CERTIFICATION
ED-Q Certification Courses (Medical, Fire, Police)
National Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (NAED) ED-Q certification is the cornerstone of quality assurance for centers using the Priority Dispatch Systems™ for all medical, fire, and police protocols. Using state-of-the-art instructor-led multimedia learning technology, this intensive training program provides your staff with:
- The tools and understanding to properly evaluate and score the six elements of the Priority Dispatch Systems
- Ways of measuring effective performance
- The ability to design and implement a quality management records system
- Instructions for developing continuing dispatch education that addresses identified performance problems
The Emergency Medical Dispatch Case Evaluation Record form, Field Feedback Report form, and Proposal for Change form are available for download online here.
ED-Q National Certification Prerequisites
Must be a licensed user of the current MPDS/FPDS/PPDS and have current NAED certification as an EMD/EFD/EPD in the specific discipline that ED-Q will be obtained. Dispatch experience and familiarization with medical, fire and law enforcement operations is also necessary.
ED-Q Certification Course Information
The courses train dispatchers through instructor-led lecture, discussion, video segments, audiotape review, hands-on practice, and role-playing. The coursework spread over three days offers participants 24 hours of direct experience with ample opportunities to learn and practice the protocols.
- Current NAED certification
- EMD certification if seeking EMD-Q®
- EFD certification if seeking EFD-Q®
- EPD certification if seeking EPD-Q®
- Current MPDS®, FPDS™, or PPDS™ licensure(cardsets or ProQA® software)
Registration includes:
- ED-Q Course Manual
- Course related Scoring Standards Manual
- Case Evaluation Record forms
- A protocol specific Quality Assurance Guide™
- Certification fee and testing with the NAED
Successful attendees receive
- Official certificate of course completion
Certification as an ED-Q also fulfills your requirements re-certification for EMD, EFD, or EPD. Should your EMD, EFD, or EPD certification expire prior to your ED-Q recertification date, the ED-Q certification course will meet all EMD, EFD, and EPD recertification continuing dispatch education (CDE) requirements. Simply submit a copy of your ED-Q card with your $45 recertification fee.
Certification forms are available in class from a certified instructor or directly from the Academy. Call the Academy for more information.
Course Outline
The 16-hour course teaches practical case review skills, the use of the NAED case review scoring standards, and an introduction to data analysis. Students learn how to identify appropriate Dispatch Life Support policies and how to use case review data to improve EMD performance. Each class includes time for questions, and the certification test is given at the conclusion of the classroom experience. Candidates must achieve a standard pass rate to qualify for certification. The case review elements are outlined below.
- Case review scoring standards
- Case Entry Protocol review
- Chief Complaint Protocol review
- Emotional Content and Cooperation Scoring
- Key Questions review
- Post-Dispatch Instructions review
- Scoring of final coding
- Live tape review
- An “how to” on providing case review feedback
ED-Q Recertification Requirements
The Academy's Board of Directors requires the following for ED-Q once every two-year recertification:
1. Verification of current Academy certification. (Taking the ED-Q course will qualify you for EMD, EFD, or EPD recertification if necessary, but will require the submission of your ED-Q card and the $45 recertification fee).
2. Demonstrated understanding of all current ED-Q scoring standards by completing the ED-Q recertification exam with a score of at least 80%. (Retests are available by phone for $30.)
3. Verification of employment in dispatch case review for at least 12 months out of the 24 month recertification period OR verification of reviewing at least 50 cases provided by any EPDS-licensed agency
4. Verification of EMD-, EFD-, or EPD-specific continuing dispatch education (CDE); a minimum of 30 CDE hours (24 EMD, EFD, or EPD plus six ED-Q) are required during each 2-year period. The six ED-q hours must be specific to medical, fire, or police protocol, but they are not subject to maximum limitations. Each credit hour is based on one hour of participation.
5. Signed recertification application form for ED-Q, verifying your agreement to abide by the Academy's Code of Ethics and professional practice standards.
6. Payment of additional $45 processing and development fee ($90 to renew both emergency dispatcher and ED-Q certifications at the same time). Note: the EMD, EFD, or EPD recertification test is not necessary if you take the ED-Q test.
How to recertify:
- ED-Q courses are available at various locations throughout the year. For more information or to find a class near you, visit the online course list.
- The Academy offers an optional "ED-Q Recertification and Refresher Course" at the annual Navigator conference. This course is updated and repeated each year. Registration is $250 and includes the $45 recertification fee. Assuming current employment and dispatcher certification, successful completion covers the requirements listed above. Anyone holding current ED-Q certification is eligible to attend.
- Those choosing not to attend this course may complete the ED-Q recertification exam and application through the mail.
Re-certification forms are available directly from the Academy. Please call for more information. Please call for more information.
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