UTSW/BioTel EMS System Policy: Initial Credentialing As a Paramedic

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to ensure consistency in the initial credentialing of paramedics to work in the UTSW/BioTel EMS system.

  1. Credentialing is the process whereby paramedics obtain system authorization to practice as paramedics within the UT Southwestern BioTel EMS system.
  2. EMTs and Paramedics must comply with Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) EMS certification or licensure rules in order to practice in the UT Southwestern/BioTel EMS system. State certification or licensure now requires successful completion of the National Registry of EMT (NREMT) examination.  
  3. Credentialing as a paramedic in the UT Southwestern/BioTel EMS System requires that an individual must EITHER:
    1. Successfully graduate from the UT Southwestern/El Centro College Paramedic program, successfully pass NREMT exams, and become certified or licensed in Texas.   Any individual who fails the NREMT written exam on the first time will also need to take and successfully pass the BioTel Guidelines Exam with a score of at least 75% once he/she has passed the NREMT exam.  Any student who fails the BioTel Guidelines Exam will need to meet with the Admission/Readmission Committee for directions. 

      -OR-

    2. Attend and successfully complete the UT Southwestern/BioTel Transfer Credentialing Course and successfully pass both a UT Southwestern BioTel Guidelines Exam and a Capstone Exam.  This option applies to individuals who graduated from a paramedic program other than UT Southwestern Medical Center. The passing score for these exams is a 75%.  For an individual who fails the UT Southwestern BioTel Guidelines Exam, one automatic retest is granted with a passing score of 80%.  Individuals who fail the Capstone Exam will need to request to meet with the Admission/Readmission Committee for directions. The individual awaiting the UT Transfer course can be credentialed on a probationary basis. He/she may function as a second or third paramedic, working under BioTel Guidelines, until he/she successfully completes the UT Transfer Course.  The paramedic in question will be able to participate as a second or third paramedic when responding to ALS calls, and to provide BLS care in the back of an ambulance, if a credentialed paramedic is unable to provide active patient care in the back of an ambulance.  
  1. Any individual who has failed to complete and graduate from the UT Southwestern/El Centro Paramedic Program on two attempts shall not be eligible for credentialing in the UT Southwestern BioTel/EMS system.  The UT Southwestern/BioTel Medical Direction Council may consider exceptions to this rule on an individual basis. The Council may choose to meet with the individual once he/she has successfully passed a paramedic course and NREMT exams.                                                                                                                                    
  2. Any graduate of the UT Southwestern/El Centro paramedic program who fails the first 3 attempts on NREMT written exam has one option to become certified in the UT Southwestern BioTel system:
    1. Reenter and successfully complete an initial paramedic class (all components)
  1. Admission to the UT Southwestern/BioTel Transfer Credentialing Course is limited to current paramedic employees of UT Southwestern/BioTel EMS system agencies who want to be credentialed to practice in the UT Southwestern/BioTel EMS system.  Individuals must be NREMT-certified in order to take the course, unless they became a paramedic PRIOR to the NREMT requirement in Texas and have maintained DSHS certification.