Emergency Medical Dispatcher

Exam

Third-party exam

Education

Specific course

Experience

Not reported

Background check

Required

EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCHER (EMD)<br><br>Receives calls for emergency medical services and dispatches aid following a Department of Health approved protocol system used by the employing dispatch agency, including systematized caller interrogation questions, systematized pre-arrival instructions, and protocols matching the dispatcher's evaluation of injury or illness severity with vehicle response mode and configuration. <br><br>PROSPECTIVE: <br>Any dispatching entity receiving and dispatching calls for emergency medical services which provides pre-arrival medical care instructions may require persons assigned to handle such calls to be certified. <br><br>REQUIREMENTS: <br>Completion of a Department approved EMD course, maintenance of proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for basic life support procedures, and either provide proof of having successfully certified as an EMD through an approved medical dispatch organization that has pre-qualified for certification reciprocity or satisfy the examination requirement; obtain a criminal background check conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). <br><br>EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT: <br>Successful completion of an approved medical dispatch organization examination. <br><br>RENEWAL: <br>Recertification is required every two (2) years contingent on maintaining proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for basic life support procedures and completion of one (1) of the following: ten (10) hours or one (1) continuing education unit (CEU) of continuing medical dispatch education or in-service approved by the EMS Board during the two (2) year recertification period OR Completion of an examination given through an approved medical dispatch organization that has qualified for recertification testing.