paramedic Completer Program recently celebrated its beginnings. The EMT-Paramedic Completer Program forms the final link in the seamless curriculum from EMR through to EMT-P available from Professional Medical Associates.

The goal of the program was to develop a program that did not repeat previously learned information and granted students with credit for employment and previous work experience. The result is a program that allows EMT-A practitioners with 3 to 5 years experience to move to be EMT-P practitioners. Other pre-requisites include member in good standing with APPA as an EMT-A; preference to those working with EMT-Paramedics in an ALS Service; certification in 12(1) skills; two letters of recommendation; and BCLS within the last year. The goal of the program was to not repeat information and skills previously learned and used as EMT-A practitioners.

By removal of repetitious practicums and courses, the length of the program can be reduced while including sufficient new information and skills for the graduates to function at the ALS level. The program received equivalency from APPA in September of 1996.

Another important difference in the PMA program, aside from the total length of the program, is the ability of the students to maintain current employment while still upgrading their education. The program is presented in a series of blocks with each session building on the previous session to ensure adequate retention of material. The PMA EMT-P Program is developed around an assessment based treatment and is presented in a system format. The program includes completion of certification programs such as BTLS (Advanced), ACLS, PALS and BCLS. The program will also include a dispatching program as well as vehicle extrication to better prepare the graduate to return to their prospective services. Following the completion of the theory portion of the program, the students will complete both hospital and ambulance rotations. The hospital practicum will consist of 480 hours and the ambulance practicum will be a minimum of 480 hours.

Program faculty possess a wide range of educational experience including experience as former instructors with other post-secondary institutions in Alberta. The program's strength relies on small instructor to student ratios to maximize practical experience, and ensuring instructors are readily available should questions arise or the students require additional assistance. The students are able to contact the instructors via e-mail to request information, ask questions, and to review important portions of the program. The anticipated graduation date for the EMT-Paramedic Completer Program is October 1997.

EMT-A Program Feedback

Recently another round of program feedback surveys were returned from our preceptors and Service Directors. The surveys form a portion of the Quality Improvement Program of Professional Medical Associates to ensure our graduates meet the needs of the ambulance profession, and that they are prepared for their hospital and ambulance rotations.

The results are extremely positive, and we would like to thank the preceptors for taking the time to assist us in improving our program even further. With the assistance of our preceptors and our Quality Improvement Program, Professional Medical Associates can continue to work to improve upon the 90% success rate of our graduates on the Provincial Registration Examinations.

There were a total of 52 surveys completed and returned to the office. The surveys and comments were reviewed, and it was clear from the survey and comments that the program has been very well received by our ambulance and hospital preceptors. There were 2 areas preceptors identified would be beneficial to further explore. The first area was PCR documentation, and the second was medical terminology. These areas will be improved in future programs, thanks to the assistance of our preceptors. Areas such as airway management, medical patient assessment and management and basic cardiac life support were identified as the strengths of the program.

The survey also asked a number of questions to ensure our graduates were well prepared. A short sample of numerous responses are as follows:

	"I have precepted probably 15 students and I would have to say your student was the most prepared."
	"Students arrive well prepared to run a call even with 12-1's! Great!"
	"Generally I feel PMA students come to practicum sites more prepared didactically. Students also present as more confident and competent with their skills."
	"In comparison with other EMT-A programs, there were no complaints about the lack of skill in integrating 12-1 skills into their work."
	"Good program with knowledgeable, competent graduates."
	"The student was well prepared and eager to get on with hospital practicum."
	"I found my student to have an excellent base of knowledge with all 12-1's and his EKG interpretation was certainly above that of any students I have precepted in the past."

Final arrangements are soon to be complete for our next EMT-A programs. The programs are scheduled to start in the first two weeks of March 1997 and registrations are currently being accepted for the EMT-A selection process. The purpose of the selection process is to select currently employed EMR practitioners with the highest chance of successful completion of the program, and demonstrate ability to utilize their new skills as EMT-A practitioners. The objective of the EMT-A Bridging program from Professional Medical Associates has always been to provide currently employed EMRs with the opportunity to move to the next level, and be employed EMT-A practitioners supplied with the 12(1) skills as a part of the program. As changes in health care continue, the need for rural services to provide 12(1) skills continues to increase. This identified need was addressed by PMA, and we look forward to working with our rural service partners as we enter into the new year. Potential sites include Sylvan Lake, Nameo, or Bon Accord. We are also in discussions with services to host the EMT-A Completer Program in one site in Southern Alberta. Final site selection is based on the number of applicants from those sponsoring the program to maximize employability on graduation.

The selection process involves completion of a multiple choice examination, completion of a trauma scenario, and a personal interview for each applicant. Applicants must also supply a copy of their APPA EMR registration card, BCLS - Level C within the previous 6 months, and resume detailing work and educational experience.

Other supporting documentation includes letters from current EMS related employers and other registered practitioners.

To date, the selection process has been extremely successful. In fact over 95% of our EMT-A students successfully complete the program. The next EMT-A selection process will be held February 21st to the 24th, 1997 in our St. Albert office.

Applications must be returned to the office no later than February 7, 1997. EMR practitioners that have not received their application package are invited to contact the office to request a package, and ensure they are on the mailing list.

Four days were required for testing as there has been an overwhelming response throughout the province to our programs. Selections will be arranged on a first come, first served basis.

Update on EMT-A (Bridging) Program

Killam/Castor

The Killam and Castor programs have been completed and our graduates recently completed the APPA Provincial Examination. A total of over 30 graduates have now attended the process and we are pleased to report that over 90% of Professional Medical Associates' graduates successfully completed the process. This points to the commitment of our students, their preparedness, and particularly to the work of our preceptors to ensure our graduates were up to the test.

As a part of our on-going commitment to excellence, we have created a feedback survey and sent them to our ambulance and hospital preceptors. We were interested in determining how the students were prepared for their practical rotations, how they compare to other programs, and what their employability was as graduates from our programs. Results are available in the following section of this newsletter for review. From the surveys, it is clear that the program seems to be well accepted and that our graduates maintain a strong edge in employability. Though most of our EMT-A graduates will be working for the same services they were working for as EMR practitioners, it is important for us to know how they fair in the competitive market. Feedback surveys are also being sent to our graduates to determine how they viewed the examination process, how well they were prepared, and if there are any areas we need to concentrate on more for upcoming programs.

Our appreciation once again to all our practicum partners in both ambulance and hospital. Your support has assisted our students to become practitioners that can return to their communities and serve them well with their new education, knowledge and experience. Thank you to all preceptors that returned the program feedback sheets. The results of the survey assist us to maintain our programs and continue to produce graduates that fill the needs of the ambulance profession.

Leduc

The latest EMT-A Completer Program theory component has recently completed using Leduc as a centre, and having students travel from a variety of communities to move from EMR to the EMT-A level with the additional health services, the Section 12(1) skills. The students are currently completing their practicums. The support we have received from the clinical sites has been extremely positive, and so have the experiences the students have been reporting to us.

Grande Cache

The Grande Cache program started in October, 1996 and should finish the first weekend of April. The Grande Cache course required a new schedule, and PMA adapted the delivery to meet the needs of our students.

EMR and EMT Refresher Programs

The EMR and EMT-A refresher programs have been well received by students and service directors alike. The programs review both theoretical and practical information provided in initial programs. The focus on practical application of information, with the use of home study modules, reduces the time required to review information in practical sessions. The programs can be offered either on site or from our offices, depending on the needs of our clients. The next refresher program is running in St. Albert starting in March. Contact the office for information, or call the support line at (800) 571-5355.

Medic First Aid and CPR courses

PMA continues to expand the range of programs available to our students and assisting organizations. With the assistance of Grant MacEwan Community College, Professional Medical Associates has moved into First Aid and CPR training. The Medic First Aid Family of programs was selected based on the instructional methods used, and the concentration on practical application and creation of a positive environment that makes learning fun and interesting. The philosophy parallels what PMA strives for with our ambulance profession programs.

Medic First Aid programs are becoming increasingly popular in rural Alberta. Flexible scheduling is one of the cornerstones of PMA and continues with the MFA programs. Courses can be arranged to suit the needs of our clients, and clients are invited to contact the office for available dates and a detailed proposal and outline. Currently scheduled program dates and times are available 24 hours a day in verbal or facsimile format from the 24 hour support line at (800) 571-5355.

Practicum Partnership Program

With our third group of EMT-A Completer students recently completing their practicums, the practicum PMA partnership program continues to gain support and popularity among the service directors of the province.

The rationale was always simple, give back to the community and organizations that continue to support our students. The sincere appreciation of PMA, on behalf of our students, goes out to our current ambulance practicum partners including Wetaskiwin EMS, Cold Lake Ambulance Service, Yellowhead Ambulance (Edson), Crown EMS (Leduc), East Central Ambulance (Castor), Associated Ambulance (Drayton Valley), Hanna and District Ambulance Service, Guardian Ambulance (Ponoka), Strathcona Emergency Services (Sherwood Park), Knutson's Ambulance (Sylvan Lake), Wainwright Ambulance Service, and Camrose Ambulance. On behalf of our students we would also like to express our appreciation to our latest practicum partners - City of Calgary EMS, High River EMS, and the Medicine Hat Ambulance Service. We continue discussions with the many other services that have expressed interest in working together on practicum partnerships. More details about our newest partners will be available in future editions.

With the ambulance practicum is also the extremely valuable experience provided to our students during their hospital practicums. The students report the sites have been extremely supportive during our regular visitations and calls. The hospital preceptors have been very helpful as the EMT-A students hone their skills to make the successful transition from EMR to EMT-A with 12(1) skills. Our sincere appreciation goes out to all our preceptors, directors and sites that make the program such a success. Sponsoring organizations include Stony Plain Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital (Camrose), and Leduc Regional Hospital. We would also like to express our appreciation to our new hospital sites - Red Deer Regional Hospital, Lacombe Regional Hospital, Slave Lake Regional Hospital and the Cold Lake Regional Hospital. For those currently assisting our students, our sincere appreciation for your commitment and we look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial partnerships.

PMA will be subsidizing some of the costs for upcoming courses as a token of appreciation for the work our preceptors have done throughout the year. We are also looking at holding an ACLS and/or BTLS (Advanced) course later in the year for our EMT-P preceptors and services, tentatively March or April. For more information, watch upcoming newsletters or call the office.

24 hour support line

With the exception of the on-going update of information, the 24 hour support line is up and running. The line can be used by all callers to receive information on program dates and times, be instantly connected to the practicum facilitator at no charge, leave messages for any of the staff, or receive information from the facsimile on demand system. The intent is to ensure we remain accessible 24 hours a day to our students, preceptors and ambulance and hospital partners.

Preceptor Appreciation Awards

The draw date for the latest award was December 31, 1996, and is a free weekend on our preceptor appreciation ski trip April 4 - 6, 1997. Keep your eyes out for future editions of PMA news or call the office for more information. Congratulations to the winner of the preceptor appreciation awards goes out to Todd Richards of the Cold Lake Ambulance Service and Jackie Boisvert of the Stony Plain Hospital.

Our preceptors add an extremely valuable perspective for the students and allow them to gain their confidence. The program is structured to reward those that have committed themselves to their student and learning. Preceptors are a very valuable asset for our students and the PMA commitment is to ensure preceptors have all required support, where and when they need it. PMA has taken the information from our preceptors to develop an appreciation and support program that benefits all three parties, the service, the preceptors, and most importantly, our students.

PMA Preceptor Appreciation Events

The latest event to be added to the list of Preceptor Appreciation program is the annual ski trip. PMA has arranged for special rates for our preceptors as a token of appreciation. We are currently looking at a trip to Whitefish, Montana. Service directors, preceptors, and students are welcome to join us for what we expect will be an enjoyable weekend, and a well-deserved break for the hard work of all of our preceptors over the past 18 months.

For more details, contact the office. The trip is currently being planned for April 11, 12 and 13th, 1997. We hope you are able to join us and look forward to seeing all of our preceptors, service and hospital practicum partners, and former and current students as well.

EMR Refresher Program

The EMR Refresher Program offers an excellent opportunity for practitioners to review practical skills.

The refresher program has 4 individual components, and reviews the majority of skills from the initial EMR course. The practical sessions reviews the highlights of the material, and concentrates on putting the information into practice. Call the office for more information, or try the 24 hour information line at (800) 571-5355.

Section 12(1) Program

Registrations are currently being accepted for the next 12-1 program from Professional Medical Associates. The course will be run January 31, February 1 and 2, 1997 in Castor, Alberta in conjunction with the East Central Ambulance Association. The program reviews the 12(1) skills through a combination of reading and study assignments, theoretical review and practical sessions. The course includes a student workbook and textbook that covers the intermediate skills for the EMT-A.

Space is limited and a few openings are still available. There will also be a 12(1) program for St. Albert in April, exact dates will be confirmed in the next newsletter. Call the office for registration information and specific details.

EMR course update

PMA is pleased to announce the conclusion of our latest programs, and assisting a number of smaller communities to set up initial response organizations for their communities while awaiting the ambulance.

We are currently accepting registrations for the next EMR programs in Calgary and St. Albert starting the second week of February.

We are also scheduling our rural courses starting in the spring throughout the province. Contact the office for specific details, or try the 24 hour support line at (800)571-5335.

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