DiabeticParamedic
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I looked for months and months prior to my training for information on this topic and was unable to find any sort of straight answer or evidence to say that I am indeed eligible to become EMT, and it was extremely discouraging. I am writing this so that there is some sort of testiment to the fact that diabetic EMTS exist.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA, AND REGULATIONS MAY CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY (although CA is pretty much the most strict) I AM A REGISTERED EMT AND I ALSO HAVE AN AMBU DRIVER CERTIFICATION. While I am not currently working on an ambulance, I am fully eligible to drive and treat patients.
That being said these are the facts:
-Diabetics (both type 1 and type 2) ARE ABSOLUTELY eligible to receive EMT certification
-While EMT cert. can be obtained getting an ambulance drivers certificate is a whole different story, very difficult, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE
-You can be hired by an ambulance company as a non-driver, however employment opportunities are greatly reduced, and you will not be responding to 911 calls most likely
When I started my training, I was unaware that there is a clause in the department of motor vehicles medical examination report (DL-51) that clearly states:
(A person is eligible for Commercial licensure) ONLY IF that person has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus currently requiring insulin for control
With that being said, if you are type 2 and currently on regulatory medication and you do not require insulin, you are eligible for both EMT and the Ambulance Certification without having to jump through any hoops, as the law states only if you require insulin for Blood Glucose Control are you barred. (assuming you have a weight that is managable)
For all of my type 1's (like me) out there here is the first step in obtaining an AMBULANCE DRIVER CERTIFICATE
Call the number for the FEDERAL DIABETES EXEMPTION PROGRAM (yes it exists to everyones surprise) These people's jobs are literally to exempt people from things for having diabetes! the number is (202) 366-4001... Leave them a voicemail requesting the diabetes exemption packet and they will call you back and mail you the form in about 2 weeks.
After receiving the packet, it will ask you to do the following:
1. Get a an appointment with a certified M.D. (medical examiner), D.O., Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, or chiropractor (depending on state regulations on who can qualify people for driving, i dont know why you would see a chiropractor for this but in some states it works)
2. Have the doctor fill out the DL-51 AND the Green medical examiners card that is attached with you, which can be obtained from the DMV. The doctor will need to see a copy of your medical records dating back 5 years if he doesn't already have it on hand. The doctor will sign the green card by saying it is only good if the exemption goes through, therefore you cannot cheat the system and go straight to the dmv after. Obtain a signed letterhead from the doctor stating their license number, expiration, and date and signature.
3. The next step is to make an appointment with a BOARD CERTIFIED or BOARD ELIGIBLE ENDOCRINOLOGIST, if you see someone who isnt certified or eligible then it does not count. The endocrinologist will need to see your glucose logs for a few years back to ensure there are no large fluctuations. Any large fluctuations may hurt your chances of the FMCSA approving your exemption. ALSO if you have had more than 2 DOCUMENTED SEVERE HYPOGLYCEMIC EPISODES (defined as passing out, seizure, or period of impaired cognitive function requiring transport to the hospotial) then your chances are GREATLY reduced for getting exempted. (i have never had any severe) Next obtain a signed letterhead from the endocrinologist stating their license number, expiration, and date.
4. The next step is to see an optometrist, or ophthalmologist. He will take a normal vision test and sign you off if you pass. HE WILL NOT PASS YOU IF you have a decreased field of vision for any reason, or if your eyes are worse than 20/40 in both sides. Also I believe he will not pass you if you wear glasses due to diabetic problems OR if you have diabetic rhetinopathy. Obtain a letterhead from him with the same info as the endocrinologist and doctor.
5. ONCE ALL HOOPS HAVE BEEN JUMPED THROUGH you must mail the packet with all the doctors signatures and letterheads as well as a driving record AND medical record to the FMCSA, the address is on the packet.
You will receive a letter telling you that you either did not pass or you did pass. If you did not pass then I am sorry it is the end of the line for you as far as driving an ambulance goes.
6. Return to the glorious DMV and wait in the long line, give them a completed DL-51 and Medical Examiners card (green card) and give them your exemption letter.
Diabetes is a tough disease to deal with and if you believe for any reason that patient safety may be affected due to poor diet or insulin control at any time in your career then I would suggest not going into this field.
FOR ALL NON DIABETICS RESPONDING TO THIS THREAD:
Please keep your opinions regarding how unsafe and irresponsible it is to be a diabetic EMT to yourself, as they are only YOUR opinions. Although it is an everyday struggle, most diabetics are competent and maintain control of their levels pretty well, and it should not be a reason to keep you from doing what you want to do, especially if its helping people.
Thanks for reading
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA, AND REGULATIONS MAY CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY (although CA is pretty much the most strict) I AM A REGISTERED EMT AND I ALSO HAVE AN AMBU DRIVER CERTIFICATION. While I am not currently working on an ambulance, I am fully eligible to drive and treat patients.
That being said these are the facts:
-Diabetics (both type 1 and type 2) ARE ABSOLUTELY eligible to receive EMT certification
-While EMT cert. can be obtained getting an ambulance drivers certificate is a whole different story, very difficult, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE
-You can be hired by an ambulance company as a non-driver, however employment opportunities are greatly reduced, and you will not be responding to 911 calls most likely
When I started my training, I was unaware that there is a clause in the department of motor vehicles medical examination report (DL-51) that clearly states:
(A person is eligible for Commercial licensure) ONLY IF that person has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus currently requiring insulin for control
With that being said, if you are type 2 and currently on regulatory medication and you do not require insulin, you are eligible for both EMT and the Ambulance Certification without having to jump through any hoops, as the law states only if you require insulin for Blood Glucose Control are you barred. (assuming you have a weight that is managable)
For all of my type 1's (like me) out there here is the first step in obtaining an AMBULANCE DRIVER CERTIFICATE
Call the number for the FEDERAL DIABETES EXEMPTION PROGRAM (yes it exists to everyones surprise) These people's jobs are literally to exempt people from things for having diabetes! the number is (202) 366-4001... Leave them a voicemail requesting the diabetes exemption packet and they will call you back and mail you the form in about 2 weeks.
After receiving the packet, it will ask you to do the following:
1. Get a an appointment with a certified M.D. (medical examiner), D.O., Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, or chiropractor (depending on state regulations on who can qualify people for driving, i dont know why you would see a chiropractor for this but in some states it works)
2. Have the doctor fill out the DL-51 AND the Green medical examiners card that is attached with you, which can be obtained from the DMV. The doctor will need to see a copy of your medical records dating back 5 years if he doesn't already have it on hand. The doctor will sign the green card by saying it is only good if the exemption goes through, therefore you cannot cheat the system and go straight to the dmv after. Obtain a signed letterhead from the doctor stating their license number, expiration, and date and signature.
3. The next step is to make an appointment with a BOARD CERTIFIED or BOARD ELIGIBLE ENDOCRINOLOGIST, if you see someone who isnt certified or eligible then it does not count. The endocrinologist will need to see your glucose logs for a few years back to ensure there are no large fluctuations. Any large fluctuations may hurt your chances of the FMCSA approving your exemption. ALSO if you have had more than 2 DOCUMENTED SEVERE HYPOGLYCEMIC EPISODES (defined as passing out, seizure, or period of impaired cognitive function requiring transport to the hospotial) then your chances are GREATLY reduced for getting exempted. (i have never had any severe) Next obtain a signed letterhead from the endocrinologist stating their license number, expiration, and date.
4. The next step is to see an optometrist, or ophthalmologist. He will take a normal vision test and sign you off if you pass. HE WILL NOT PASS YOU IF you have a decreased field of vision for any reason, or if your eyes are worse than 20/40 in both sides. Also I believe he will not pass you if you wear glasses due to diabetic problems OR if you have diabetic rhetinopathy. Obtain a letterhead from him with the same info as the endocrinologist and doctor.
5. ONCE ALL HOOPS HAVE BEEN JUMPED THROUGH you must mail the packet with all the doctors signatures and letterheads as well as a driving record AND medical record to the FMCSA, the address is on the packet.
You will receive a letter telling you that you either did not pass or you did pass. If you did not pass then I am sorry it is the end of the line for you as far as driving an ambulance goes.
6. Return to the glorious DMV and wait in the long line, give them a completed DL-51 and Medical Examiners card (green card) and give them your exemption letter.
Diabetes is a tough disease to deal with and if you believe for any reason that patient safety may be affected due to poor diet or insulin control at any time in your career then I would suggest not going into this field.
FOR ALL NON DIABETICS RESPONDING TO THIS THREAD:
Please keep your opinions regarding how unsafe and irresponsible it is to be a diabetic EMT to yourself, as they are only YOUR opinions. Although it is an everyday struggle, most diabetics are competent and maintain control of their levels pretty well, and it should not be a reason to keep you from doing what you want to do, especially if its helping people.
Thanks for reading
I'm not diabetic myself, but I've worked with numerous partners that had IDDM. Never been a problem.
