SANTA CLARA COUNTY EMS
PARAMEDIC PROTOCOL
COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL GUIDELINES
REVIEW AND STUDY GUIDE.
Section 1: System Orientation and Accreditation
1. What are the prerequisites for taking the EMS System Orientation Exam?
Correct answers: Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
• Employed by a Santa Clara County EMS Provider
• A Paramedic Intern sponsored by a Santa Clara County EMS Provider
• Employed by an organization that provides 9-1-1 or interfacility services within
Santa Clara County
Rationale: Policy 214 requires all EMS Personnel to complete the EMS System
Orientation Exam to obtain local accreditation .
2. What is the structure of the EMS System Orientation Exam?
Correct answers:
• 50 questions
• Minimum passing score: 85%
• Maximum attempts: three (3) within a twelve (12) month period
,Rationale: The exam assesses knowledge related to the Santa Clara County EMS
System, including specialty care systems, policies, radio communications, and patient
destination guidelines .
3. When can an EMS System Orientation Exam be submitted?
Correct answers: Program Managers (or Alternate) for an approved EMS Provider
within the County of Santa Clara must register the applicant using the secure online
registration link provided by the EMS Agency .
4. What is the expiration timeline for a Santa Clara County EMS badge?
Correct answers: The badge expires when the EMT or paramedic certification expires.
Badges are property of the County of Santa Clara and must be surrendered to the EMS
agency upon separation from service .
5. What gear are EMS personnel required to wear when dealing with scene calls?
Correct answers:
• Uniform identifying the agency
• ID badge visible at all times
• High visibility jacket and goggles with three company identifier
Rationale: Proper identification and safety equipment are required for all scene
responses .
, 6. What are the 2024 changes to the EMS System Orientation Process?
Correct answers: Changes effective July 8, 2024 include:
• Increased testing opportunities
• Modified registration process
• Updated standards in Program Participant Policies
Note: Effective August 1, 2025, the EMS Agency will no longer require EMS System
Orientation Exams for EMTs .
Section 2: Policy Development and Variance Reporting
7. How is policy implementation disseminated to EMS personnel?
Correct answers: Via the EMS Program Manager . Policies are available electronically
through the website and other digital media. Paper copies are available for purchase.
Rationale: Policy 109 establishes electronic dissemination as the primary method for
policy updates.
8. What is Policy 108 regarding variance reporting?
Correct answers: Policy 108 establishes three levels of variance reporting:
• Level A: Immediate notification to EMS Duty Chief (gross negligence, fraud,
patient harm, refusal to respond, equipment failure with patient harm)
PARAMEDIC PROTOCOL
COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL GUIDELINES
REVIEW AND STUDY GUIDE.
Section 1: System Orientation and Accreditation
1. What are the prerequisites for taking the EMS System Orientation Exam?
Correct answers: Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
• Employed by a Santa Clara County EMS Provider
• A Paramedic Intern sponsored by a Santa Clara County EMS Provider
• Employed by an organization that provides 9-1-1 or interfacility services within
Santa Clara County
Rationale: Policy 214 requires all EMS Personnel to complete the EMS System
Orientation Exam to obtain local accreditation .
2. What is the structure of the EMS System Orientation Exam?
Correct answers:
• 50 questions
• Minimum passing score: 85%
• Maximum attempts: three (3) within a twelve (12) month period
,Rationale: The exam assesses knowledge related to the Santa Clara County EMS
System, including specialty care systems, policies, radio communications, and patient
destination guidelines .
3. When can an EMS System Orientation Exam be submitted?
Correct answers: Program Managers (or Alternate) for an approved EMS Provider
within the County of Santa Clara must register the applicant using the secure online
registration link provided by the EMS Agency .
4. What is the expiration timeline for a Santa Clara County EMS badge?
Correct answers: The badge expires when the EMT or paramedic certification expires.
Badges are property of the County of Santa Clara and must be surrendered to the EMS
agency upon separation from service .
5. What gear are EMS personnel required to wear when dealing with scene calls?
Correct answers:
• Uniform identifying the agency
• ID badge visible at all times
• High visibility jacket and goggles with three company identifier
Rationale: Proper identification and safety equipment are required for all scene
responses .
, 6. What are the 2024 changes to the EMS System Orientation Process?
Correct answers: Changes effective July 8, 2024 include:
• Increased testing opportunities
• Modified registration process
• Updated standards in Program Participant Policies
Note: Effective August 1, 2025, the EMS Agency will no longer require EMS System
Orientation Exams for EMTs .
Section 2: Policy Development and Variance Reporting
7. How is policy implementation disseminated to EMS personnel?
Correct answers: Via the EMS Program Manager . Policies are available electronically
through the website and other digital media. Paper copies are available for purchase.
Rationale: Policy 109 establishes electronic dissemination as the primary method for
policy updates.
8. What is Policy 108 regarding variance reporting?
Correct answers: Policy 108 establishes three levels of variance reporting:
• Level A: Immediate notification to EMS Duty Chief (gross negligence, fraud,
patient harm, refusal to respond, equipment failure with patient harm)
