Arizona

Terry Mullins, Bureau Chief
Bentley Bobrow, MD, Medical Director
Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System
150 N. 18th Ave., Ste. 540
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602/364-3186, 800/200-8523
Fax 602/364-3566
www.azdhs.gov/bems

EMT-Basic: Skills include: Ability to recognize medical, environmental, obstetrical, traumatic and surgical emergencies; obtain and interpret diagnostic signs and symptoms; CPR; bandage and splint; administer O2; care for behavioral emergencies; assist in childbirth; extricate, lift, move, position and handle patients; apply MAST; use automatic/semiautomatic defibrillators; assist patients with medications (epinephrine pen, nitroglycerin tablets, prescribed bronchodilating inhalers); IV monitoring; and blood glucose monitoring. Hours of training: Certification, 125 hours minimum; recertification, 32–34.5 hours minimum. Certification requirements: Successful completion of Bureau-certified course; pass practical and written National Registry examinations. Recertification requirements: In-state applicants: Evidence of re-registration with the National Registry or successful completion of an EMT-Basic refresher course that meets the requirements described in the Arizona EMT-Basic Refresher Curriculum dated July 22, 1994; and acceptable health status form. Must recertify every two years.

EMT-I(99): Skills include: All Basic EMT skills, plus airway management via endotracheal intubation, EOA and cricothyrotomy; gastric suction; peripheral IV fluid therapy; intraosseous infusion; administer medications as approved by the Bureau; phlebotomy; needle thoracostomy; manual defibrillation; synchronized cardioversion. Hours of training: Certification, 400 hours minimum; recertification, 60 hours minimum. Certification requirements: Successful completion of Bureau-certified course and National Registry examinations. Recertification requirements: Must recertify every two years. Sixty credit hours of continuing education with minimum requirements determined by the Bureau, and recertification recommendation form signed by base hospital medical director and prehospital manager.

EMT-Paramedic: Skills include: All Basic and Intermediate EMT skills, plus IV therapy via central routes. Hours of training: Certification, 1,000 hours minimum, didactic plus clinical/vehicular time; recertification, 60 hours minimum. Certification requirements: Successful completion of Bureau-certified paramedic program, and pass National Registry examinations. Recertification requirements: Must recertify every two years. Sixty credit hours of continuing education with minimum requirements determined by the Bureau.

Responsible certification agency: Arizona Department of Health Services. This certification group includes a physician.

Reciprocity: EMT-Basics certified in good standing in another state who have National Registry certification will receive a six-month temporary card and must complete an Arizona EMT-B refresher course prior to receiving an additional 18 months. EMT-I(99)s certified in good standing in another state who have National Registry certification must take an Arizona ALS refresher course to receive a two-year certification. EMT-Paramedics certified in good standing in another state who have National Registry certification will receive a six-month temporary certification card and must complete an Arizona ALS refresher course prior to receiving an additional 18 months.

Salary ranges: Basic EMT: $20,000–$30,000 yr.; Intermediate EMT: $20,000–$30,000/yr.; Paramedic: $30,000–$50,000/yr.

Number of licensed ambulance vehicles (public and private) in the state: 820 ground; 99 air (33 fixed-wing and 66 rotor-wing).

Numbers of EMS personnel: Currently state-certified Basic EMTs, 11,094; currently state-certified Intermediate EMTs, 43; currently state-certified paramedics, 5,167.

Numbers of EMS services: Fire district (paid), 41; private nonprofit, 6; private for-profit, 22; city/town, 13; county, 1; hospital, 1; air ambulance, 17; industrial, 2; military, 1; Native American health services, 4.M

Federal/government funding: None.

State funds allocated to run state EMS office: None.

Unique funding methods: Funding of $2.7 million from assessment on civil, criminal and local ordinance violations.

Important changes and developments within the last year: Launched the Premier EMS Agency Program, which is an EMS quality improvement program dedicated to improving the care provided to our state’s emergency medical patients. Arizona designated five rural Level IV Trauma Centers, and designated as a Level I Trauma Center, Arizona’s only stand alone pediatric hospital.

Job outlook/areas of greatest need: Rural areas.