N.J. Admin. Code § 8:41-10.8

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 8:41-10.8 - Required crewmembers

(a) When "in-service," each SCTU shall be staffed with a minimum of:

1. One registered nurse who meets the requirements set forth at (d) below, and two EMTs-Basic; or

2. One registered nurse who is also an EMT-Basic and who meets the requirements set forth at (d) below, and one EMT-Basic.

(b) If the provider is also a mobile intensive care program, the SCTU may, in the alternative, be staffed with:

1. One registered nurse who meets the requirements set forth at (d) below, one EMT-Basic and one EMT-Paramedic; or

2. One registered nurse who is also an EMT-Basic or an EMT-Paramedic and who meets the requirements set forth at (d) below, and one EMT-Paramedic.

(c) Under no circumstances shall an EMT-Paramedic be allowed to take the place of the registered nurse required by (a) or (b) above.

(d) No provider shall allow a registered nurse to serve on any of its SCTUs unless that person has:

1. Completed at least one year of full time nursing care performing advanced clinical skills in an acute care hospital's critical care unit or emergency department and possesses valid certification as either a critical care registered nurse and/or a certified emergency nurse;

2. Certification in CPR and ACLS;

3. Certification in PALS or has successfully completed the Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course to the standards of the Emergency Nurses Association;

4. Additional training in endotrachael intubation and has been deemed competent by the medical director; and

5. Documented completion of competencies for ALS equipment, including, but not limited to:

i. Cardiac monitor/defibrillator;

ii. External pacemaker;

iii. IV pump;

iv. Ventilator;

v. Intra-aortic balloon pump;

vi. Specialized respirators; and

vii. Incubators.

(e) Additional specialty staff may accompany the required crewmembers during any transport. However, additional specialty staff, as determined by the sending physician, shall accompany the required crewmembers when transporting patients with special needs. Examples of patients with special needs would include, but are not limited to:

1. Patients receiving assistance from an intra-aortic balloon pump;

2. Patients in active labor whose pregnancy has been deemed high-risk; or

3. Neonatal patients.

(f) When the specialty staff are employees of the sending or receiving health care facility, the provider shall make all reasonable attempts to verify, prior to transport, that each specialty staff person is validly licensed, certified or otherwise appropriately qualified, as indicated by the patient's acuity, to care for the patient being transported.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:41-10.8