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California EMSA guidelines for discipline

The California EMSA identifies the following conduct as being grounds for discipline up to and including full license revocation

Unprofessional Conduct

The mistreatment [including verbal] or physical abuse of any patient resulting from force [including verbal] in excess of what a reasonable and prudent person trained and acting in a similar capacity while engaged in the performance of his or her duties would use if confronted with a similar circumstance.

Repeated negligent acts

A repeated failure to use such care as a reasonable and prudent person trained and acting in a similar capacity while engaged in the performance of his or her duties would use if confronted with a similar circumstance.

Fraud or Dishonesty

The commission of any fraudulent, dishonest, or corrupt act which is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of Prehospital personnel. (This one includes documenting an interaction with a patient in a way that is different from reality; “corrupt act” extends to include the manner in which a person is treated personally)

David Givot, Esq., a paramedic turned attorney, graduated from UCLA Center for Prehospital Care in 1989 and spent nearly a decade working in EMS. He later transitioned into leadership roles, including director of operations for a major ambulance provider, before earning his law degree in 2008. Givot now runs a Criminal & EMS Defense Law Practice, defending California EMS providers and advocating for improved EMS education nationwide. He created TheLegalGuardian.com and teaches at UCLA Paramedic School. Givot authored “Sirens, Lights, and Lawyers: The Law & Other Really Important Stuff EMS Providers Never Learned in School.