In September of 2021, the CoAEMSP, in collaboration with the NREMT, announced the 2023 CoAEMSP Student Minimum Competency (SMC) Recommendations. These new recommendations, which can be found in the CoAEMSP Resource Library, highlight the new minimum competencies recommended for students enrolling in paramedic programs on or after January 1, 2023. Although the implementation date is January 1, 2023, programs may transition to the new ‘2023 SMC’ any time before that date (if approved by the Medical Director and endorsed by the Advisory Committee). For programs ready to create new courses using the new recommended minimums, we have created a template for easy setup within Platinum Planner.
One of the most notable changes in the 2023 recommendations is the new SMC meets the National Registry portfolio requirements. The CoAEMSP and NREMT have clarified that the new SMC document “encompasses the entirety of the National Registry portfolio requirements for documentation of ALS skills competency”. The CoAEMSP reiterated that “competent performance must be demonstrated over time in a variety of conditions” and the 2023 SMC recommends a variety of 1) age groups; 2) complaints and/or pathologies; 3) motor skills and; 4) environments, including lab, simulation, and live encounters. Using the 2023 SMC recommendations to track these competencies over time and a variety of environments creates a comprehensive portfolio for each graduate. Additionally, evaluation of the student’s formative learning will be decided by the program; the previous NREMT Paramedic Psychomotor Competency Portfolio (PPCP) skills evaluation sheets are no longer a requirement.
Another notable change is the number of recommended skills competencies and the simplification of the skills tables and columns. Skills Table 3 of the 2023 SMC lists lab skills in column 1 and clinical skills in column 2 - identifying any clinical skills that allow for simulation with an asterisk.
EMT competencies are listed in Table 5 of the 2023 SMC and, although verification of competency is encouraged, programs need only provide reasonable evidence of competency.
Another change worth highlighting is the elimination of Team Lead and Team Member performance evaluations within scenarios. The recommended simulations are now reflected in Condition Table 2 alongside the recommended formative exposures and competency evaluations for each pathology or complaint – again, clearly identifying any formative exposures or competency evaluations that allow for simulation. The students will still document a simulated experience but the requirement of documenting Team Lead and Team Member performances during a scenario is no longer required.
This article has only highlighted some of the more significant changes in the 2023 SMC Recommendations. To view the 2023 SMC Recommendations Excel document, go to coaemsp.org and visit their Resource Library. Within the CoAEMSP Resource Library, you can also view their FAQs, SMC Recommendations webinar, and SMC Recommendations Q&A webinar. We at Platinum Educational Group have also created a School Administrator video that goes over the 2023 SMC Recommendations and our new template for course setup using the new recommendations and a student documentation video that walks through the documentation of simulations, formative exposures, and competency evaluations. If you have any questions regarding the new course template and how it adheres to the new SMC recommendations, please use the blue Schedule Training link on your dashboard and select the Program Director (60 minutes) & Medical Educator Support (30 minutes) tab – we are always here to help!
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