Students

Wise County EMS is a preceptor site to several EMS programs and we welcome students and non-student 3^rd riders to ride out with us. We do ask that students and third riders follow a few guidelines when reporting to their assigned station for their ride-out. Please be aware that Wise County EMS is not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items that occur while on Wise County property or apparatus during the course of a 3^rd rider or student approved ride-out.

If you are interested in a non-student 3^rd rider ride-out please contact the on-duty shift Captain at 940-393-9720 to schedule the ride-out. Approval is dependent on multiple factors and you may be asked to reschedule at a different time at the discretion of the Captain. Wise County EMS makes no guarantee that you will be able to ride out at any time.

Policy:

Each participant will comply with all Local, State, and Federal rules and regulations with regards to patient care, scope of practice, and EMS Agency Operations including all WCEMS Policies and Procedures.

Definitions:

BLS Intern – a student currently enrolled, recently completed, or is currently certified in/as an Emergency Medical Technician or equivalent.

ALS Intern – a student who is currently enrolled in a Paramedic Training Program and has met the requirements outlined below to function as a Paramedic intern.

Preceptor – the EMS person who is directly supervising and/or educating the Intern as they are doing patient care.

Field Training Officer – the EMS person who has been granted FTO status by the WCEMS Chief or his/her designee.

Students:

All 3^rd riders will be scheduled through the Captain or the Schedule Coordinator and documented in the Crew Schedule Program

The uniform will be the uniform provided by the educational institute or as defined by WCEMS leadership. It is expected that the intern, at all times, be dressed professionally, neat, clean, and comply with WCEMS policy regarding hair, jewelry, and foot gear. Students who do not comply may not be allowed to complete their ride-out.

It is the responsibility of the student, not the preceptor/FTO, to ensure that any paperwork that needs to be completed on their behalf for their individual training program is done.

BLS Intern:

The scope of practice is limited to the scope of practice of an Emergency Medical Technician – Basic as defined by the Texas Department of State Health Services, if they have been trained to do so.

The Intern will NOT perform ALS procedures including, but not limited to, IV’s.

ALS Intern:

The scope of practice is limited to the scope of practice of a Paramedic as defined by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The Intern will NOT perform any ALS procedures that they have not been trained to do.

Other Status (Non-Student) 3^rd Riders:

Allowing 3^rd rider status to anyone, regardless of training/certification, is at the discretion of the Chief or his/her designee and 3^rd rider status can be revoked at any time for any reason.

Non-student 3^rd riders are observational only and will not be allowed to practice any patient care or skills regardless of training/certification status.

Non-student 3^rd riders must comply with all patient confidentiality requirements of HIPPA.

Non-student 3^rd riders must read, agree, and sign the WCEMS Waiver Agreement before they will be allowed to ride-out. (Student waiver releases are addressed through their contract between their program and WCEMS).

When on scene, for your safety the crew may ask that you remain with the apparatus rather than enter a scene. If asked to do so you must comply.

Non-student 3^rd riders should report for their ride-out prior to 0800. Non-student 3^rd riders may not remain on site beyond 2000 unless they are on a call at the time. Non-student 3^rd riders will not be allowed to remain on site for 24 hours.

Dress code for non-student 3^rd riders should consist of:

•  jeans or slacks (without holes) in navy, black, or khaki (no shorts, dresses, sweatpants, joggers, or tights/yoga pants/athletic wear please)
• closed toe shoes (preferably leather)
• shirt should be white, grey, black, or navy and should not have any messages on it (small company logos are ok); shirts should be button up or polo style if possible with long sleeve or short sleeve allowed (t-shirts may be allowed under certain circumstances at the discretion of the shift Captain)
• scrub pants with an appropriate shirt or scrub pants with matching tops are an acceptable outfit as well and may be in any color
• baseball caps and beanie style hats are allowed given that they do not contain any inappropriate message, logo, or picture (preferably in grey, navy, or black); no other type of non-essential head wear will be allowed

For the safety of the non-student 3^rd rider we recommend:

• that hair longer than shoulder length be placed in a pony tail or bun
• preferably rings should not be worn (unless silicone) to prevent finger injuries
• necklaces should remain inside the shirt or should not be worn
• We ask that you not wear bolos, neck ties, scarfs, or anything else around the neck that could pose a choking hazard.
• We ask that you not wear bracelets or any type of earring, nose ring, or body piercing other than studs.