Utah Expands Scope of Practice For EMS Workers

Update: A previous version of this article suggested that paramedics are newly able to perform intubation. Intubation has been part of paramedics’ national scope of practice model. 

A new law in Utah is set to change the way emergency medical service (EMS) personnel deliver care. House Bill 14, titled Emergency Services Personnel Amendments, allows licensed EMS professionals—including paramedics and EMTs—to provide non-emergency medical services in specific situations. This means EMS personnel can now extend their expertise beyond 911 calls, working in clinics, community health programs, and even event medical stations.

A key component of this legislation allows EMS workers to pursue an additional certification to become “critical care medics,” enabling them to perform more advanced medical procedures. To qualify, EMS personnel must undergo additional education and training, ensuring they have the necessary skills to take on these expanded responsibilities.

What This Means for EMS Personnel and Healthcare

Under the new law, EMS workers can legally provide non-emergency medical care as long as they are working under the guidance of a medical director or other qualified healthcare provider. These services could range from wound care to monitoring chronic conditions, improving patient access to care in rural and underserved areas.

With a critical care medic certification, EMS professionals in an emergency department setting can perform even more advanced medical procedures.

By bridging the gap between nursing and physician care, critical care medics can enhance patient outcomes and improve efficiency in fast-paced medical environments.

As the bill states, EMS professionals can offer services “consistent with the personnel’s medical expertise”. This opens up opportunities for EMS professionals to play a greater role in healthcare while still adhering to established medical protocols.

1. Supervision Requirements

EMS personnel will work under different levels of supervision depending on their setting:

• Direct Supervision – A physician must be physically present for face-to-face communication.
• Indirect Supervision – A physician must be on-site and available for immediate consultation.
• General Supervision – A physician does not need to be on the premises but must be available for consultation.

Additionally, in certain rural counties, nurse practitioners or physician assistants may oversee EMS personnel.

2. Where EMS Personnel Can Work

Under this law, EMS professionals can provide non-emergency care in various settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Emergency rooms
• Clinics
• Community paramedicine programs
• Public events

This expands EMS roles beyond responding to emergency calls, potentially reducing the strain on hospital emergency departments.

3. Compliance & Training Standards

Organizations employing EMS personnel for non-emergency care must:

• Hire a medical director to oversee care.
• Develop protocols approved by the medical director.
• Implement a quality improvement process to monitor care standards.
• Maintain accurate patient records that meet medical documentation standards.
• Provide ongoing education and training to keep EMS personnel up to date.

These requirements ensure that patient safety remains a priority as EMS professionals step into expanded roles.

Critical Care Medic Certification

Utah’s recent legislative changes have expanded the scope of practice for emergency medical service (EMS) personnel and introduced a new certification for critical care medics. This certification allows EMS professionals to perform advanced medical procedures. To attain this status, EMS workers must undergo additional education and training, ensuring they are equipped to handle more complex medical tasks.​

This development aims to address staffing shortages and enhance patient care by broadening the roles of qualified EMS personnel.

What This Law Does NOT Do

The bill does not change EMS personnel’s roles in emergency response situations. Their scope of practice remains the same when responding to 911 calls. As the law clarifies, it “does not expand or limit the scope of practice… when the emergency medical service employee is responding to an emergency or providing 911 ambulance services.”

With this law taking effect on May 7, 2025, Utah is recognizing the valuable skills EMS personnel bring to healthcare. By allowing them to provide non-emergency care, the state is improving access to medical services, particularly in rural areas, while also helping to reduce ER overcrowding.

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