EMS: EMT Scope of Practice Change

Date: Oct. 13, 2009

To: EMS Agency Managers and Medical Directors, County Public Health Officers, All other interested parties

From: Ritu Sahni, MD, MPH – EMS/Trauma Program Medical Director

The Oregon Medical Board has passed temporary rule change today regarding vaccinations. As a reminder, the OMB creates the Scope of Practice that governs Oregon First Responders and EMTs while the Public Health Division certifies regulates and certifies these individuals.

The new temporary rule allows EMT-Intermediates and EMT-Paramedics to provide seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccinations to the general public until June 2010. In addition, it allows EMT-Is and Ps to distribute medication as part of a public health distribution plan. As a temporary rule, this rule goes into effect immediately. As usual, all activity requires Medical Director protocol/standing orders.