(1) For purposes of the rules set forth in this subchapter, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Advanced life support" or "ALS" means any provider that functions at any endorsement level above EMT-B or EMT.

(b) "Approved course" means a course of initial instruction that meets the specifications and requirements for a particular level of ECP training approved by the board or its designee.

(c) "Approved program" means a multiple of approved courses offered by an entity and approved by the board or its designee.

(d) "Basic life support" or "BLS" means any provider that functions at the endorsement level of:

(i) EMT-F or EMR;

(ii) EMT-F or EMR with any endorsements; or

(iii) EMT-B or EMT without any endorsements.

(e) "Board" means the Board of Medical Examiners.

(f) "Clinical experience" means supervised instruction, observation, or practice in a patient care setting as part of an approved course or program.

(g) "Clinical preceptor" means an individual trained to a level greater than the student, who is responsible for supervising and teaching the student in a clinical setting in an approved course or program, under the supervision of the medical director or lead instructor in the case of an EMT-basic course or EMT course after December 31, 2013.

(h) "Curriculum" means the combination of the National EMS Educational Standards and the Instructor Guidelines prepared by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).

(i) "Emergency medical service" or "EMS" means out of hospital care and transportation furnished by a combination of persons licensed by the board and resources that are licensed by the Department of Public Health and Human Services pursuant to Title 50, chapter 6, MCA.

(j) "Emergency medical technician" means any out-of-hospital emergency care provider or "ECP" licensed by the board.

(k) "Emergency medical technician - basic" or "EMT-B" means an individual licensed by the board as an EMT-B or, after January 1, 2014, as an "emergency medical technician" or "EMT".

(l) "Emergency medical technician - first responder" or "EMT-F" means an individual licensed by the board as an EMT-F or, after January 1, 2014, as an "emergency medical responder" or "EMR".

(m) "Emergency medical technician - intermediate" or "EMT-I" means an individual licensed by the board as an EMT-I or, after January 1, 2014, as an "advanced emergency medical technician" or "AEMT".

(n) "Emergency medical technician - paramedic" or "EMT-P" means an individual licensed by the board as an EMT-P or, after January 1, 2014, as a "paramedic".

(o) "Endorsement" means a defined set of skills and knowledge that expands the scope of practice of the ECP. The medical director grants permission for an ECP to utilize an endorsement, provided the specific endorsement is identified on the ECP's license.

(p) "Lead instructor" means a person who is licensed by the board, attended a training program conducted by the board, and is authorized to offer and conduct ECP courses. The lead instructor is under the supervision of the board for BLS courses and under the supervision of the board and medical director for ALS courses.

(q) "Medical director" means an unrestricted Montana licensed physician or physician assistant who is responsible professionally and legally for providing medical direction and oversight to a licensed ECP and/or for the training provided in an approved program/course.

(r) "NPDB" means the National Practitioner Databank established by Public Law 99-660 (42 USC 11101, et seq.).

(s) "NREMT" means the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, an independent, not-for-profit, nongovernmental certification agency based in Columbus, Ohio.

(t) "Offline medical direction" means general medical oversight and supervision for an emergency medical service or an ECP, including review of patient care techniques, emergency medical service procedures, and quality of care.

(u) "Online medical control" means real-time interactive medical advice or orders to ECPs.

(v) "Statewide protocols" means the written, standardized manner of administering patient care statewide, approved by the board.