ID
3-509-1225
Name
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Officer
Status
Published
Version
1.4
Updated
3/27/2024 7:39:56 PM
Original Release
11/07/2017
Last Major Release
 
NQS Position
Resource Category
Emergency Medical Services
Primary Core Capability
Public Health, Healthcare, and Emergency Medical Services
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Personnel
Overall Function
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Officer is a physician who provides the acute management of life-threatening injury and illness in an out-of-hospital environment
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
 
In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit
NIMS Typed Unit
 
Description Notes
Not Specified
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Types
Type Description
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: The NIMS Type 1 EMS Medical Officer is a physician who provides the acute management of life-threatening injury, illness, and exposure for patients of all ages, including those with special needs and for special patient populations, in the out-of-hospital setting and: 1. Augments a region with an existing EMS Medical Director to provide extended oversight during complex and protracted operations involving medical oversight, under the supervision of the regional or local EMS Medical Director 2. May serve as a Command Staff advisor or Branch Director under Operations within an Incident Command System (ICS)
Type 2The National Incident Management System (NIMS) Type 2 EMS Medical Officer is a physician who provides the acute management of life-threatening injury, illness, and exposure for patients of all ages, in the out-of-hospital setting and: 1. Provides direct and indirect medical direction and oversight of EMS practitioners who function under the authority of the sending physician 2. Is a licensed physician who possesses the education and experience in areas of medicine and out-of-hospital care 3. Provides EMS protocols 4. Confirms documentation of EMS practitioner skills prior to the practitioner’s deployment 5. Oversees patient care and clinical aspects of the EMS function
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Post-graduate education in Emergency Medicine or Emergency Medical Services
Type 21. Graduate of an accredited medical school 2. Completion of an accredited residency program or post-graduate year three and above
TrainingIdentified equivalent trainings should meet or exceed course learning objectives.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1. ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents 2. Infectious Disease field management along with Bloodborne Pathogens 3. U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) 0305 Type III All-Hazards Incident Management Team Course, or equivalent
Type 2Completion of the following: 1. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 2. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 3. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 4. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 5. Training in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness 6. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection 7. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens 8. Nationally or state-recognized EMS Medical Director course or curriculum
ExperienceNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1. Managing clinical aspects of aeromedical evacuation operations 2. Interfacing with Incident Commander or Unified Command in a command or general staff support position
Type 2Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of state and local scope of practice parameters and skill sets 2. Actively providing medical oversight of an EMS service or academic program
Physical/Medical FitnessThe NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS) defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NIMS positions.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Arduous
CurrencyProvider must carry out and use any background checks as applicable law specifies. This may include a background check completed within past 12 months, sex offender registry check, and a local, state, and national criminal history.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21. Functions in this position during an incident response, planned event, exercise, drill, or simulation at least once every three years 2. Completion of eight hours of annual Category 1 Continuing Medical Education (CME) based on EMS-related content 3. Maintains immunizations per AHJ requirements 4. Active member with an EMS-providing entity, organization, or agency 5. Background checks as applicable law permits or requires
Professional and Technical Licenses and CertificationsNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Board of Osteopathic Emergency Medicine-recognized board certification or board eligibility in a specialty or subspecialty that requires expertise and experience in the emergency management of critically ill or injured patients
Type 21. State, District of Columbia, or US territory-granted active status of legal authority to function as a Physician without restriction 2. Currently registered with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and authorized by the state to handle controlled substances
Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment
1583
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System, November 2017
FEMA, National Response Framework, June 2016
CDC, Guidance on Emergency Responder Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for response to (CBRN) Terrorism Incidents, June 2008
American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEMP), Medical Direction of Emergency Medical Services, April 2012
National Association of State EMS Officials, National Model EMS Clinical Guidelines, September 2017
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens, latest edition adopted
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
1.4 3/27/2024 7:39:56 PM PDF
1.3 12/3/2019 11:33:23 AM PDF
1.2 1/3/2019 3:55:53 PM PDF
1.1 9/28/2018 5:14:00 PM PDF
1.0 11/7/2017 5:08:04 PM PDF