CAMTS graduates new site surveyors

Abstract

In 2004, the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) had 28 active site surveyors. Assigning 2 surveyors for most of the 53 site visits completed in 2004, however, resulted in very restrictive scheduling. The Site Surveyor Selection Committee, headed by coordinator Karen Rogers, began reviewing applications for surveyor positions in April 2004. Of 57 total applicants, 33 qualified and were interviewed by board members and current surveyors. In November 2004, 19 applicants were selected to attend the site surveyor training class in January 2005. The surveyor selection process requires each candidate to complete an application, submit a letter of introduction and curriculum vitae, and provide 2 written references. Site surveyors are chosen very carefully, not only for their qualifications and level of experience but also for the geographic region and area of expertise they represent based on the needs of CAMTS at the time. Because the types of programs that apply for accreditation vary widely, CAMTS tries to match the surveyors' backgrounds with the types of services offered by the programs. All applicants must have a minimum of 4 years of experience in medical transport as a patient care provider, pilot or mechanic, communications specialist, or manager. Management experience is very important, as is service with more than 1 medical transport program. Ultimately, the interview process tells us a great deal about the applicant's interview style, posture, eye contact, and basic demeanor, which are important qualities for a site surveyor. In fact, “Image of a Site Surveyor” is one of the topics taught during the 3-day class. This topic includes behavioral expectations and how to present and encourage open communications. Other topics include a detailed description of current CAMTS standards and policies. The class also includes reviewing a fictional medical transport program with a Power Point tour and role-playing interviews. Attendees are separated into survey teams that interview faculty who are in their roles as program director, lead pilot, medical director, chief flight nurse, etc. The tour and interviews mimic an actual site visit, including the closing conference, and provide the faculty with an opportunity to present some of the unique situations encountered by our site surveyors over the past 10 years. On the last day of class, the teams present to the full class and faculty their findings from interviews and reviews of the program information form. Applicants are required to attend this class before they conduct their first site visit with a senior site surveyor. We anticipate completing more than 60 site visits in 2005, and the following people are welcome additions to our prestigious list of CAMTS surveyors: Cameron Bell, EMT-P, Calgary, Canada Sheila Calvert, RRT, Dallas, TX Donna York Clark, RN, Lebanon, NH Jan Eichel, RN, Kalamazoo, MI Jon Gryniuk, EMT-P, Albany, NY Dan Hankins, MD, Rochester, MN Patti Klein, RN, St. Louis, MO Peter Martin, MD, Pittsburgh, PA Ken Matthews, RN, Salt Lake City, UT Rick Morley, Pilot, Kalamazoo, MI Becky Ross, RN, Greenville, NC Shirley Scholz, RN, Lubbock, TX Jason Schwebach, Pilot, Charlotte, NC Charlann Staab, RN, Phoenix, AZ Denise Treadwell, RN, Birmingham, AL Ron Walter, EMT-P, Pittsburgh, PA Lisa Weaver, EMT-P, Dayton, OH Jack Wells, MD, Columbia, MO