EMSKY

EMS Tool Kits

Mentorship Guide for EMS Educators

Purpose of this Guide

This guide serves as a structured framework for EMS educators in Kentucky who are mentoring new instructors, preceptors, or adjunct faculty. It aligns with state and national standards for EMS education and promotes excellence in clinical, didactic, and leadership mentoring practices.EMS educators play a critical role in shaping the next generation of emergency medical professionals. In Kentucky, educators must not only meet certification requirements but also demonstrate teaching excellence, curriculum development skills, and a commitment to student success. This toolkit is designed to guide aspiring and current EMS educators in Kentucky on how to become effective, impactful instructors.

1. Roles & Responsibilities of a Mentor

  • Model integrity, professionalism, and evidence-based teaching practices.
  • Ensure adherence to Kentucky Board of EMS (KBEMS) regulations and NREMT guidelines.
  • Guide mentees through curriculum development, lesson planning, and classroom delivery.
  • Support mentees in preparing students for practical skills and cognitive evaluations.
  • Encourage emotional resilience and stress management in new educators.
  • Foster an inclusive, student-focused learning environment.

2. Selection of Mentors

  • 3+ years of EMS education experience.
  • Demonstrated leadership, communication, and instructional skills.
  • Approval by the EMS Training Institution’s Program Director.

3. Structure of the Mentorship Program

Phase Duration Focus Area
Orientation
1–2 weeks
Policy overview, co-teaching model, syllabus walkthrough.
Co-Teaching
4–6 weeks
Shared responsibility for lecture, lab, and student evaluations.
Independent Teaching
Final 2–4 weeks
Mentor observes the mentee in full instructional role.
Observation & Feedback
Ongoing
Weekly feedback meetings, peer evaluations.

4. Key Topics for Mentor-Mentee Development

  • Building objectives from National EMS Education Standards.
  • Aligning lesson plans with KBEMS core curriculum.
  • Student engagement strategies.
  • Running skill stations and simulation labs effectively.
  • Overseeing field internship tracking (FISDAP or other platforms).
  • Coordinating with hospital and EMS agency preceptors.
  • Administering formative and summative exams.
  • Remediation techniques and grading consistency.
  • FERPA compliance.
  • Managing scope-of-practice concerns.

5. Mentorship Best Practices

  • Lead by Example: Demonstrate best practices in documentation, skills instruction, and patient simulations.
  • Empower: Let mentees develop their voice while offering constructive feedback.
  • Reflect: Conduct post-class debriefings to identify wins and growth areas.
  • Connect: Introduce mentees to state EMS education networks and KBEMS events.
  • Document: Maintain logs of mentor-mentee activities and outcomes.

6. Evaluation and Feedback Tools

  • Weekly reflection journals.
  • Peer and student evaluations of mentee.
  • Mid-point and final mentor evaluations.
  • Mentee self-assessment checklist (based on NAEMSE core competencies).

7. Program Completion

  • Mentee receives a formal letter of mentorship completion.
  • Records are retained by the EMS training institution for 3 years (as per KBEMS policy).