Emergency Communications Registered Nurse (ECRN) - Education/Licensure/Relicensure/Extensions/Inactive Status - No. E-7

Sep 23, 2026

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Northwest Community EMS System policy manual policy details the Emergency Communications Registered Nurse (ECRN) role and requirements. It defines ECRN as a licensed registered professional nurse who completes supplemental education and is approved by an EMS Medical Director to monitor telecommunications and provide voice orders under EMS system protocols. The manual also compiles Illinois EMS Act and Rules references covering scope of services, resource hospital functions, lead instructor coordination, education and continuing education requirements, and related immunity provisions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Policy Title: Emergency Communications Registered Nurse (ECRN)

Definition

References to ECRNs in Illinois EMS Act and Rules

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Northwest Community EMS System
POLICY MANUAL | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Policy Title: Emergency Communications Registered Nurse (ECRN); Education/Licensure/Relicensure/Extensions/Inactive status | | | No. E -7 | | Board approval: 7-16-18 | Effective: 2-1-23 | Supersedes: 7/16/18 | Page: 1 of 11 | References: EMS Rules Sections 515.320 Scope of EMS Services; 515.740 ECRN; 515.460 Fees; Approved ECRN guidelines approved by Illinois EMS Education Committee. I. DEFINITION:(Source: Amended at 44 Ill. Reg. 15619, effective September 4, 2020) Emergency Communications Registered Nurse or ECRN – a registered professional nurse licensed under the Nurse Practice Act who has successfully completed supplemental education in accordance with this Part and who is approved by an EMS Medical Director to monitor telecommunications from and give voice orders to EMS System personnel, under the authority of the EMS Medical Director and in accordance with System protocols. (Section 3.80 of the Act) For out-of-state facilities that have Illinois recognition under the EMS, trauma, or pediatric program, the professional shall have an unencumbered license in the state in which he or she practices. II. References to ECRNs in Illinois EMS Act and Rules A. EMS Act Scope of Services (Section (210 ILCS 50/3 . 10): “…care shall be initiated as authorized by the EMS Medical Director in a Department approved advanced life support EMS System, under the written or verbal direction of a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or under the verbal direction of an Emergency Communications Registered Nurse.” B. (210 ILCS 50/3 .35)Sec. 3.35. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Resource Hospital; Functions. The Resource Hospital of an EMS System shall: 1. (i) Educate or coordinate the education of Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse and ECRN candidates, in accordance with the requirements of this Act, rules adopted by the Department pursuant to this Act, and the EMS System Program Plan. 2. (j) Approve Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse and ECRN candidates to practice within the System, and reapprove Pre-Hospital Registered Nurses and ECRNs every 4 years in accordance with the requirements of the Department and the System Program Plan. 3. (l) Establish protocols for utilizing ECRNs and physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches to monitor telecommunications from, and give voice orders to, EMS personnel, under the authority of the EMS Medical Director. 4. (p) Establish and implement a program for System participant information and education, in accordance with rules adopted by the Dept pursuant to this Act. C. (210 ILCS 50/3 .65) Sec. 3.65. EMS Lead Instructor. (b) The Department shall have the authority and responsibility to: (5) Require that all education, training and continuing education courses for EMT, EMT-I, A-EMT, Paramedic, PHRN, ECRN, EMR, and Emergency Medical Dispatcher be coordinated by at least one approved EMS Lead Instructor. A program which includes education, training or continuing education for more than one type of personnel may use one EMS Lead Instructor to coordinate the program, and a single EMS Lead Instructor may simultaneously coordinate more than one program or course. D. 210 ILCS 50/3 .80) Sec. 3.80. Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse and ECRN (c) The Department shall have the authority and responsibility to: (1) Prescribe education and continuing education requirements for Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse and ECRN candidates through rules adopted pursuant to this Act: 1. (B) Education for ECRN shall include telecommunications, System standing medical orders and the procedures and protocols established by the EMS Medical Director; 2. (D) An EMS Medical Director may impose in-field supervised field experience requirements on System ECRNs as part of their training or continuing education, in which they perform prescribed procedures under the direct supervision of

FAQs

How is an Emergency Communications Registered Nurse (ECRN) defined in the policy?

An ECRN is a licensed registered professional nurse who has completed required supplemental education and is approved by an EMS Medical Director to monitor telecommunications and give voice orders under system protocols.

What does the policy state about ECRN scope and authorization?

Care and instructions may be directed under the written or verbal direction of a physician or under the verbal direction of an ECRN, within the EMS system’s authorized scope and protocols.

What education and continuing education requirements are referenced for ECRNs?

Education for ECRN includes telecommunications, system standing medical orders, and the procedures and protocols established by the EMS Medical Director; requirements are coordinated through approved EMS lead instructor oversight.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Melati