(1) The secretary of the department of health, in conjunction with the advice and assistance of the emergency medical services licensing and certification advisory committee as prescribed in RCW 18.73.050, and the commission, shall prescribe:

     (a) Practice parameters, training standards for, and levels of, physician trained emergency medical service intermediate life support technicians and paramedics;

     (b) Minimum standards and performance requirements for the certification and recertification of physician's trained emergency medical service intermediate life support technicians and paramedics; and

     (c) Procedures for certification, recertification, and decertification of physician's trained emergency medical service intermediate life support technicians and paramedics.

     (2) Initial certification shall be for a period established by the secretary pursuant to RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280.

     (3) Recertification shall be granted upon proof of continuing satisfactory performance and education, and shall be for a period established by the secretary pursuant to RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280.

     (4) As used in chapters 18.71 and 18.73 RCW, "approved medical program director" means a person who:

     (a) Is licensed to practice medicine and surgery pursuant to chapter 18.71 RCW or osteopathic medicine and surgery pursuant to chapter 18.57 RCW; and

     (b) Is qualified and knowledgeable in the administration and management of emergency care and services; and

     (c) Is so certified by the department of health for a county, group of counties, or cities with populations over four hundred thousand in coordination with the recommendations of the local medical community and local emergency medical services and trauma care council.

     (5) The Uniform Disciplinary Act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs uncertified practice, the issuance and denial of certificates, and the disciplining of certificate holders under this section. The secretary shall be the disciplining authority under this section. Disciplinary action shall be initiated against a person credentialed under this chapter in a manner consistent with the responsibilities and duties of the medical program director under whom such person is responsible.

     (6) Such activities of physician's trained emergency medical service intermediate life support technicians and paramedics shall be limited to actions taken under the express written or oral order of medical program directors and shall not be construed at any time to include free standing or nondirected actions, for actions not presenting an emergency or life-threatening condition.

[1996 c 191 § 55; 1996 c 178 § 6; 1995 c 65 § 3; 1994 sp.s. c 9 § 316; 1992 c 128 § 1; 1990 c 269 § 18; 1986 c 68 § 1; 1983 c 112 § 2; 1977 c 55 § 3.]

NOTES:

     Reviser's note: This section was amended by 1996 c 178 § 6 and by 1996 c 191 § 55, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

     Effective date -- 1996 c 178: See note following RCW 18.35.110.

     Severability -- Headings and captions not law -- Effective date -- 1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.

     Severability -- 1990 c 269: See RCW 70.168.901.