Duties Description The Practitioner Licensing and Credentialling Unit Investigator (Health Systems Specialist 1 EMC) administers assigned components of New York State’s EMS practitioner certification, credentialling, and examination programs. The position independently reviews applications, records, examination information, and supporting documentation; makes or recommends determinations within delegated authority; conducts surveillance, compliance reviews, and complaint investigations; provides technical assistance; and supports quality assurance, policy implementation, and program improvement.
Working under the general direction of the Practitioner Licensing and Credentialling Unit Chief (Health Systems Specialist 3 EMC), the position supports the consistent and effective administration of certification and credentialling requirements for approximately 80,000 EMS practitioners statewide. The position helps ensure that practitioners meet applicable requirements and that certification, credentialling, and examination processes are administered accurately, fairly, and consistently.
The position requires independent interpretation and application of laws, regulations, policies, standards, and procedures governing EMS practitioner certification, credentialling, and examinations. Assignments may involve routine, complex, disputed, incomplete, or unusual matters requiring research, analysis, reconciliation of conflicting information, coordination with internal and external partners, and determination of whether additional documentation, corrective action, referral, or supervisory review is needed.
The incumbent’s decisions and recommendations directly affect the accurate, consistent, and timely administration of EMS practitioner certification, credentialling, and examination programs. Errors in reviewing information, applying requirements, or documenting determinations may delay certification actions, produce inconsistent outcomes, or require corrective administrative action. The work requires balancing regulatory compliance, public protection, procedural fairness, and timely service while adapting to changes in law, policy, technology, workload, and program responsibilities.
Major Functions & Associated Duties:
EMS Practitioner Certification, Credentialling, and Examination Program Administration – 50%
Administers assigned components of statewide EMS practitioner certification, credentialling, and examination programs in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, standards, and established procedures; Reviews applications, records, examination information, and supporting documentation to determine whether applicable eligibility and program requirements have been satisfied; Evaluates the completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and sufficiency of submitted information and identifies additional documentation, clarification, referral, or follow-up required; Applies professional judgment to research and resolve complex, inconsistent, disputed, or exceptional matters; Verifies applicable dates, deadlines, eligibility periods, and other conditions affecting program determinations; Obtains and evaluates information from appropriate sources and coordinates with program partners to verify records and resolve issues; Prepares, processes, or recommends determinations and related actions within delegated authority, ensuring they are factually supported, consistently applied, clearly documented, and completed within established timeframes; Accurately records program actions and maintains complete, organized, confidential, and secure supporting documentation; Identifies and refers matters requiring action by another program and incorporates relevant findings into the final determination; Maintains sufficient knowledge of assigned and related responsibilities to support changing program needs and provide operational coverage.
EMS Certification and Examination Surveillance, Compliance Review, and Complaint Investigation – 20%
Conducts surveillance, compliance reviews, audits, and complaint investigations associated with assigned program responsibilities; Reviews records, examination information, correspondence, system activity, and other evidence to evaluate compliance with applicable requirements; Conducts announced or unannounced surveillance of certification and examination activities to assess adherence to Department procedures, security controls, and program standards; Identifies procedural deviations, inaccurate records, examination irregularities, inconsistent practices, and other conditions requiring corrective action or further review; Receives and evaluates complaints to determine jurisdiction, potential impact, and the appropriate scope of review; Develops and conducts investigations by obtaining relevant records, interviewing involved parties, and evaluating the credibility, consistency, and sufficiency of available evidence; Prepares clear and complete reports describing the matter reviewed, applicable requirements, findings, conclusions, and recommended actions; Recommends corrective action, record correction, additional review, retesting, procedural changes, referral, or case closure, as appropriate; Monitors corrective actions within the authority of the unit and conducts follow-up review when necessary; Refers matters outside the unit’s authority and participates in joint or coordinated reviews when responsibilities overlap; Maintains complete, accurate, confidential, and secure surveillance, compliance, and investigative records.
EMS Practitioner Licensing and Credentialling Technical Assistance and Stakeholder Support – 20%
Provides accurate, timely, and professional technical assistance concerning EMS practitioner certification, credentialling, and examination programs; Interprets and explains applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, program requirements, and required next steps; Reviews available records and researches complex or unusual matters before providing case-specific guidance; Assists applicants, practitioners, program stakeholders, government agencies, Department staff, and members of the public in resolving certification, credentialling, examination, and related administrative issues; Communicates program determinations, deficiencies, documentation requirements, and corrective actions clearly, objectively, and respectfully; Coordinates with internal and external partners to resolve matters that cross programmatic, regulatory, technical, or enforcement responsibilities; Develops and maintains guidance documents, instructions, standard correspondence, web content, presentations, and other technical-assistance resources; Develops or delivers training, webinars, briefings, and informational sessions concerning assigned programs; Provides subject-matter guidance to Unit Assistants and other staff supporting unit operations; Identifies recurring questions, submission errors, and stakeholder misunderstandings and recommends improvements to technical-assistance practices; Represents the unit at meetings, workgroups, training events, and stakeholder discussions, as assigned; Escalates matters beyond the position’s authority to the Unit Chief or appropriate program.
Program Quality Assurance, Policy Implementation, and Continuous Improvement – 10%
Conducts quality-assurance reviews of assigned program activities and completed work; Evaluates whether applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, review standards, and internal controls are being applied accurately and consistently; Identifies recurring errors, processing delays, documentation gaps, inconsistent practices, compliance concerns, and training needs; Analyzes workload information, program data, complaint findings, and operational trends to identify emerging issues and opportunities for improvement; Prepares reports, summaries, briefing materials, and recommendations for program leadership; Participates in the development, revision, and implementation of policies, procedures, workflows, forms, review tools, and internal controls; Supports the implementation of new or modified program responsibilities, information systems, and automated processes; Tests system changes and identifies data-quality concerns, workflow limitations, security risks, and opportunities for automation; Participates in case reviews, peer consultation, cross-training, and quality-assurance activities to promote consistent decision-making and continuity of operations; Maintains current knowledge of applicable requirements and completes required training and professional development; Supports workload redistribution and continuity of unit functions during absences, vacancies, disruptions, emergencies, or periods of increased demand; Performs special projects, program evaluations, and related assignments at the direction of the Unit Chief.
Minimum Qualifications Permanent Transfer Candidates: Current NYS Department of Health employee with one year of permanent or contingent-permanent, competitive, service as a Health Systems Specialist 1 (EMC), SG18.
Non-Competitive Candidates via NY HELPS: New York State DOH Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT B), or Advanced EMT – Intermediate (AEMT-I) certification AND four years of administrative experience in an EMS program including work as a professional EMS planner; county or regional emergency medical administrator/coordinator, administrator or officer position with an ambulance squad, or EMS educator or trainer.
Substitution: EMS experience in an ambulance service, or advanced life support first response service, may be credited on a month-to-month basis for up to two years of the required experience. College study may be substituted for up to 2 years of the required experience at the rate of 30 credit hours for 1 year of experience.
Preferred Qualifications: Preferred Qualifications (Certifications / Licenses): Current New York State EMT, AEMT, EMT-CC, or Paramedic certification; Current or prior Certified Instructor Coordinator or Certified Laboratory Instructor certification preferred; Completion of Incident Command System training, including ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, IS-700, and IS-800, at appointment or within six months following appointment; Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications (Experience): At least 4 years of experience in EMS operations, education, training, supervision, quality improvement, healthcare administration, or a related field; Experience coordinating complex activities, reviewing and maintaining records, interpreting established requirements, resolving practitioner or student concerns, administering testing or training activities, or providing technical assistance preferred.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge / Skills / Abilities): Knowledge of the New York State EMS system and EMS practitioner education and certification processes; Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, standards, and established procedures; Ability to review records, identify discrepancies, analyze information, and make sound, well-supported determinations; Strong organizational, analytical, written communication, and interpersonal skills; Ability to explain complex requirements clearly and provide effective technical assistance to practitioners, applicants, stakeholders, Department staff, and members of the public; Ability to manage competing priorities, meet established deadlines, maintain accurate records, protect confidential information, and exercise sound judgment in complex or sensitive situations; Proficiency with standard office software, databases, electronic records systems, and report preparation.
Additional Comments Health Emergency Management Statement: All Division of State Emergency Medical Services staff are expected to participate in emergency management activities as part of their roles. While not all positions require regular deployment to disaster sites, all employees may be subject to 24/7 recall for emergency operations. This may involve irregular work hours, duties outside of the official position description, and assignments at locations other than the designated duty station. Travel in support of emergency operations may be extensive (lasting from days to weeks), with little advance notice, and may involve relocation to sites with physically demanding and challenging operational conditions.
When reviewing qualifications, omissions and vagueness cannot be interpreted in the candidate’s favor. Candidates are responsible for providing accurate and clear descriptions of their experience demonstrating how they meet the minimum qualifications.
This position is part of the NYS HELPS program. No examination is required.
This position may require travel throughout New York State including overnights to areas not served by public transportation.
We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:
- Holiday & Paid Time Off
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
- Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
- Shift & Geographic pay differentials
- Affordable Health Care options
- Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
- NYS Deferred Compensation plan
- Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
- And many more...
The NYS Department of Health is committed to making New York a safer, healthier, and more equitable place to live. Understanding health equity, social determinants of health and health disparities is critical to accomplish our goal of eliminating health disparities. For more information on the NYS Department of Health’s Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Plan, please visit: https://health.ny.gov/commissioner/index.htm
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For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate of the position (beginning of the salary range). Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations, and negotiated union contracts.
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