Program Managers

The primary role of the SP program manager is to coordinate and manage all aspects of the EMSC SP program to ensure that the emergency care needs of children are well integrated throughout the entire continuum of care, from illness and injury prevention to bystander care, dispatch, prehospital EMS, definitive hospital care, rehabilitation, and return to the community. The program manager is the lifeblood of the SP program and is often recognized as the leading champion for pediatric emergency care throughout the state or territory. Additionally, they serve as the primary liaison to the federal EMSC Program providing the vital conduit for the flow of information between the Program and the state or territory.

The EMSC SP programs vary from state to state in their organizational structure and method of operation. Most SP programs are housed within the state EMS office, while others are within a different branch of the state government or academic institutions. Still others encompass a combination of the two in which the SP grant is held by one entity and the management of the grant is contracted to another. Check out the "Program Location" section of this page to see where SP programs are located.

Likewise, program managers have widely varied backgrounds, each bringing unique skills and experience to the program as well as diverse learning needs. Regardless of the organizational structure, method of operation, or experience, there are specific roles and responsibilities for managing a SP grant, as well as common characteristics of an effective program manager. For an example of an EMSC program manager job description, see EMSC State Partnership Program Manager Job Description and Detailed Scope of Work.

An effective SP program manager:

• Is a champion for children and families
• Maintains a central focus on EMSC performance measures
• Understands program constraints and knows how to effectively work within them
• Builds relationships with key stakeholders
• Engages their state’s EMSC Advisory Committee
• Develops and follows a strategic plan for the program
• Utilizes a timeline to plot activities leading to achievement of defined grant objectives
• Monitors all program activities and project budgets
• Leverages all available resources to achieve objectives
• Communicates with their project officer and the EMSC resource centers regularly
• Complies with all Federal Program requests and conditions in a timely manner