Top Ways to Make Accreditation Easier While Making Your Program Better

By Joanne Piccininni, EdD, NRP, MICP, and D. Troy Tuke, BSN, RN, NRP

We know our fellow paramedic education program directors are short on time.  And as CoAEMSP board members, we know there are so many ways to  maximize and streamline the accreditation process to make your program better.  Here’s our quick list of tips:

Annual report

• Utilize CoAEMSP staff if you have any confusion regarding which cohort data to report at which time. CoAEMSP staff are a great resource.
• The Analysis and Action Plan areas can be used to reflect on any gaps or need for evolution of the program’s processes.

Site visit

• The executive analysis is a blueprint for a successful visit. Review it with the site visitors in advance so you know what to expect. Then just follow the process, one step at a time.
• For your first site visit, it’s a lot. It takes time to figure it all out.
• Ask CoAEMSP for help. They want you to succeed. This is not a game of “gotcha.”
• Connect with other program directors.  Don’t be afraid to ask your peers for advice.

Surveys – Student, Graduates, and Employers

• Set up the survey in Survey Monkey or Google Forms. Use the CoAEMSP templates.  
• Text or email – it’s mobile friendly and can be completed quickly.
• Current students – survey at terminal competency exam.
• Graduate survey – text graduates the link 6-12 months after graduation.
• Employers – explain the “why” behind the information requested – it helps completion rates and quality of information go up.

Clinical coordinators

• Depending on the size of your program, separate the role of clinical coordinator from lead instructor.  It’s typically too much for one person to do both jobs.
• The clinical coordinator does not need to be a full-time job and can be a shared responsibility, but it does need to have someone dedicated to it.
• The clinical coordinator builds important relationships with clinical sites. They can also get feedback from students regarding the experience – what worked, and how to make it better. This is invaluable. But you must make sure somebody has time to do this well.

Medical Director

• This can be the most challenging aspect of directing a program. 
• Propose a timeline of regular engagement with the program. Options include lectures (or specific portions of a lecture), round table discussions, case reviews, and time with students during MD shifts.
• Empower the MD to be a bridge between the program and clinical affiliates.
• Engage the MD throughout the cohort – the more face time with students the better.  Avoid engaging them only when there is a problem.

Administration

• Engage with Administration regularly, make sure they understand that your shared goal is student success.
• Share key findings from the Resource Assessment Matrix (RAM), Annual Report, Graduate and Employer Surveys, and other program assessment strategies; show them what’s working and where you need help.
• Leverage the  advisory committee to foster engagement with the program’s communities of interest.

Educational Resources & Information

• Many resources are available on the CoAEMSP website in the Resource Library.
• Monitor your email for important information from CoAEMSP including updates in the e-Newsletter.
• Attend or view the many webinars offered by CoAEMSP on accreditation topics.
• Consider attending ACCREDITCON to take a deep dive into AEMT and paramedic program accreditation. It’s also a great place to meet and network with other program directors.

Anything we missed?  Let CoAEMSP know – we are here to help.  We are proud to serve on the CoAEMSP Board of Directors because we believe accreditation is a valuable tool to make your program stronger.  And CoAEMSP is ready to be your partner every step of the way.

About the Author

Joanne Piccininni, EdD, NRP, MICP, has spent 30 years in various roles within the EMS community, currently serving as program director of the Paramedic Science Program at Bergen Community College in New Jersey. D. Troy Tuke, BSN, RN, NRP, is the program director for the Paramedic Program at MountainView Hospital Paramedic Institute in Las Vegas. The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians sponsors both on the CoAEMSP Board.