Digitising Specialist Endorsements: iMIS Implementation for the Te Kaunihera Manapou
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Sector: Health regulation, New Zealand
Client: Te Kaunihera Manapou | Paramedic Council of New Zealand
Challenge: No formal digital process for specialist endorsement applications
Solution: End-to-end iMIS endorsement application and workflow system
Key outcome: Manual processing eliminated
Partner: Zephyr Consulting
In 2025, Te Kaunihera Manapou Paramedic Council of New Zealand partnered with Zephyr Consulting to build a fully digital, automated process for paramedics applying for specialist endorsements. What followed was a complete transformation: from no formal system at all to an integrated, end-to-end iMIS solution meeting the Council's regulatory obligations and improving the experience for practitioners, staff, and the public.
This initiative marked a significant shift from manual, non-existent processes to a fully integrated and automated digital capability.
The Challenge
Specialist endorsements recognise paramedics with advanced qualifications working in expanded areas of practice, strengthening professional standards and public assurance. By digitising and publishing endorsement data, the Council can:
Meet statutory obligations more effectively
Provide greater clarity to stakeholders
Respond more quickly to enquiries with real-time information
Before this implementation, there was no formal mechanism for paramedics to apply for specialist endorsements online through iMIS. Introducing this process posed several challenges:
High application volumes anticipated with complex eligibility requirements
No structured way to collect or validate supporting documentation
No centralised system for tracking or assessing applications
Significant risk of administrative burden if managed manually
Without a system-led approach, staff would have needed to:
Manually contact paramedics
Collect and manage documents via email or paper-based forms
Track applications across disconnected processes
The Solution
Zephyr designed and implemented a fully digital iMIS regulatory solution, tailored to the Council's regulatory framework and user needs.
End-to-end online application process
Paramedics can now apply for specialist endorsements entirely online.
Multiple structured application pathways
Applicants select from tailored pathways aligned to their qualifications and experience.
Integrated document submission
Supporting documentation is uploaded directly into iMIS — removing reliance on email or paper.
Built-in eligibility filtering and validation
Ensures only eligible applicants can proceed
Prevents duplicate or unnecessary applications
Improves data quality from the outset
Workflow-driven processing
Staff review, assess, and approve applications directly within iMIS.
Seamless Integration Across the Ecosystem
A key success factor was ensuring endorsement data was consistently reflected across all channels.
Once approved, endorsements are automatically published to:
The public register
The paramedic’s practising certificate
The MyPMC member portal
This creates a single source of truth, eliminating duplication and ensuring real-time visibility of endorsement status.
Zephyr's Approach
Zephyr Consulting worked in close partnership with the Paramedic Council to:
Translate complex regulatory requirements into a scalable digital solution
Design intuitive user journeys for paramedics and staff
Configure iMIS to support automation, validation, and integration
Deliver a future-ready platform that continues to evolve alongside regulatory needs
The Result
This iMIS implementation represents a complete transformation, from no formal process to a fully digital, automated, and integrated endorsement system.
For paramedics
Simple, intuitive digital application experience
Clear pathways aligned to qualifications and career progression
Immediate ability to demonstrate advanced scope of practice
For staff
Significant reduction in manual administration
Streamlined, system-supported workflows
Improved data accuracy and consistency
For employers and the public
Greater transparency of practitioner qualifications
Increased confidence in regulated practice
Faster access to accurate, up-to-date information
Additional Capabilities
Beyond the core endorsement process, the implementation enabled further innovation within iMIS.
Dynamic renewal forms
Renewal questions adapt based on a paramedic's endorsement status.
Real-time public progress indicators
Endorsement uptake is visible through live tracking on the public website.
Integrated reporting and insights
Supporting better regulatory decision-making and planning.
The solution has:
Eliminated manual processing
Reduced administrative burden
Improved transparency and trust
Enabled scalable regulatory operations
These improvements minimise redundancy, enhance consistency, and offer instant visibility of results, but most importantly, they have delivered significant outcomes for paramedics, staff, and the broader community of Aotearoa New Zealand.
