Policy for Quality Assurance The National Ski Patrol is to be the premier provider of training and education programs for emergency rescuers serving the outdoor recreation community. It establishes a Quality Management System (QMS) that sets quality guidelines which ensure that the process of delivering NSP educational programs follow national standards. It also ensures that they are being taught by accredited instructors, are monitored through independent auditing and enhanced via continuous improvement measures.

11 Quality Elements of all Programs Program Objective Program Structure Course Content Resources Required Instructor Credentials Course Prerequisites Evaluation Format Grade Scale / Structure Reporting Requirements Risk Management Conflict Resolution

First Element Program objective – define objective/s of program and how they will be delivered.

Second Element Program structure – defines program requirements such as where, when and how the class is held (i.e. classroom, outside, on snow, what time of year) to best achieve the program objective. Venue – classroom, outside, on snow, etc. Class size – minimum and maximum number of students Instructor/student ratio – for training effectiveness Audit Frequency – How often should the event/course be audited

Third Element Course content – defines what educational material is being taught and the level of detail that the students are expected to learn.

Fourth Element Resources required – what is necessary to deliver a program Instructors – how many trainers are needed Helpers – how many helpers are needed; trained and untrained, assistants. Equipment – defines what equipment is needed by the trainers, what is required of the students to bring to class. Educational Materials– defines material required by the student and trainer.

Fifth Element Instructor Credentials – defines what instructor credentials are required for those delivering the educational program.

Sixth Element Course Prerequisites – what other courses or credentials the student needs prior to attending this program.

Seventh Element Evaluation format – defines the type of format of the evaluation (i.e. written test, practical test, ski along test, oral test, check-sheet, etc.)

Eighth Element Grade scale/structure – defines the grade structure and what constitutes passing and failing.

Ninth Element Reporting requirements – defines the administration process/paperwork required Class registration – defines how to register the course with the NSP Course completion report – defines process/paperwork necessary to close out a course Course feedback – defines what surveys/feedback are done with program participants, (i.e. instructors, helpers, students)

Tenth Element Risk management considerations – details risk management considerations for all phases of program, (i.e. training, evaluation, refreshers)

Eleventh Element Conflict resolution – defines process to follow in the event of issues/complaints from any program participant. Who to take complaint to, what process to follow.

Quality Assurance at the NSP Quality Assurance involves the monitoring/evaluating of the delivery of NSP programs and services. Audit frequency is defined in the program’s documentation. Quality assurance is a process to audit courses and events being delivered to ensure that it is done in accordance with the program’s standards. It ensures that the program standards are being consistently applied across all programs and Divisions in the NSP. The QA function is performed by Instructor Trainers (ITs).

Karen Hadden will take it from here Karen is our Division OEC Supervisor She will talk about the Beta Test that will be run in the Central Division this year Karen it is all yours!

11 Elements National Program Standard (OEC Course 5 th Edition) 1)Program objective –Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) is a course of medical instruction developed by the National Ski Patrol 2)Program structure – The OEC course may be taught inside and/or outside any time of the year a. Venue – See above b. Class size – minimum and maximum number of students is based on the needs of the local patrol, region or division c. Instructor/student ratio – for training effectiveness class size should be one instructor to 12 students with smaller group ratio for practical exercises d. Audit Frequency – The OEC course or event should be audited throughout the class by the auditing IT who needs to be present at the final evaluation.

11 Elements National Program Standard 3) Course content – Reference the OEC 5the edition Instructor Manual (2011). 4)Resources required – The IOR can assign or ask for volunteer instructors to teach classes in the course curriculum a. Instructors – Certified OEC instructors are required b. Helpers – Helpers can be untrained but must sign a release form and be monitored or supervised by an OEC instructor, IT or IOR c. Equipment – Required equipment is listed in the OEC 5th edition for the personal first aid pack and equipment required for each class d. Educational Materials– OEC 5the edition provides student resources obtained by a unique code and instructor materials are on the Brady website as well as the NSP website.

11 Elements National Program Standard 5) Instructor Credentials – OEC instructor requiring recertification every 3 years 6) Course Prerequisites – None 7) Evaluation format – Evaluation is both a written test and hands on practical evaluation. A mid-term may be offered. The final evaluation is a requirement. All candidates must achieve an 80% score on the final written and practical evaluation as well as passing all CPIs. All scenarios must be passed with the opportunity for one redo if necessary. See National P & P Manual for retest specifics.

11 Elements National Program Standard 8) Grade scale/structure. 80% on written and practical final as well as all CPIs. 9) Reporting requirements – defines the administration process/paperwork required a. Class registration – The Instructor of Record ( IOR) of the course must register, pay the fees and receive a course number from the National office b. Course completion report –The IOR must close the course at the national office and submit a course completion record to the national office within two weeks of the course completion. (Refer to the OEC Instructor manual for all forms). It must be countersigned by the auditing IT and contain the overall rating (+,=,-).

11 Elements National Program Standard c. Course feedback – It is recommended each student complete a survey using the Feedback form or the form provided on Survey Monkey. The auditing IT completes a Quality Assurance Evaluation Form which determines an overall rating (+, =,-) and will be sent to the Region Program Administrator. 10) Risk management considerations – Realism must not compromise safety. Scenarios must be conducted in safe manner. The course is not valid for credentialing if not properly registered and audited by an IT. The course cannot be audited by the IOR. 11) Conflict resolution - Possible conflicts arising during a class or evaluation will be resolved as prescribed in the National P & P Manual.

Central Division Beta Trial Use Survey Monkey for feedback on OEC classes as well as the audit form completed by the IT Kathy and I are testing and will send information when all is working as expected Immediate feedback to IORs, ROAs, Division and National Will look for trends and opportunities for improvement