Utah

2011 Information
Office of the Director
Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
Utah Department of Health
P.O. Box 142004
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2004
801/273-6666, 800/284-1131
health.utah.gov/ems

EMT-Basic. Hours of training: 120. Certification requirements: Successful course completion, and demonstration of all objectives in National Standard Curriculum—EMT-Basic. Formal recommendations by a certified course coordinator and medical director and passing written and practical examinations. Also require criminal background investigation, TB test and submission of all appropriate fees. Recertification requirements: Every four years complete 100 hours of continuing medical education and successfully pass both a written and practical test.

EMT-Intermediate. There are two levels of Intermediate: Intermediate and Intermediate Advanced. Intermediate requires 53 hours of training, which includes IV therapy, advanced airway including endotracheal intubation, and limited medications. Intermediate Advanced requires successful course completion and demonstration of all objectives in National Standard Curriculum—EMT-Intermediate (1999) and a formal recommendation by both certified course coordinator and medical director. This course is competency-based and requires passing written and practical examinations, criminal background investigation and submission of appropriate fees. Recertification requirement: Every four years complete 100 hours of defined continuing medical education, skills sign-off by physician advisor, and successfully pass all testing requirements.

EMT-Paramedic. Hours of training minimum: 1,260. Certification requirements: Successful course completion and demonstration of all objectives in National Standard Curriculum—EMT-Paramedic (1999); successful completion of all clinical, field and laboratory rotations; formal recommendation by both certified course coordinator and medical director; pass written and practical examinations. Recertification requirements: Every four years complete 100 hours of defined continuing medical education, skills sign-off by physician advisor, successfully pass all testing requirements; current ACLS, PALS/PEPP training; and pass written and practical examinations. Also requires criminal background investigation, TB test, and submission of all appropriate fees.

Responsible certification agency. Utah Department of Health, EMS Bureau.

Reciprocity. Reciprocity for applicants certified outside of the state of Utah will be based on the following considerations: 18 years of age; provide the department with a current copy of EMT certification; provide proof that the certifying course meets the training standards established by the department, including meeting all necessary objectives of the National Standard Curriculum, and successfully complete the department’s written and practical exams. Requires verification of continuing medical education hours, TB exam and submission of all appropriate fees.

Salary ranges: Paramedic: $39,500/yr.

Number of licensed ambulance vehicles (public and private) in the state: 454.

Numbers of EMS personnel: Currently state-certified Basic EMTs, 7,340; Intermediate EMTs, 3,527; Intermediate Advanceds, 58; Paramedics, 1,669; dispatchers, 776.

Numbers of EMS services: Fire department, 42; city/county, 29; private ambulance service, 3; hospital-based ambulance,5; law enforcement/public safety, 3; air ambulance, 11; industrial, 3; tribal 1; quick response units, 53.

Number of requests for EMS in the most recent available 12-month period: About 200,000.

Statewide uniform ambulance reporting form: Yes. Form is turned in to a central data-gathering office.

Description of statewide data-gathering system: All designated and licensed EMS agencies are required to provide data on all EMS incidents. Current legacy electronic submission is being replaced with Web-based data collection system. Utah also collects emergency department and trauma data from all acute care hospitals. Utah has successfully linked prehospital, emergency department and inpatient data in the past. We have also implemented a trauma registry.