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    Your Role as a Licensee: Reporting Misconduct

    Minnesota ambulance license holders and EMS professionals are held to high ethical and professional standards. Reporting misconduct is essential to maintaining these standards, protecting public safety, and ensuring trust in emergency medical services. As a licensee, you are required to report misconduct to the Minnesota OEMS Director within 60 days of obtaining verifiable knowledge. This accountability fosters professionalism across the EMS community.

    Conduct Requiring a Mandatory Report

    You must report conduct that you reasonably believe may justify disciplinary action under section 144E.27, subdivision 5, or section 144E.28, subdivision 5. It is not your responsibility to confirm a violation—your duty is to report behavior that could constitute grounds for discipline. The law outlines 13 specific violations, including criminal convictions or pleas, practicing with expired credentials, and more. While the range of violations is broad, Minnesota law mandates reporting these issues, which includes:

    1. Violates 144E.001-144E.33: Breaks state EMS laws or rules, disobeys orders or agreements from the director, or fails to complete corrective actions.
    2. False Information: Lies or provides false details on a certification application.
    3. Criminal Convictions: Is convicted of or pleads guilty to felonies or crimes like assault, sexual misconduct, theft, or illegal drug/alcohol use.
    4. Inability to Perform: Cannot safely provide EMS due to illness, substance use, or physical/mental conditions.
    5. Unethical Conduct: Acts in ways that deceive, harm, or disregard public safety or welfare.
    6. Patient Abuse: Mistreats or abandons a patient.
    7. Controlled Substances: Breaks state or federal drug laws.
    8. Unprofessional Conduct: Acts unprofessionally or below acceptable standards, even if no harm occurs.
    9. Expired Credentials: Provides EMS with lapsed or nonrenewed certification.
    10. Disciplinary Action Elsewhere: Faces penalties, discipline, or denial of credentials in another state or by another regulatory authority.
    11. Sexual Misconduct: Engages in sexual or inappropriate behavior with a patient.
    12. False Statements: Lies to the director or obstructs an investigation.
    13. Program Noncompliance: Fails to participate in or complete required health or diversion programs.

    Reporting Employment Changes

    You are also required to report employment changes involving Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Advanced EMTs (AEMTs), or Paramedics. This includes reporting:

    • Dismissals from employment.
    • Resignations that occur before the conclusion of a disciplinary process or before formal charges begin, if the individual knows charges are being considered or prepared.

    Reports must be submitted within 60 days of the dismissal or resignation. The 60-day deadline cannot be extended, even if the individual exercises rights under a collective bargaining agreement. Timely reporting ensures accountability and supports professionalism within the EMS community.

    Submitting a Mandatory Report

    Submitting a report does not guarantee that OEMS will take action. Most reports do not result in full investigations. Your role is to manage your service’s policies and procedures, while OEMS addresses potential statutory violations. To submit a mandatory report:

    Mandatory Reports

    1. Access the Submission Center: Submit your report as a complaint using the online system.

    2. Provide Complete Information: Include your contact details, as you will be the primary contact if the report moves forward.

    3. Include Your Organization’s Name: This allows OEMS to organize and track reports by service.

    4. Detail the Complaint: Specify that the report concerns EMS personnel. Provide the incident date (e.g., the date of dismissal/resignation or when you became aware of the conduct).

    5. Identify the Parties: List the subject of the report and provide your service details.

    6. Summarize the Incident: Briefly explain why the report is being submitted. Even if attaching documents, avoid vague statements like "See attachment." A concise summary, such as “Termination due to scheduling issues,” is sufficient.

    7. Upload Relevant Records: Attach supporting documentation, such as termination agreements or criminal charges. These documents help OEMS determine jurisdiction and decide if further investigation is necessary.

    8. Submit Report

    After submission, you will receive a confirmation email outlining the next steps. You will remain the primary contact for follow-ups and receive notification once your report is closed.

    Justice

    OEMS Approach to Termination Reports

    OEMS recognizes that employment termination is already a significant action. If your agency has taken appropriate steps, OEMS does not aim to further punish the individual unless necessary. Termination reports are attached to the individual’s core record, allowing OEMS to monitor conduct over time and identify patterns of behavior.

    Our goal is to balance fairness with accountability, ensuring the integrity of Minnesota’s EMS system.


    Confidentiality and Protection

    Reports made in good faith are:

    • Protected from civil liability and criminal prosecution.
    • Treated as confidential during active investigations.

    By reporting misconduct, you contribute to the safety and integrity of Minnesota’s EMS system.

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    For questions or assistance, contact OEMS at:

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