Past History - could it be a problem???

[Dineyrules]

If someone was trying to get into EMS to become an EMT maybe even on to a Paramedic will a felony (nonviolent/non-drug related) on their record prevent them from doing so? What documentation would they need to provide NREMT to allow them to obtain certifications as long as they pass the tests?

[CH47Doc]

Felony Conviction Policy

The NREMT will deny registration or take other appropriate actions in regards to applicants for registration or reregistration when a felony conviction has occurred. Decisions effecting eligibility will be based upon the following categories. Applicants may appeal decisions made by the Registry as outlined in the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Registry Disciplinary Policy.

EMT Certification – Criminal Convictions

Preamble

EMS practitioners, by virtue of their state licensure, certification, or national registration, have unsupervised, intimate, physical and emotional contact with patients at a time of maximum physical and emotional vulnerability, as well as unsupervised access to personal property. In this capacity, they are placed in a position of the highest public trust, even above that granted to other public safety professionals and most other health care providers. While police officers require warrants to enter private property, and are subject to substantial oversight when engaging in “strip searches” or other intrusive practices, EMTs are afforded free access to the homes and intimate body parts of patients who are extremely vulnerable, and who may be unable to defend or protect themselves, voice objections to particular actions, or provide accurate accounts of events at a later time.

Citizens in need of out-of-hospital medical services rely on the EMS System and the existence of state licensure/certification or national registration to assure that those who respond to their calls for aid are worthy of this extraordinary trust. It is well accepted in the United States that persons who have been convicted of criminal conduct may not serve as police officers. In light of the high degree of trust conferred upon EMTs by virtue of licensure, certification, or registration, EMTs should be held to a similar, if not higher, standard. For these reasons, the EMS certifying/licensing/registration agency has a duty to exclude individuals who pose a risk to public health and safety by virtue of conviction of certain crimes.

General Denial



Registration of individuals convicted of certain crimes present an unreasonable risk to public health and safety. Thus, applications for certification by individuals convicted of the following crimes will be denied in all cases.



Felonies involving sexual misconduct where the victim’s failure to affirmatively consent is an element of the crime, such as forcible rape.


Felonies involving the sexual or physical abuse of children, the elderly or the infirm, such as sexual misconduct with a child, making or distributing child pornography or using a child in a sexual display, incest involving a child, assault on an elderly or infirm person.


Any crime in which the victim is an out-of-hospital patient or a patient or resident of a health care facility including abuse, neglect, theft from, or financial exploitation of a person entrusted to the care or protection of the applicant.


Presumptive Denial

Applications for registration by individuals in the following categories will be denied except in extraordinary circumstances, and then will be granted only if the applicant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that certification will not jeopardize public health and safety.



Applications for certification by individuals who have been convicted of any crime and who are currently incarcerated, on work release, on probation or on parole.


Application for certification by individuals convicted of crimes in the following categories unless at least five years have passed since the conviction OR five years have passed since release from custodial confinement whichever occurs later:


Serious crimes of violence against persons, such as assault or battery with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and battery, murder or attempted murder, manslaughter except involuntary manslaughter, kidnapping, robbery of any degree; or arson.


Crimes involving controlled substances or synthetics, including unlawful possession or distribution, or intent to distribute unlawfully, Schedule I through V drugs as defined by the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act.


Serious crimes against property, such as grand larceny, burglary, embezzlement or insurance fraud.


Any other crime involving sexual misconduct.


Discretionary Denial

Applications for registration by individuals convicted of any crimes including DUI, but not including minor traffic violations may be denied after consideration of the following factors.



The seriousness of the crime.


Whether the crime relates directly to the skills of prehospital care service and the delivery of patient care.


How much time has elapsed since the crime was committed.


Whether the crime involved violence to, or abuse of, another person.


Whether the crime involved a minor or a person of diminished capacity.


Whether the applicant’s actions and conduct since the crime occurred are consistent with the holding of a position of public trust.

[firemedicgm]

A couple of points here...

First, the NREMT does not "certify" you to do anything. They are simply (as their name implies) a "registry". They simply indicate whether or not you passed their test, and became a member of their organization. Your state department of public health has the ultimate say over whether or not you are allowed to practice in your state as an EMT.

Second, depending on your state's regulations, you may be able to gain certification (or licensure, whichever your state calls it) to practice. I know of a convicted murderer who is now a practicing EMT in his state. I'm not saying it was easy for him to get certified, but he was able to. His murder conviction stemmed from a gang-related shooting, I believe, and he was one of the few who truly was reformed and had made many positive contributions to society since then. The director of the state's EMS bureau met with him personally several times before deciding that he would grant certification.

So, it will definitely be more difficult, but it can happen.

[Dineyrules]

A couple of points here...

First, the NREMT does not "certify" you to do anything. They are simply (as their name implies) a "registry". They simply indicate whether or not you passed their test, and became a member of their organization. Your state department of public health has the ultimate say over whether or not you are allowed to practice in your state as an EMT.

Second, depending on your state's regulations, you may be able to gain certification (or licensure, whichever your state calls it) to practice. I know of a convicted murderer who is now a practicing EMT in his state. I'm not saying it was easy for him to get certified, but he was able to. His murder conviction stemmed from a gang-related shooting, I believe, and he was one of the few who truly was reformed and had made many positive contributions to society since then. The director of the state's EMS bureau met with him personally several times before deciding that he would grant certification.

So, it will definitely be more difficult, but it can happen.
firemedicgm -

Thank you for your response! It gives me a lot of hope and motivation to continue on to obtain this goal. Eventually I want to become a paramedic. I know it is going to take a lot of hard work and perseverance to get through and I may have a few more road blocks then the average person but, it is something that I have wanted to do for a long time. Unfortunately, past circumstances along with my ex-husband have made things very difficult along the way. It is good to know that even though a person’s past may be a thorn in their side for a very long time at least they can continue on and not bleed to death from it!

[firemedicgm]

We've all had problems in our past that seem to haunt us throughout our lives, but if you're strong enough (and it sounds like you are) you won't let it discourage you. Don't give up. When you have obstacles to overcome, your victory is that much sweeter. You'll have a greater appreciation for what you have earned.

Good luck!

[Dineyrules]

Well I finished my EMT-B class at the end of April, I received my results from Indiana State and I passed my praticals with flying colors... I ACED them!!! I am still waiting on the National Registry to give me my final results. They sent me a letter a couple of weeks ago wanting more information about my past transgressions and I got that back to them the beginning of this month. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will accept me. I know I passed my test without any problems because I aced my class tests as well. I am just waiting..... and waiting for the NREMT to make their final decision. I will keep you posted.... THANK YOU for all of your support!

[RDog14]

Well done and keep up the good work.

As you move on with your EMS career I think you will find the people involved to be very compasionate and forgiving. I have seen services accept members with problems in their past. They will look past what you have done (we all make mistakes) if you have honestly moved on, and have honestly changed. Of course this will be case-by-case and based on a lot of variables and I don't intend to make it sound easy.

On the topic of honesty, when you apply, be upfront about your history when asked. Trying to hide it won't work.

The best of luck to you, and keep us posted.

-Rob

[LEMSBLS]

any news???

[firemancrash448]

hey would really like to talk to on this topic please feel free to email at following firemancrash_448@yahoo.com

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