OSCE

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination or OSCE is the final evaluation needed to obtain your Advance Life Support (ALS) status within Montgomery County Fire Rescue. The OSCE is designed to simulate patient care as you would provide it in the field and is comprised of the following sections:

1) Team Lead

Each candidate will serve as Team Lead on two simulated patient encounters, one medical and one trauma. Trained patient actors will serve as the "patient” during each encounter. Scenarios will reflect chief complaints commonly encountered by MCFRS. Candidates will test in pairs and will serve as Team Member when not functioning in Lead capacity.

2) Team Member

Each candidate will serve as Team Member on two simulated encounters, one medical and one trauma. The Team Member will assist the Lead throughout the patient encounter by displaying appropriate affect, skills, and communication.

3) Transport Level Decision Making

Candidates will be presented with several written scenarios designed to test their ability to recognize high risk chief complaints and differentiate the need for ALS vs. BLS transport. Candidates are required to demonstrate sound clinical judgment as they articulate their decision to transport ALS or transfer care to BLS crews based on medical necessity, anticipated clinical course, etc.

4) Consult

Candidates will interact with a base-station and provide a radio consult.

5) Downgrade Report

Candidates will complete an ALS to BLS downgrade report.