OEC and EMS Certifications
Pennsylvannia Ski Patrol Con-Ed Credits
From: Member Information & Services Team

 
Greetings!

This is a follow-up letter to the one sent on January 2010.
 
I am writing to you to clear up a few matters regarding Continuing Education Credits (Con-Ed), for your OEC and EMS Certifications. My office (MIST@paskipatrol.org) has been receiving questions about this subject, and I hope to answer these questions for all of you in this broadcast email.
 
You may already know about the following information, but I would like to review it with you just to make sure you understand what your annual responsibilities are.
 
Most of your annual re-certification process is automatically handled by your Region and/or Patrol Director, however, it is "YOUR" responsibility to check your records to make sure you have received the Con-Ed credits to your profile.
 
OK, this email is a bit long winded, so hang in there, get a cup of coffee and bear with me.... I want to show you what to do in a step by step discussion format.
 
So with coffee in hand.... here we go !
 
OEC
 
First lets start by discussing OEC Requirements.
 
As an OEC Technician, you are required to attend a OEC Refresher Cycle once a year in order to re-certify your OEC Certification. Upon completion of three cycles (A,B,C), you are issued a new OEC Certification Card by the NSP National Office.
 
OEC Refreshers may be taken anywhere, but it is up to you to make sure you receive credit for attending the refresher. Most of us attend a local refresher, or a regional refresher, and the certification process is completed without further paperwork requirements on your part by the IOR (Instructor of Record).
 
When attending the refresher out of area, NSP provides a special sign-off in the back of your OEC Refresher Guide. It is up to you to get the IOR to sign this as your receipt for attending that refresher along with the IOR's signature on the back of your OEC Card. This sign-off is then given to your patrol director as proof of your attendance of that refresher. Your refresher records are sent to the National Office and posted to your profile.
 
So how can you check to make sure your records are properly recorded with the national office?
 
You can do this simply by checking your NSP Profile and your OEC Status. This can be done by visiting the National Ski Patrol WEB Site at nsp.org logging into your member profile. This is where you can update your address, phone number, and most important your email address.
 
To do this:
 
  • Click on www.nsp.org 
  • Click on Member Services
  • Enter your 6 digit NSP Member Number
  • Enter your password
  • If this is your first time, click on "Trouble Logging on ?" and it will take you to another screen to set up a password
  • Next click on "Member Resources"
  • Next Move your cursor over "Educational Info" and click on "Your Education Information"
  • Next you will see "Course Information" and below that, your OEC Certification Date, followed by the Refresher dates for the A, B, C Refreshers attended.
  • For this year, you should have an entry in the "B" Cycle showing the date of 2009.
  • If you received a new OEC Card with a Certification date of 2009, then your A,B,C will be blank.
  • If you did NOT receive a new OEC Card and the "B" Cycle is blank, and you attended a Cycle B Refresher, please notify your patrol director so that this refresher cycle can be updated to your account. 
  • If your patrol director needs help with this, have "HIM/HER" contact the NSP OEC office for assistance.
 
Remember this is your responsibility to make sure your records are properly updated.
 
EMS
 
Next we come to your EMS Con-Ed Certification.
 
Since I do not know your current EMS Status, bear with me while I explain the following;
 
This section is only if you have the following certifications:
 
  • EMR - First Responder (Emergency Medical Responder)
  • EMT - Emergency Medical Technician
  • EMT-P - Paramedic
  • PHRN - Nurse
  • PHMD - Medical Doctor
Note: Without the above certifications you are not provided with protection through PA-DOH ACT 45. Additional information can be found on our web site about the certification process. (www.paskipatrol.org)
 
Most of the questions our office receives pertains to EMR - First Responders, I will address this subject in detail.
 
IF you applied for EMS-First Responder, your application was processed by this office and submitted to PA-DOH (PA-Department of Health) for you. This certification was approved by the PA-DOH based on your current OEC certification. This certification is between you and the PA-DOH and is your responsibility to maintain Con-Ed credits in order to keep this certification current or it will expire.
 
As a First Responder, attending one OEC Refresher Cycle per year, will meet the Con-Ed requirements for the EMR - First Responder Certification.
 
*** This is "ONLY" true if the OEC Refresher course you are attending is registered with the DOH. If the refresher was not registered with the PA-DOH, you will need to make a copy of your OEC card and present it to your regional EMS office for con-ed credit. Currently we are approved for 7.5 hours of con-ed credit per OEC Refresher Cycle.
 
If you are a EMT or higher certification, you will be required to attend additional con-ed classes depending upon the certification held.
 
OK, So how do I check my records with DOH ?
 
  • Click Here - https://ems.health.state.pa. us/emsportal 
  • Enter User Name
  • Enter Password
  • Click Log-In
  • Click "Edit Profile Information" to check and update your personal information.
  • Click Save to Update and Exit to Main Menu
  • NEXT
  • Click "Continuing Education Record"
  • Check your address and email record (Update if Necessary)
  • Check CPR Information - If Blank, see below
  • Check Certifications
  • Check Continuing Education Record
  • Click "Print Status Report" - This report will show all your Con-Ed Courses attended. If you are missing information, it is your responsibility to have record updated. Our office can help you with this process if necessary.
  • After viewing, click Applications to return to main menu or click Log Out to Exit.
 
  •  Why are my Con-Ed Credits missing ?
    • One reason is incorrect data. When we upload your data and your date of birth is incorrect it will bounce. DOH uses the DOB as a data check during the upload process.
    • Another reason is your name may have changed but your DOH profile has not been updated.
    • Another reason is that you attended a refresher that was NOT registered with the PA-DOH. In this case you need to submit your refresher certifications to your local EMS Regional office.
    •  Our office is here to assist you with this, but we cannot "DO IT" for you
 
 
CPRCPR
 
There is a lot of discussion about the CPR cards, Certification, and Re-certification.  
 
  • Your are required to have CPR-PRO with AED CPR Certification.
  • When your CPR Card is issued, it is valid for two years.
  • The National Office (NSP) requires you to "REFRESH" your CPR skills annually.
  • Some patrols handle this process by re-certifying CPR annually, while other patrols re-certify one year, followed by a CPR refresher the second year. This certification process is totally up to your local patrol policy.
  • No matter how your patrol handles the CPR Certification process, you are required to possess and current CPR Card in your possession along with your other medical provider certification.
  • The PA-DOH requires you to personally copy front and back of your "CURRENT" CPR Card and submit it to your local Regional EMS Office every time a new card is issued.  
  • It is your responsibility to obtain this document and keep it current.
  • It is your responsibility to have this document submitted to your local EMS Regional Office in order to have a valid EMS Certification.
  • Our office can assist you with this process, but we cannot "DO IT" for you.
     
 
I hope this answers the questions most of you have.  Should you have additional questions, we would prefer you to email us with your questions. Please include the following information within your email:
  • First & Last Name
  • NSP Number
  • EMS Number and certification level ( FR, EMT, EMT-P, Etc)
  • Daytime phone number
  • Your question(s)
 
We will promptly assist you 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Wolfgang Boernert
Member Information & Service Team
 
1-800-979-9916 - Office
1-800-993-9687 - Fax