PHECC Register: COVID-19 special division
** COVID-19 special division now closed - all licences expired 30th June 2022 **
On the 28th of March 2020, the Minister for Health directed Council to establish and maintain in accordance with the rules made by the Council, a temporary division of the register of pre-hospital emergency care practitioners to be known as the COVID-19 special division.
The purpose of this division is to enable the Council to quickly accommodate the return to practice of former registrants on the register, and to register suitably qualified pre-hospital emergency care practitioners from outside the State. In each case registration is to be for a limited period and subject to the rules made by the Council. This direction makes provision for a simplified registration process to facilitate the recruitment of these pre-hospital emergency care practitioners.
NO FEE is payable for any applicant for registration in the COVID-19 special division.
* 17/12/2021 UPDATE New applicants must provide evidence of a job offer linked to the COVID vaccination programme.
* 17/12/2021 UPDATE All COVID-19 special division licences extended until 30/06/2022 (NO FURTHER EXTENSIONS).
* 08/06/2021 UPDATE All COVID-19 special division licences extended until 31/12/2021.
* 16/02/2021 Registration in the COVID-19 special division is open again. Previous registrants have been contacted directly.
* 04/12/2020 UPDATE - All COVID-19 licences will expire on 31/12/2020 and will not be extended further.
* 22/07/2020 UPDATE - Expiry Date for COVID-19 special division extended from 31/07/2020 to 31/12/2020.
Jump to any of the following sections:
COVID-19 special division - Supporting Documents
All applicants for registration through the COVID-19 process are referred to the following documents prior to submitting an application for registration.
Restoration to the COVID-19 special division (Previously a PHECC registrant)
This is to facilitate former PHECC registered pre-hospital emergency care practitioners to apply for restoration of their registration in COVID-19 special division. In the interest of protecting the public, restoration to the COVID-19 special division will be linked to the currency of a registrant's clinical practice. See below Notes Restoration - Currency of Clinical Practice
Notes: Currency of Clinical Practice
Restoration - to the COVID-19 special division (Previously a PHECC registrant)
Restoration of former PHECC registrants will be commensurate with the
currency of their clinical practice. (The registration department has
spoken with former APs who have indicated that they would not be
comfortable to return to registered practice at the AP level because of
the duration in which they have not been practicing).
-
Registrant Option – Registrants may (if they want) apply for
restoration to the register at a clinical level lower than their
previous registration level. (An AP could opt to re-register as a P).
- Clinical Level Constraint – The proposed clinical level to which
a former registrant may apply for restoration to the register will be
directly associated with their previous CPG status. The following table
outlines proposed restrictions devised to reduce risk and protect the
public;
e.g. An applicant whose previous clinical level was AP and whose last
CPG level when practising was the 2015 Edition of CPGs will be limited
to the proposed clinical level of P.
e.g. An applicant whose previous clinical level was P and whose last CPG
level when practising was the 2012 Edition of CPGs will be limited to
the proposed clinical level of EMT.
e.g. An applicant whose last CPG level when practising was the 2017
Edition of CPGs will eligible for restoration at the same clinical level
that they practiced.
Applicants are welcome to submit proposals, supported by clinical evidence, to register at a higher level.
Former registrants who are restored to the Register through the COVID-19
process must only practice according to the 2017 PHECC CPGs.
Individuals who are Currently Registered Outside Ireland - COVID-19 special division
To facilitate the registration of new applicants currently registered as pre-hospital emergency care practitioners by competent authorities outside the State in the COVID-19 special division, in a timely fashion, striking a balance between the risk of taking on persons who have no concluded or outstanding fitness to practise issues and certification of good standing, and the need to speedily add these to the register.
To apply for registration through the COVID-19 process, individuals registered outside of Ireland please see the relevant guidance.
Guidance Individuals who are Currently Registered Outside Ireland
Pre-hospital emergency care practitioners whose name is entered in the Paramedic Register of a competent authority outside the State may also apply to join the COVID-19 special division. Please note;
-
Only Paramedics who have been practicing for at least 12 months are eligible
- Your registration must be verifiable online with your competent authority
- You must not have any outstanding fitness to practise issues and
- PHECC may seek a certification of good standing from your Regulator.
Student Paramedics COVID-19 special division
Council has made provision for students on certain courses to facilitate their registration through the COVID-19. Please contact your Recognised Institution for details. Please only submit and an application for inclusion on the COVID-19 special division if you have been instructed to do so by your Course Director/Recognised Institution.
Application Procedure for COVID-19 special division
COVID-19 registrants may make an application for full registration
through the usual mechanisms. Registration under the COVID-19 route will
run concurrently with the usual Council registration application
process. COVID-19 registration will not provide any entitlement to be
"restored" to the normal register.
- To apply for registration through the COVID-19 process. Please print and complete (in pen) the relevant application form
- Once filled in and signed, scan each page of this form.
- Scan your ID photo separately (this will be printed on your licence).
- Attach all pages of the form (as one document or individually)
- Attach ID photo separately (image file) – you must be clearly identifiable.
- If you have completed Part B or Part C of the application form, you must include a scan/copy/image of either your (driving licence or passport to confirm your identity).
- From the 17th December 2021, evidence of a job offer linked to the COVID vaccination will be required.
- Email all of the above to registration@phecc.ie with a subject line of "COVID Registration Application".
- The email MUST indicate that you have posted the original documentation to us:
Registration, PHECC, 2nd Floor, Beech House, Millennium Park, Naas, Co Kildare. W91 TK7N.
Failure to provide any of the above may result in delays or refusal to process your application.
Termination of Registration
Please note that the end date for the registrations, and registrants who were registered pursuant the COVID-19 process, shall cease on 31 July 2020 (see updates above). This timeline may be reviewed by the Council as the COVID-19 crisis evolves. Council may introduce automatic extension of licences for registrants unless they opt out in writing to PHECC.
08/06/2021 UPDATE - expiry extended to 31/12/2021.
COVID-19 special division and Service Provider Considerations
Service providers who undertake to implement PHECC CPGs and wish to engage and deploy registrants whose name is entered in the COVID-19 special division must;
-
Upskill and certify the registrants at CFR-A level prior to deployment.
- Ensure that the registrants are familiar with the 2017 PHECC CPGs.
- Privilege the registrants in writing to implement the 2017 CPGs and the corresponding medications (See Practitioner privileging)
- Maintain full records of items 1 to 3 above.