FP-C
FP-C is an abbreviation indicating that an individual is Flight Paramedic-Certified. This certification is for paramedics who have demonstrated advanced knowledge of critical care medicine by successfully passing a two-and-a-half-hour exam consisting of 125 multiple-choice questions. As of August 2011 there are only about 2000 certified flight paramedics worldwide.[1]
The FP-C and/or Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Program certifications are often a requirement to work as a flight paramedic in the United States. The FP-C does not have an associated course, unlike the CCEMTP, although there are review courses and study guides available. The FP-C is considered to be more difficult to obtain than the CCEMTP certification, often times requiring experience in the air medical / critical care transport field before attempting to take the exam.[2] A candidate must hold a current paramedic license and have extensive experience in the fields of emergency medicine and critical care transport[3], and having held continuous certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS/PEPP), Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS/ITLS), and other advanced certifications.
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[edit] Examination
The exam is administered by the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification (BCCTPC). Oversight for the exam process is provided by Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP), a statistical body that ensures the certification process is in compliance. The methods used by AMP are consistent with professional and technical guidelines detailed in the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (1999) by the American Educational Research Association, the American Psychological Association and the National Council on Measurement in Education. These standards provide the research framework that is used as a basis for validity of certification. The methodology used meets or exceeds the current professional and governmental standards to assure the defensibility of the exam, as well as meets or exceeds the standards of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). Although the FP-C is not officially recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), it has become the standard for Critical Care Paramedic certification and is considered to be the absolute highest level of paramedic certification in the USA. Unlike the NREMT-Paramedic examination, which is required in most States for entry-level paramedic licensure, the FP-C is a professional certification that evaluates knowledge that is well above and beyond the basic scope of practice of most licensed paramedics.
[edit] FP-C Exam Outline of Major Subjects
- Acid-Base Balance
- Regulation of acid-base balance
- Acid-base derangements
- Airway
- Rapid Sequence Induction inclusive of standard medications
- Intubation and all other airway procedures
- Surgical cricothyroidotomy
- Needle cricothyroidotomy
- Airway medications – their uses, limitations, and contraindications
- CAMTS
- Flight Following Standards
- Proper flight crew uniforms and protective equipment
- Minimum crew training and staffing standards
- Cardiac
- Knowledge of cardiovascular disease and cardiac anomalies
- 12 Lead EKG Interpretations
- Cardiac Anatomy/Physiology
- Cardiac Pharmacology
- Thrombolytic Therapy
- Understanding of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) operation
- Mechanics, indications, troubleshooting, and contraindications
- Hemodynamic monitoring
- Arterial lines and air transport
- Pacing, synchronized cardioversion, defibrillation, and drugs
- Flight Physiology
- Knowledge of the gas laws and their effect on patients
- Neurological
- Treatment/recognition of elevated intracranial pressure, cerebral bleeds, etc
- Neuroprotective agents, vasoactive agents, loop diuretics, etc.
- Indications, limitations, and contraindications
- Signs and symptoms of head injuries, ICP, cerebral perfusion pressures
- Mechanism of Injury and Head Injury dynamics.
- OB/Gyn
- Fetal circulation
- Maternal complications, such as Pregnancy Induced Hypertension.
- Delivery Complications
- Maternal Medications
- Pediatric and Neonatal
- Pediatric and Neonatal Resuscitation
- Physiological differences
- Pharmacology
- Pediatric assessment
- Respiratory and Airway differences
- Common Injuries
- Anatomical differences
- Pediatric psychosocial issues
- Non-accidental trauma
- Orthopedic injuries
- Isolette use
- Respiratory
- Evaluation of arterial blood gases and treatment for abnormal values
- Ventilator settings and parameters
- Equipment, uses and troubleshooting
- Managing the rapidly deteriorating patient condition
- Safety Issues
- Part 135 safety issues
- Flight Stressors
- Aircraft Operations- fixed and rotary wing
- Crash safety
- Survival issues
- Proper safety gear
- Stress
- Recognizing substance abuse and related issues
- Coping with death and dying
- Interpersonal relationships
- Equipment failures
- Thoracic
- Signs and symptoms of early versus late cardiac tamponade
- Procedures pertaining to thoracic injuries
- Needle thoracentesis, pericardiocentesis, thoracostomy tube placement, etc
- Treatment/signs and symptoms of:
- Cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, hemothorax, etc.
- Trauma
- Administration of blood products
- Fluid replacement
- Injury Dynamics and Predictable Patterns
- Define Newton’s 1st Law
- Predictable patterns of injury due to mechanisms
- Many questions are scenario based with multiple stem questions
[edit] Exam Outline
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- Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification, Page 4 (EXAMINATION CONTENT) ***
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| Question Category | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Trauma Management | 9 |
| Aircraft Fundamentals & Safety and Survival | 12 |
| Flight Physiology | 10 |
| Advanced Airway Management Techniques | 5 |
| Neurological Emergencies | 10 |
| Critical Cardiac Patient | 20 |
| Respiratory Patient | 10 |
| Toxic Exposures | 6 |
| Obstetrical Emergencies | 4 |
| Neonates | 4 |
| Pediatric | 10 |
| Burn Patients | 5 |
| General Medical Patient | 16 |
| Environmental | 4 |
[edit] See also
- International Association of Flight Paramedics
- Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Program
- Flight nurse
