20:61:02:02.  Educational requirements -- Subjects covered. The board shall approve a program of study for a critical care or flight paramedic that focuses on providing patient care in the pre-hospital, inter-hospital, and hospital settings. The program must include courses on:

    (1)  Critical care transport methods and safety;

    (2)  Assessing and packaging a critically ill patient for safe transport;

    (3)  Demonstrating skill competencies while performing:

        (a)  Surgical and needle cricothyrotomy;

        (b)  Chest tube insertion;

        (c)  Pericardiocentesis;

        (d)  Central venous access; and

        (e)  Focused assessment with sonography for trauma exams and intraosseous access;

    (4)  Analyzing and interpreting diagnostic laboratory and x-ray results;

    (5)  Identifying and managing blood and blood products and the following common critical care medications:

        (a)  Antibiotic;

        (b)  Anticoagulant;

        (c)  Antiepileptic;

        (d)  Immunological;

        (e)  Vasoactive; and

        (f) Fibrinolytic;

    (6)  Interpreting invasive and noninvasive hemodynamic pressures, waveforms, and values;

    (7)  Maintaining patients on an intra-aorta balloon pump and left ventricular assist device in a transport setting;

    (8)  Understanding the purpose and maintenance of

        (a)  Chest tubes;

        (b)  Central lines;

        (c)  Intravenous pumps;

        (d)  Medication pumps; and

        (e)  Hemodynamic monitoring devices and equipment;

    (9)  Recognizing proper mechanical ventilator settings, modes, and parameters;

    (10)  Applying a ventilator with proper settings; and

    (11)  Assessing and managing common critical care conditions in all patient populations.

    Source: 50 SDR 12, effective August 10, 2023; 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.

    General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.

    Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-18.1.