The Clinical Standards & Practices Group (CS&P) was developed by the Med-Act Council for the purpose of looking at and improving the clinical aspect of Med-Act. The group evaluates new equipment, medications, medical procedures, or anything that involves direct patient care. The group is voluntary, and is made up of workers at all levels. However, the CS&P group answers to and receives directions from the Council.

The CS&P groups receives suggestions from the body of Med-Act through the council. The group reviews the suggestions to see if it has merit for the department. Once the group decides the suggestion has merit, it is then researched further with development toward implementation, or rejection. The group reports back to the council to assure adequate tracking, and for further development toward implementation or rejection.

When new equipment or procedures are to be implemented, the CS&P group works closely with management and education to purchase equipment and train the department. This ensures that all levels are represented when new items are put in place, or other items are removed.

The CS&P group also has three sub-groups that look into specific areas that effect patient care. Those sub-groups are the Airway Task Force, Medical Policies and Procedures, and Patient Reports. These sub-groups focus their attention on their respective topics and report back to CS&P.

The role of the Med-Act Council is to participate in the decision-making process regarding the department's growth and activities, in concert with the mission and values of the department. The Council assumes an active role in decisions pertaining to operations, projects, essential development concerns, and will consider financial implications for decisions.

The Council is composed of Med-Act personnel from the following positions:

• Nine (9) At-Large positions- a non-management representative from each district of each shift
• Four (4) Group-Chairperson positions
• EMS Chief
• One (1) Ops Battalion Chief
• One (1) Training Battalion
• One (1) Administrative Office and Support Services Representative
• One (1) Community Education Representative

Four working groups exist under the Med-Act Council:

• Clinical Standards and Practice (CS&P)
• Systems Planning Group (SPG)
• Wellness and Safety
• Public Relations and Education (PR&E)

Length of Term
The At-Large positions are held for two (2) years in length beginning January 1. The 2-year terms are staggered to promote Council cohesiveness. Each At-Large position is an elected position by the department. At-Large position holders may voluntarily resign their positions in writing within 30 days before the planned resignation date. The Council Facilitator will nominate and the Council will appoint someone to complete the remaining term of the resigned member.

The Public Relations and Education Group (PR&E) enables paramedics to become involved on a different level with the community. Since most paramedics usually have direct contact only during an emergency call, becoming involved with community events and classes provides a different form of contact between the provider and the public. The PR&E Group coordinates Med-Act's involvement in major events throughout Johnson County. The Group is a direct subset of the Community Education Department, and works closely with the position holders of that department. This group also coordinates employee appreciation events, as well as EMS Week functions for the department.

The System Planning Group (SPG) is a working committee under the Med-Act Council. It is comprised of seven to ten field providers. It allows paramedics to have input on how the EMS system works.

Issues the SPG may make recommendations on range from where ambulances are placed to what tools personnel will use for communications.

Med-Act recently completed the first phases of department-wide strategic planning. Many issues from that process will be explored by the SPG. This group is another example of Med-Act's commitment to quality and employee involvement.

The role of EMS personnel, based on their position desciptions, can be physically and emotionally demanding. In the course of carrying out their daily EMS responsibilities, employees may be pushed to their physical and emotional limits. At such times, a risk for injury or stress on the employee exists. It is recognized and accepted that high levels of physical and emotional fitness can enhance the individual's ability to perform the necessary job functions. Individuals in poor physical condition, and/or who are in unhealthy emotional states, may be less able to endure the physical and emotional demands of the job, especially in the long term.

It is understood that a healthy and fit work force is vital in order to effectively carry out the department's mission. For these reasons and also the genuine concern for the employee's health and well being, Med-Act adopted a Fitness and Wellness Program. This program is administered under initial employment and then annually. It consists of a work capacity test, strength and flexibility evaluations, and cardio-respiratory treadmill testing. Every employee must pass this testing to continue in their current job capacity.

On a daily basis, employees are expected to use the fitness equipment provided in each station. Each station is equipped with a minimum of a stationary bicycle. Most stations have complete weight rooms, with treadmills, stair steppers, free weights, and stationary bicycles. Many employees also enjoy running around the station area outdoors when the weather permits.

The Wellness and Safety Group ensures compliance with the required testing, as well as evaluating the multitude of wellness and safety information available to the department.