ARSD 20:61:02:02. Educational requirements -- Subjects covered

The board shall approve a program of study for a critical care or flight paramedic that focuses on providing patient care in the pre-hospital, inter-hospital, and hospital settings. The program must include courses on: (1) Critical care transport methods and safety; (2) Assessing and packaging a critically ill patient for safe transport; (3) Demonstrating skill competencies while performing: (a) Surgical and needle cricothyrotomy; (b) Chest tube insertion; (c) Pericardiocentesis; (d) Central venous access; and (e) Focused assessment with sonography for trauma exams and intraosseous access; (4) Analyzing and interpreting diagnostic laboratory and x-ray results; (5) Identifying and managing blood and blood products and the following common critical care medications: (a) Antibiotic; (b) Anticoagulant; (c) Antiepileptic; (d) Immunological; (e) Vasoactive; and (f) Fibrinolytic; (6) Interpreting invasive and noninvasive hemodynamic pressures, waveforms, and values; (7) Maintaining patients on an intra-aorta balloon pump and left ventricular assist device in a transport setting; (8) Understanding the purpose and maintenance of (a) Chest tubes; (b) Central lines; (c) Intravenous pumps; (d) Medication pumps; and (e) Hemodynamic monitoring devices and equipment; (9) Recognizing proper mechanical ventilator settings, modes, and parameters; (10) Applying a ventilator with proper settings; and (11) Assessing and managing common critical care conditions in all patient populations.