Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Module - Certified

Module Overview

The OEC portion of the exam is designed to test the Candidate’s overall knowledge regarding Outdoor Emergency Care including problem management, leadership, and decision making. The module consists of the following components:
  • Written Exam
  • ​Team Scenarios
  • Bystander Scenarios
Component Details
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Written Exam
  • The written exam portion consists of 50 multiple‑choice questions.
  • The Candidate has 60 minutes to complete this portion of the exam.
Team Scenario (3)
  • The team scenarios consist of three simulated accident scenarios involving multiple injuries/illnesses and multiple patients.
    • Candidates will be assigned in groups of three by the Certified OEC Chairperson or their designee.
    • Each Candidate will take the role of leader once and the role of helper twice.
    • Each Candidate will be scored individually, once as a leader and twice as a helper.
    • The team scenario has a time limit of 20 minutes for each scenario.
    • The team scenario has a point value of 14–16 on the scenario difficulty scoring matrix. (nspeast.org)
Bystander Scenario
  • The bystander scenario consists of a simulated accident scenario involving an emergency care problem that will require assistance from one or more untrained bystanders.
  • ​The Candidate will direct untrained bystander(s) in the delivery of emergency care in a multiple injury/illness incident involving one or more patients.
  • The bystander scenario has a point value of 8–10 on the scenario difficulty scoring matrix and a time limit of 20 minutes. 
Scoring Criteria and Critical Indicators
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Scoring Criteria

  • Written Exam: The Candidate must answer 80% of the questions correctly.
  • Bystander Scenario: Pass/Fail.
  • Team Scenario: Pass/Fail — The Candidate must pass all 3 scenarios (once as leader and twice as helper). 
Scoring Definitions

For the bystander and team scenarios the Candidate needs to achieve (=) or (+) level from all Examiners scoring to be a PASS. If the Candidate receives a (-) in any section from any Examiner it is a FAIL and needs to be documented by the Examiner for Candidate feedback. The following is a general definition for evaluating (grading) OEC Scenarios focusing on leadership, decision making, and problem management (LDP).
  • Above Certified Level (+)
    • ​The Candidate demonstrates outstanding LDP abilities (as measured by the program’s performance objectives, using the applied criteria). The Candidate consistently demonstrates exceptional problem assessment, resource management, communication, and team interaction in every scenario. The Candidate does an exceptional job of identifying and coordinating all actions necessary to manage the helper(s), bystander(s), and the scene to satisfy OEC skill performance objectives while ensuring the safety of the patient(s).
  • At Certified Level (=)
    • ​The Candidate demonstrates competent LDP abilities (as measured by the program’s performance objectives, using the applicable criteria) The Candidate demonstrates competent problem assessment, resource management, communication, and team interaction in every scenario. The Candidate identifies and coordinates all actions necessary to manage the helper(s) and the scene to satisfy OEC skill performance objectives while ensuring the safety of the patient(s).
  • Below Certified Level (-)
    • ​The Candidate is inconsistent in meeting the minimal LDP, and leadership abilities (as measured by the program’s performance objectives, using the applicable criteria) The Candidate makes critical or frequent errors in problem assessment, resource management, OEC skill performance, communication, and team interaction. The Candidate identifies and coordinates actions necessary to manage the helper(s), bystander(s) the scene and the Patient(s) at a level below that expected of a Certified Patroller.
Critical Indicators

Leadership
  • Communication with the patient, helpers, bystanders: The Candidate informs the patient of what is happening, gives appropriate instructions to helpers, and directs bystanders without introducing confusion.
  • Attitude: The Candidate is positive, reassuring, and poised. Ability to direct: The Candidate is assertive, makes independent decisions, demonstrates
    an ability to use resources, and provides clear direction to helpers.
  • Confidence: The Candidate demonstrates that he or she knows what to do and how to do it without losing focus. Delegating: The Candidate builds and uses a controlled team approach and doesn't try to do everything alone.
Decision Making
  • Problem assessment: The Candidate approaches the incident appropriately, evaluates the situation, and determines all essential issues, proper resources, and safety needs.
  • Patient assessment: The Candidate conducts a primary and secondary survey, and during the "patient" interview considers the trauma and likely medical outcome.
  • Appropriate prioritizing: The Candidate addresses a single patient and determines whether the patient is a priority case. The Candidate also assigns priority status to multiple patients and conducts triage.
  • Overall safety: The Candidate takes all appropriate actions to identify and mark the scene. Protect and move the patients.
Problem Management
  • People resources: The Candidate requests, uses, and directs available resources appropriately; keeping people involved without allowing independent actions.
  • Equipment resources: The Candidate requests and uses equipment appropriately and ensures that other patrollers do so as well.
  • Plan of action: The Candidate manages the problem, avoids repeating actions, directs logical follow through given the patient's condition, and allots the appropriate amount of time for action points.
  • Anticipation: The Candidate plans for what may happen next, avoids common problems, duplication of services, and unnecessary movement of the patient.
  • OEC skills: The Candidate directs or applies appropriate OEC skills according to patient need and in accordance with OEC skill performance guidelines.
  • Transportation: The Candidate uses planned, supportive, and appropriate means to arrange transportation for priority cases and for others, securing an adequate number of helpers.
Resources
  • NSP OEC Edition – most current.
  • Optional learning Tool: Candidate can develop one original Team Problem and one original Bystander problem in writing. The OEC chair (or designee) will then review and provide feedback to the Candidate so they may use this to improve their skills during practice sessions leading up to the exam. This training is optional and at the Candidate’s discretion and is not scored. Candidates should use the point scenario difficulty matrix scale to assign
    the proper value to the scenarios. (Team Problem 14-16 points; Bystander Problem 8-10 points), from the point values noted in the scoring matrix. The Candidate is then expected to explain how they would manage each scenario using the following three categories:
    • Leadership
    • Problem management
    • Decision making
    • This is intended to challenge the Candidate to work through their written scenarios, start to finish, and illustrate the entire process.
  • All necessary documents to aid in writing scenarios can be provided by the OEC Chair, upon the Candidate’s request.