Critical Care Transport

TRANSPORT NURSING CREDENTIALS

CFRN® - Certified Flight Registered Nurse is a credential by examination designed for registered nurses involved in critical care and emergency transport by air. CFRN is offered by the Board of Certification of Emergency Nursing (BCEN) in collaboration with the Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNA).

Initial eligibility requirements are: 1) Unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse. BCEN recommends a minimum of 2 years as a flight nurse. The CFRN credential is valid for a period of four years. Certification can be renewed by one of three options: 1) CFRN Renewal Option by Internet Based Testing; 2) Renewal by retaking the CFRN exam; and 3) 100 hours of applicable continuing education.

For detailed information regarding the CFRN certification and exam please consult the BCEN Handbook.

CTRN® - Certified Transport Registered Nurse is a credential by examination designed for registered nurses involved in critical care and emergency transport by ground. CTRN is offered by the Board of Certification of Emergency Nursing (BCEN) in collaboration with the Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNA).

Initial eligibility requirements are: 1) Unrestricted licensure and a registered nurse. BCEN recommends a minimum of 2 years as a transport nurse.The CTRN credential is valid for a period of four years. Certification can be renewed by one of three options: 1) CTRN Renewal Option by Internet Based Testing; 2) Renewal by retaking the CTRN exam; and 3) 100 hours of applicable continuing education.

For detailed information regarding the CTRN certification and exam please consult the BCEN Handbook.

TRANSPORT PARAMEDICINE CREDENTIALS

FP-C® - Flight Paramedic Certified is a credential by examination offered by the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification® (BCCTPC®). The FP-C is intended for and tests the knowledge of experienced critical care paramedics working in the flight transport arena.

Initial eligibility requirements include paramedic licensure at the state and/or national level. BCCTPC strongly recommends candidates have a minimum of 3 years experience in a high volume advanced life support system and sound working knowledge of ACLS, PALS, NRP and PHTLS content.

The certification period is 4 years at which time the candidate must meet renewal criteria: 1) Current FP-C certification; 2) Unrestricted paramedic license; and 3) 100 hours of CE related to flight medicine (75 hours must be in the clinical category, 16 of which must be from an approved FP-C prep course). Those not meeting re-certification criteria must retake the exam. For detailed re-certification information please consult the Guidelines for Renewal by CE.

For detailed information regarding the FP-C certification and exam please consult the BCCTPC Candidate Handbook.

CCP-C® - Critical Care Paramedic Certified is a credential by examination offered by the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification (BCCTPC). The CCP-C is intended for and tests the knowledge of experienced critical care paramedics working in the ground transport arena.

Initial eligibility requirements include paramedic licensure at the state and/or national level. BCCTPC strongly recommends candidates have a minimum of 3 years experience in a high volume advanced life support system and sound working knowledge of ACLS, PALS, NRP and PHTLS content.

The certification period is 4 years at which time the candidate must meet renewal criteria: 1) Current CCP-C certification; 2) Unrestricted paramedic license; and 3) 100 hours of CE related to critical care medicine (75 hours must be in the clinical category, 16 of which must be from an approved CCP-C prep course). Those not meeting re-certification criteria must retake the exam. For detailed re-certification information please consult the Guidelines for Renewal by CE.

For detailed information regarding the CCP-C certification and exam please consult the BCCTPC Candidate Handbook.

CRITICAL CARE TRANSPORT CURRICULA

CCEMTP - Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Program is a two-week critical care transport program for paramedics and nurses. Other transport professionals are also eligible. CCEMTP is a product of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Department of Emergency Health Services (EHS) and is designed to educate paramedics and nurses in the knowledge and skills necessary to function in the critical care transport environment. Course content includes: critical care environment; breathing management; surgical airway management; hemodynamic management; cardiac management; pharmacological management; GI, GU and renal management; neurological management; complications of transport; and special considerations.

Eligibility requirements for paramedics include: Recommended minimum of 1 year as a paramedic; current certifications in CPR, ACLS, ITLS or PHTLS, and PALS or PEPP or PPC. Eligibility requirements for nurses include: Recommended minimum of 1 year as a nurse; and current certifications in CPR, ACLS, PALS or PEPP or ENPC, and ITLS or PHTLS or TNCC or TNATC. Each CCEMTP site has the option of requiring or recommending additional prerequisites including foundational courses in biology, pharmacology, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology.

Successful CCEMTP course completion requires passing the written exam and is valid for 3 years. Renewal consists of submission of a renewal form and documentation of 36 hours of critical care CE.

CICP - Certified Intensive Care Paramedic is a critical care program developed by the Cleveland Clinic EMS Academy Division of Critical Care Education in cooperation with the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS). The CICP Program is designed to educate paramedics, nurses, respiratory therapists and other medical professionals in core critical care knowledge and advanced procedures.

The pre-course component is completed online and is based on the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) Guidelines for Air Medical Crew Education. The foundational component of CICP is based on an inpatient critical care module and includes laboratory skills practice in conjunction with lectures and clinical time to practice skills and apply knowledge. Paramedics that successfully complete the written and practical examinations will be eligible to sit for CCP-C and FP-C examination. Nurses will likely be better prepared for CFRN and/or CTRN examinations. Certification period is 2 years and is renewable by 12 hours of critical care continuing education.


PNCCT - Pediatric and Neonatal Critical Care Transport is a 9 day pediatric and neonatal critical care transport course developed in collaboration between the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Department of Emergency Health Services (EHS) and Johns Hopkins Hospital. PNCCT is designed for paramedics and registered nurses and is intended to provide a foundation in the area of pediatric and neonatal critical care inter-facility transfer. The goal is the development of providers with increased confidence and competence within this arena.

The course is open to paramedics and nurses with: 1) 1-year of relevant experience; and 2) BLS, PALS or PEPP, and NRP. Students must meet all requirements and pass a written examination. The PNCCT certificate is current for a period of 3 years. Renewal requirements include: 1) A letter requesting reissue of PNCCT certificate and modest fee; 2) Submission of paramedic or RN license, copies of BLS, PALS or PEPP or ENPC, and NRP 3) 16 hours of relevant and verified critical care CE.

TRANSPORT TRAUMA CERTIFICATIONS

TPATC - Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Course is a three day transport specific trauma course that utilizes both didactic and practical teaching methodologies. The cognitive portion of the course will include: transport physiology; safety; neurological trauma; shock; thoracic and abdominal trauma; trauma in pregnancy; pediatric trauma; legal aspects of transport; burn trauma; airway and ventilatory management; and crisis management. The practical skills stations cover: invasive procedures; chest and c-spine x-ray interpretation; airway management; and patient assessment. The Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNA) recommends a minimum of 6 months transport experience.

TPATC (AP) - Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Course Advanced Provider is a one-day course tailored to the needs of the advanced transport practitioner. A review of the Provider content is included along with geriatric trauma, delayed trauma transport, and disaster/mass casualty incidents case studies. The TPATC (AP) skills stations include advanced airway management with scenarios; cranial CT interpretation; and invasive skills.  Participants must pass both written and practical exams to become verified. The Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNA) recommends a minimum of 2 years transport experience and proficiency with the basic course content.

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