Becoming Accredited by BASICS
As a professional body BASICS may, upon application, offer accreditation to Immediate Care Schemes and to Members if they comply with various requirements.
Accreditation is an endorsement that may be both conferred and withdrawn by BASICS, and is subject not only upon the member meeting the qualifying criteria, but also continuing to comply with the BASICS Code of Conduct.
Members of BASICS work in the Pre-hospital emergency environment. This requires extended training, skills and adaptability to cope with the unique circumstances that the practitioner often finds themselves faced with. BASICS Accreditation serves to recognise this extended training and acknowledges that the member is familiar with the environment in which they work.
Many organisations now wish to have verification that individuals, whose services they may have to rely on, are suitably trained and experienced. The BASICS member’s accreditation card, with photo ID and expiry date, provides this. The website can provide further verification if the organisation requires it.
Four categories of BASICS accreditation now exist, Doctor, Paramedic, Nurse and Military Medic (Class 1). The requirements for accreditation are shown under each category. On the individuals first application the photograph has to be countersigned by an accredited BASICS member and two referees are required, one of which must be an accredited BASICS member. Photocopies of Registration documents and certificates from courses attended must be included with the application. With the large number of different courses now available, it is recognised that time restraints prevent re-certification in all of them. So all relevant courses should be included even if they are no longer current.
Accreditation will be valid for 5 years. The member must maintain current registration with their professional regulatory body and be current individual members of BASICS. The BASICS member’s accreditation card will be re-issued each year when the membership subscription is paid. After 5 years an application for re-accreditation is required along with evidence of on going activity and personal professional development in pre-hospital emergency care.
Scheme accreditation requires operational procedures, including call-out criteria that have been agreed with the local ambulance service or organisation which call on the members’ services. Audit of activity, mentoring arrangements for new members and details of on going training are required.
It is expected that the vast majority of members will belong to a local scheme or recognised organisation (e.g. mountain rescue or RNLI etc.). Where a local scheme does not exist, members may apply to join the ‘generic’ BASICS scheme. These members will be required to submit annual logbooks of activity to BASICS HQ for inspection by the BASICS Clinical Governance Directorate. An electronic logbook is provided to facilitate this process.
Click here to download an application form for a