Program Offers a Framework for Leadership
It is no secret that EMS systems have a long history of promoting outstanding EMTs and paramedics into leadership positions without providing these new leaders with a framework for success.
For a new leader suddenly thrust from street provider into the role of a supervisor, manager or director, the change can be both challenging and intimidating. Faced with budgets, human resource issues, hiring staff, maintenance and overtime, accounts receivable, contracts management and more, trying to figure out where to begin learning about the wide array of leadership responsibilities is daunting. Classes are often intermittent and difficult to find outside the college setting.
Fortunately, there is a program that offers a solution to providing new leaders with the tools to succeed: The Association of Air Medial Services’ Medical Transport Leadership Institute completed its annual weeklong program last month and graduated its 17th class of Certified Medical Transport Executives.
The Medical Transport Leadership Institute (MTLI) program offers an undergraduate program divided into two years of learning. After successfully completing the undergraduate program, graduates become credentialed as a Certified Medical Transport Executive (CMTE) and are welcome to return for continued learning through the program.
First-year participants receive 18 classes that include:
• Basic leadership;
• Relationship building;
• Project management;
• Financing;
• Developing a culture of safety;
• Public outreach/social media;
• Strategic planning;
• Hiring the right team.
The focus of the first-year program is to provide participants with an overview of all aspects of leading a transport system. With a keen understanding of adult learning, the MTLI regents (faculty) keep every class current with industry trends and offer a variety of interactive teaching styles to keep participants engaged. One of the most unique aspects of this program is that its retreat-style atmosphere allows participants to engage not only with each other, but also industry leaders during breaks and in the evenings. This unique networking opportunity creates an atmosphere of safe learning and an open sharing of best practices, common challenges and visions for the future.
Following the completion of the 18 classes, first-year participants are challenged with demonstrating their new cognitive skills through an examination designed to validate the learning that has occurred. Satisfactory completion of the exam is required to graduate to the second-year program.
After completion of the first year, participants take what they learned and apply it in their organizations. After a year of application, they return for the second year of MTLI, which offers additional learning, including:
• Utilization management;
• Human resource Issues;
• Advanced financial management;
• Managing change in the workplace;
• Business communications.
Second-year participants are divided into small groups and given a complicated case study in which they must address a real-life problem often experienced by prehospital systems. These complicated cases require application of information gained from each class presented throughout the MTLI undergraduate program, and the solutions are presented to a team of regents at the week’s end. It is not uncommon to see second-year participants working late to develop solutions for these cases.
Whether you are a new prehospital leader or an experienced leader seeking an opportunity to improve your personal performance, the MTLI undergraduate program can challenge your thinking and leave you better prepared to help drive our profession forward. The next MTLI program will be held April 26–May 1, 2015. Learn more at https://aams.org/events/aams-medical-transport-leadership-institute-mtli/.
