This guide outlines the process for administering the Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Modified Challenge to EMTs and Paramedics who meet eligibility criteria, detailing the skills they must demonstrate to earn OEC Technician certification. The purpose of the OEC Modified Challenge is to assess the candidate’s proficiency in OEC skills at a level consistent with Outdoor Emergency Care Technician standards.
Purpose and Scope of the OEC Modified Challenge
The OEC Modified Challenge is designed to ensure that EMTs and Paramedics are prepared to function as Outdoor Emergency Care Technicians within the unique outdoor environments encountered by National Ski Patrol (NSP) personnel. By completing this assessment, candidates will demonstrate their ability to deliver emergency medical care with competence and consistency in alignment with OEC standards.
General Requirements for Certification
To be certified as an OEC Technician, most candidates must successfully pass a written exam and pass a skills evaluation. In the OEC Modified Challenge, the candidates only need to demonstrate proficiency in a specified set of OEC skills through training and demonstration. These skills cover the core competencies necessary for providing emergency care in outdoor and wilderness settings.
Key Points for Certification for OEC Modified Challenge candidates:

• Successful Skills Demonstration: Candidates must demonstrate proficiency on all Critical Performance Indicators (CPIs) and at least 80% on the remaining skill items.
• Reassessment Opportunities: If a candidate does not adequately demonstrate proficiency for a skill on their first attempt, they may continue training and re-attempt the assessment as many times as necessary until they meet the successful skills demonstration outlined above.
• Instructor Trainer (IT) Supervision: Certain skills, identified with an asterisk (*), must be observed by an Instructor Trainer (IT), who is responsible for ensuring that all assessment requirements are met and that documentation is accurate.
• Quality Assurance (QA): Once skill check sheets are completed, a quality assurance review will be performed to validate the accuracy and completeness of the assessment

Eligibility Criteria
Candidates for the OEC Modified Challenge must meet the following criteria:

1. Hold current certification as an EMT or Paramedic.
2. Provide proof of EMT or Paramedic state licensure.
3. Complete any preliminary assessments required by NSP prior to beginning the OEC Modified Challenge.
4. Before being certified they must show that they have a current Professional Level (BLS) CPR certification.

The OEC Modified Challenge involves the following steps:

1. Initial Assessment: Candidates will complete a skills assessment designed to evaluate their performance on key OEC skills. This is part of the training process for skills that candidates are not familiar with and need to review the OEC skills standard of training.
2. Skill Demonstration: Each skill is evaluated on its CPIs, which outline critical tasks necessary for proficient performance.
3. Feedback and Remediation: For skills that do not meet the required standard, candidates will receive feedback and are encouraged to continue training. They will have additional opportunities to attempt the assessment until proficiency is demonstrated.
4. Final Approval: Once all required skills are successfully completed, and QA checks are finalized, the candidate will be awarded OEC Technician status.