Tb questions!

Working in a correction facility would mean that you aren't covered nor protected by EMS treatment protocols and scope of practice. This is an issue that needs to be addressed with your correctional facilities medical office and the medical director for the facility. I highly doubt that contacting your local office of EMS would produce any tangable results.
 
JPINFV said:
Working in a correction facility would mean that you aren't covered nor protected by EMS treatment protocols and scope of practice.
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That would also depend whether it is state or Federal. Federal facilities may not have to abide by certain state regulations that dominate TB testing. This is true for other healthcare professionals as well.
 
Last two points sum it up well.

If it is federal, may not matter at all.

If it is state or local, you still aren't practicing as an EMS provider inside the facility (unless the facility licenses a first responder unit or something with the state, which I doubt). Instead, you are a healthcare professional, acting under the protocols and guidance of the medical director at the facility.

That being said, if you have or receive formal education in the provision of these TB skin tests, and approval from your medical director, you should be able to do it. That is, unless you are actually working for a licensed EMS provider - in which case you'd be restricted by the state scope of practice.
 
redcrossemt said:
Last two points sum it up well.

If it is federal, may not matter at all.

If it is state or local, you still aren't practicing as an EMS provider inside the facility (unless the facility licenses a first responder unit or something with the state, which I doubt). Instead, you are a healthcare professional, acting under the protocols and guidance of the medical director at the facility.

That being said, if you have or receive formal education in the provision of these TB skin tests, and approval from your medical director, you should be able to do it. That is, unless you are actually working for a licensed EMS provider - in which case you'd be restricted by the state scope of practice.
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That again depends on your state policy. Most states require a licensed staff member to administer and read the test.

Example for Florida:

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Disease_ctrl/tb/guidelines/TB5-TBSkinTesting.pdf
 
JPINFV said:
Working in a correction facility would mean that you aren't covered nor protected by EMS treatment protocols and scope of practice. This is an issue that needs to be addressed with your correctional facilities medical office and the medical director for the facility. I highly doubt that contacting your local office of EMS would produce any tangable results.
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I am hired as a EMT-B...i don't understand why my scope of practice changes though nor my protection? The correctional facility contracts out the medical work to a private company. Its is the company i work for, essentially i am a contractor for the county correctional facility.
 
VentMedic said:
That would also depend whether it is state or Federal. Federal facilities may not have to abide by certain state regulations that dominate TB testing. This is true for other healthcare professionals as well.
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Its a county correctional facility, not federal facility. We do receive federal inmates while they are being held sometimes.
 
redcrossemt said:
Last two points sum it up well.

If it is federal, may not matter at all.

If it is state or local, you still aren't practicing as an EMS provider inside the facility (unless the facility licenses a first responder unit or something with the state, which I doubt). Instead, you are a healthcare professional, acting under the protocols and guidance of the medical director at the facility.

That being said, if you have or receive formal education in the provision of these TB skin tests, and approval from your medical director, you should be able to do it. That is, unless you are actually working for a licensed EMS provider - in which case you'd be restricted by the state scope of practice.
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Your first paragraph i think explains everything well. We don't have a first responder...i have had poeple transported before, we have the local fire search and rescue serve the correctional facility for any ambulance transports. I am confused a little bit though, I am hired as a EMT-B, how can i not be practicing as a EMS provider?

I am just so confused...
Is there some website or someplace where i can actually reference this the part about being a healthcare professional, acting under the protocols and guidance of the medical director at the facility (since i work for corrections). Not saying that you are making anything up.


I am not working for a EMS provider (you mean like ambulance companies right? and the fire dept?) in regards to your second paragraph. I don't believe i have received any "formal" education in planting the tests. The paramedic who works their just showed me one day, and she was taught by the nurse who used to work at the facility in regards to planting. For reading the TB plants however we did have a RN from the DHS health department come to your facility and give a seminar on how to read the plants.


Thanks everyone for shedding light and providing your input. I hope this helps others too!
 
I don't know what state you are in so I can not pull up the regulations for you but it is relatively easy to do. Each state should have a Public Health Department and/or a site for TB information. On it will generally be information about TB testing and a list of providers what can perform administer the test and who can read it. It would be rare that an unlicensed healthcare provider could do both. Your employer will also have to maintain records regarding your license, education and training. Thus, it would be in their best interest to confirm this. There should also be a P&P for this procedure that clearly explains who can and what is requireed.
 
VentMedic said:
I don't know what state you are in so I can not pull up the regulations for you but it is relatively easy to do. Each state should have a Public Health Department and/or a site for TB information. On it will generally be information about TB testing and a list of providers what can perform administer the test and who can read it. It would be rare that an unlicensed healthcare provider could do both. Your employer will also have to maintain records regarding your license, education and training. Thus, it would be in their best interest to confirm this. There should also be a P&P for this procedure that clearly explains who can and what is requireed.
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i am in oregon

i have found this

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/tb/index.shtml

there is a ppt for "TB Control in Correctional Facilities"

i cant find anything about the levels of health care practitioners and who can and cant do it.

What is P&P?
 
P&P is Policies and Procedures.

While they may have hired you because of your experience or licensure as an EMT, you are not working under the EMT scope of practice and state protocols because you are not working for an EMS provider or under an authorized medical director or medical control authority or zone.
 
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