WAC 246-976-920   Medical program director.  (1) The MPD must:

     (a) Be knowledgeable in the administration and management of prehospital emergency medical care and services;

     (b) Provide medical control and direction of EMS/TC certified personnel in their medical duties, by oral or written communication;

     (c) Develop and adopt written prehospital patient care protocols to direct EMS/TC certified personnel in patient care. These protocols may not conflict with regional patient care procedures or with the authorized care of the certified prehospital personnel as described in WAC 246-976-182;

     (d) Establish protocols for storing, dispensing, and administering controlled substances, in accordance with state and federal regulations and guidelines;

     (e) Participate with the local and regional EMS/TC councils and emergency communications centers to develop and revise regional patient care procedures;

     (f) Participate with the local and regional EMS/TC councils to develop and revise regional plans and make timely recommendations to the regional council;

     (g) Work within the parameters of the approved regional patient care procedures and the regional plan;

     (h) Supervise training of all EMS/TC certified personnel;

     (i) Develop protocols for special training described in WAC 246-976-021(5);

     (j) Periodically audit the medical care performance of EMS/TC certified personnel;

     (k) Recommend to the department certification, recertification, or denial of certification of EMS/TC personnel;

     (l) Recommend to the department disciplinary action to be taken against EMS/TC personnel, which may include modification, suspension, or revocation of certification;

     (m) Recommend to the department individuals applying for recognition as senior EMS instructors.

     (2) In accordance with department policies and procedures, the MPD may:

     (a) Delegate duties to other physicians, except for duties described in subsection (1)(c), (k), and (l) of this section. The delegation must be in writing;

     (i) The MPD must notify the department in writing of the names and duties of individuals so delegated, within fourteen days;

     (ii) The MPD may remove delegated authority at any time, which shall be effective upon written notice to the delegate and the department;

     (b) Delegate duties relating to training, evaluation, or examination of certified EMS/TC personnel, to qualified nonphysicians. The delegation must be in writing;

     (c) Enter into EMS/TC medical control agreements with other MPDs;

     (d) Recommend denial of certification to the department for any applicant the MPD can document is unable to function as an EMS provider, regardless of successful completion of training, evaluation, or examinations; and

     (e) Utilize examinations to determine the knowledge and abilities of IV technicians, airway technicians, intermediate life support technicians, or paramedics prior to recommending applicants for certification or recertification.

     (3) The department may withdraw the certification of an MPD for failure to comply with the Uniform Disciplinary Act (chapter 18.130 RCW) and other applicable statutes and regulations.



[Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.71, 18.73, and 70.168 RCW. 00-08-102, § 246-976-920, filed 4/5/00, effective 5/6/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040 and chapters 18.71, 18.73 and 70.168 RCW. 93-01-148 (Order 323), § 246-976-920, filed 12/23/92, effective 1/23/93.]