Continuing Education (Con-ed/CE) Defined:
Continuing Education for EMS providers is defined in EMS Rules and Regulations as “those learning activities intended to build upon the education and experiential basis of pre-hospital EMS personnel for the enhancement of practice, education, administration, research or theory development, to strengthen the quality of care provided.”
Con-ed is a method used by many healthcare professionals to maintain licensure or certification. Continuing education credits in Pennsylvania are categorized as either “Clinical Patient Care and Core (formerly known as medical/trauma)” or “Other.”
The Difference between “Clinical Patient Care/Core” and “Other”:
Clinical patient care/core education focuses on the care, including assessment, of an individual who is believed to be sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated and helpless and in need of immediate medical attention. Clinical patient care con-ed includes all clinical aspects of patient care.
Topics such as response planning, legal aspects, communications, documentation, hazardous materials, emergency vehicle driving, or other operational issues are considered con-ed in the “other” category.
PA EMS Registry - View Your Con-Ed Credits Any Time:
The PA EMS Registry System is a web-based application where each EMS provider’s certification related information is securely managed by the PA Department of Health. This is their official record of certification information for providers. This program includes providers’ official con-ed records including CPR dates.
Providers are encouraged to access their certification information. Access is available 24-hours a day, seven-days a week.
https://ems.health.pa.gov/registry/
Con-Ed Opportunities:
Con-ed can be completed a variety of ways: classroom settings through an approved con-ed sponsor, online through Train PA, or con-ed by endorsement.
Train PA:
Train PA is the online learning management system for EMS providers to complete continuing education. When an EMS provider successfully completes a PA approved class on Train PA, the system will automatically apply the continuing education credits into the EMS provider’s record in the PA EMS Registry.
To get started or continue taking education on Train Pa, click the following link:
If you experience an issue with logging into Train PA please contact your Regional EMS Council for assistance.
Con-Ed by Endorsement:
The Con-Ed by Endorsement process allows Pennsylvania EMS providers to receive continuing education credit for courses not normally registered as PA Department approved continuing education classes. Con-Ed by Endorsement can be applied for EMS or medical conferences and lectures or con-ed classes taken through websites or other venues in or outside Pennsylvania.
To receive Con-Ed by Endorsement, please go to your provider account in the PA EMS Registry. Under the con-ed tab of your provider record, scroll to the bottom of the page. Click on add con-ed by endorsement. Scroll back to the bottom of the page and enter information about the class attended. The text fields with information must be entered. In addition, a copy of the certificate or transcript must be uploaded. The EHSF Education Department will evaluate the content and apply the appropriate total of con-ed credits.
CPR Requirement:
A PA DOH approved and current CPR card is a required to be on file in the state EMS Registry for your EMS certification. Upload your CPR information in your provider profile in the PA EMS Registry: https://ems.health.pa.gov/registry/
Please note, not all CPR courses are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The Importance of Accurate Contact Information:
It is the provider’s responsibility to keep their legal name and address current with the regional EMS council. Providers must report name or address changes to the regional EMS council within 30 days of any change. It is also important to maintain an accurate telephone number and e-mail address so regional staff can contact providers regarding certification status.
