Pressing Issues: Q&A with D. Randy Kuykendall

Training is great for entry-level EMTs, but it’s not enough for paramedics. The most significant steps we as an industry have taken in the past two decades is to require paramedic program accreditation. As of January 2013, to sit for the National Registry paramedic exam, you have to demonstrate you have graduated from an accredited program. That is going to move our paramedic-level education into the world of education. In the 30-plus years I’ve been in the industry, it’s a huge positive step to improve and increase the level of education and to provide a truly rounded practitioner at the paramedic level.

Jenifer Goodwin is an associate editor for Best Practices in Emergency Services.