TEXAS medics! I need your help!

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Rooster24

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ok first off, this is a state re-certification question, but it goes a little bit deeper than that...i'll give you the short and sweet.

2005 - became certified EMT-P, worked for 3 years, decided to join military
2008 - joined the military

Since joining the Navy, I have let my NREMT expire (not worried about that though) and in OCT 2010, my state cert expired (i DO want to keep this one though)...some of the many joys of being deployed for over 2 1/2 years of my current 3 years active duty.

I have all of my CE's done, as of late May 2011, but it says I need to do a skills proficiency form, according to TX DSHS. This is hard for me to do because, #1, i'm still deployed and will be until end of the year, and #2 my one year past my expiration date is coming up in October.

I need to keep it current - as I plan to go back on an ambulance once my tour is over with.

so....any suggestions? :blink:

Thanks!
 
The only thing I can think of is call up TxDH and tell them whats going on. Maybe they'll help you out, see if you can test your skills threw the Navy and send in the paperwork.
 
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I thought about that, but then I read it has to be through an accredited Texas state instructor...plus, no phones out here right now!
 
Rooster24 said:
I thought about that, but then I read it has to be through an accredited Texas state instructor...plus, no phones out here right now!
Click to expand...

TX DSHS EMS responds very well to email too. Maybe send them a letter (real paper) with a copy of your orders as proof you are where you are?
 
Texas should be able to put you on a suspended status- get in contact with DSHS and ask them how you can be helped. Get your NR back too.
 
Well, I hate to be the one to rain on your parade, but the State will NOT make an exception to this rule. You will have to get a skills proficiency check off from an EMS COORDINATOR, not an Instructor. In other words, you'll have to do it on site with a program coordinator. I had several expired flight medics who moved back to Texas without current NREMT and all had to go do their skills check off.

I spoke with Sylvia at TDSHS and was politely advised there is ZERO flexibility to the rule, including for military reasons.

Give it a shot and send them a letter, it can't hurt, but don't get overly optimistic.
 
That is what I was starting to think...I wouldn't really expect the state to have any leniency, but never hurts to ask for some!

I suppose I will see what they have to say about it...if its a no go, at least i had fun in medic school the 1st time, maybe the 2nd time will be better.
 
Alright...I think I might have some helpful info...

You are less than one year past expiration, so all hope is not lost.

According to the TDSHS website, you can renew an expired certification that is within one year past the date of expiration. You can renew this certification into "inactive" status. The fees are listed.

Once you renew into "inactive" status, the certification will officially expire 4 years from the date it is issued.

When you get back stateside and want to work, you will need to convert from "inactive" to "active." You will have to supply all the necessary CE hours, submit verification of skills proficiency from an approved program, and then pass the NR assessment exam, OR take a refresher and pass the NR exam and skills.

Here is the text from the TDSHS website:

Renew EXPIRED, active or inactive certification as inactive:

Submit inactive certification/licensure application, recertification/relicensure application for EMS personnel, late fees, as listed on application form, PLUS inactive administrative fee. If you are applying within 90 days after expiration date, your fee is one and one-half times the normal application fee (see application form for amount). If you are applying 91 days to one year past expiration date, your fee is double the normal application fee. The inactive status period will be effective for four years from the date of issuance.

Inactive status is only available up to one year past your current expiration date. After one year past the expiration date, you must comply with the initial certification/licensure application requirements.

So do the following:

Submit -
(a) "Inactive Certification/Licensure Application"
(b) "Recertification/Relicensure Application for EMS personnel"
(c) late fees (listed on application)
(d) inactive status fee (since you are past 90 days expired, it will be double the normal fee)

Then when you get back, submit your CEs, find an approved program to do a skills exam, pass the NR assessment, OR take an approved refresher course and pass the NR exam and skills.

Here is a link to the page where I found the info. Scroll nearly to the bottom and you'll find it.

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/emstraumasystems/recertinfo.shtm
 
Also, I will add, TDSHS has been very good about answering my e mails in a timely manner every time I have contacted them.

You can also generally speak with a live person whenever you call, and they are always more than helpful.

This is very rare for a government office. They seem like they are always willing to help if possible.
 
WTEngel said:
You are less than one year past expiration, so all hope is not lost.

According to the TDSHS website, you can renew an expired certification that is within one year past the date of expiration. You can renew this certification into "inactive" status. The fees are listed.
Click to expand...


If this is what it sounds like to me...will this make it where i don't have to travel all the way back to Texas to take a skills test before OCT, and just kind of put everything on pause? Then re-take NR test again when I want to become active again?

Also, I can't remember how it works...if you are NR certified, do you just fill out the forms to get state cert'd?

Big help yall, thanks!

P.S. Yamada taught me a lot while I was in school..that man is the real deal.
 
That's what it sounds like. Submit the forms and pay the fees to become inactve, keep up with your CEs, then when you get back take a refresher course and pass the NR skills and written. Then submit the forms to become active again.

The way it looks you won't have to do any testing until you get back stateside and decide to reactivate, as long as it is within four years of the date you became inactive.

There are a handful of medical directors who talk the talk and walk the walk. Dr. Yamada leads them all in my opinion.
 
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