The field instructor program: quality control of prehospital care, the first step

Orientation and evaluation of the new paramedic employee are areas that are frequently overlooked or not performed in a consistent manner. In order to evaluate skills of new employees in a standardized fashion and provide a formal structured orientation, the field instructor program was instituted. Since 1978, 78 people have gone through the program. Sixty-nine (88.5%) successfully completed the course. All of those released in "poor standing" were subsequently dismissed from the paramedic division because of poor medical performance. This program has provided orientation of new paramedics and identified those with serious deficiencies in their practice.