EMT Scope of Practice
The following standards of practice are published as provided for in the Code of West Virginia, Article Four-C, Chapter Sixteen and West Virginia Division of Health Legislative Rules Title 64, Series 48.
This listing of procedures is intended as guidance for EMS personnel affiliated with and/or during employment with ambulance services, first responder, or rescue providers within the West Virginia EMS system.
Procedures listed must be authorized by duly engaged physician medical directors and must be performed according to written and published protocols and/or direct voice communication with a medical command center. Certain procedures may require direct verbal orders from medical command physicians.
Certified EMTs may perform all procedures and administer all medications contained in the current 6000 Series WV EMS System Protocols.
Medications authorized for administration by EMTs are:
- Activated Charcoal
- Albuterol
- Aspirin
- Epinephrine, 1:1,000 via EpiPen® or vial
- Nitroglycerin (Tablet or Spray)
- Oral Glucose Gel
- Oxygen
- Tylenol
Contact with Medical Command is generally required prior to administration with the following exceptions:
If contact with Medical Command is not possible, the following specific medications may be administered within protocol guidelines to save life or reduce morbidity:
- Aspirin
- Epinephrine 1:1,000 via EpiPen® or vial
- Oral glucose gel
- Oxygen
EMTs may also perform any procedure or administer any drug contained in the current 7000 (First Responder) or 9000 (Special Operational) Series Protocols.
EMTs may perform interfacility transports for patients requiring only those medical monitoring, procedures or medications contained in the 6000 Series WV EMS System Protocols.
When specifically trained, and the agency and regional medical director have specifically authorized, EMTs may also monitor non-medicated intravenous solutions during interfacility transports.
EMTs must have current practice privileges at a licensed West Virginia EMS Agency to function within this Scope of Practice.
The EMT can acquire and transmit 12-lead EKG tracings to Medical Command or appropriate medical facility. The EMT is only obtaining EKG data by obtaining the EKG tracing and is in no way authorized to interpret the data or tracing.
The EMT may, following completion of subject specific education taught through an approved Educational Institute and in conjunction with their agency medical director, draw Epi 1:1,000 from vial and administer through deep IM injection in the designated administration sites as outlined in the Epi-pen administration. This is the only Medication and IM administration option permitted for the EMT.
The EMT is permitted to transport, and monitor patients with a preexisting NG tube. The NG tube must be preexisting, cannot be established by EMT and must be clamped and not connected to suction during transport.