h Africa (HPCSA). The Department of Education has initiated the phasing out of short course training. This is to be replaced with a mid-level worker, and a prehospital clinician. The mid-level course is 2 years in duration, and exits on a level just above what many know as Intermediate Life Support (ILS), but below Advanced Life Support (ALS). They are placed on the Emergency Care Technician (ECT) register. The clinician qualification is a four year professional degree in Emergency Medical Care (Bachelor Emergency Medical Care), and is placed on the Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP) register. The only four institutions in the country to obtain the ECP qualification are the:
- University of Johannesburg
- Central University of Technology
- Durban University of Technology
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Australia[change | edit source]
In Australia, the Paramedic Practitioner is a health care professional who responds to and treats all types of medical and trauma emergencies outside of a hospital setting before and during transportation to an appropriate medical facility. Paramedics also work in the inter-facility transport environment where a paramedic will continue or upgrade medical care to a higher level while transporting a patient from one healthcare facility to another. Under normal circumstances, paramedics transport patients to a hospital-based emergency department, however, this is not their only option. When it is clinically appropriate to do so, paramedics can also choose to treat patients requiring simple primary care or procedures in the out of the hospital setting, without the need to transport the patient to a hospital (e.g. a paramedic gives a diabetic patient 50% dextrose in water).
In Australia use of the professional title Paramedic is not restricted, registered or licensed. Prior to the 1990s most Paramedics had the professional title of Ambulance Officer. Recently there are various new professional titles depending on which state Ambulance Service you are employed by. Some titles include Paramedic, Paramedic Intern, Paramedic Specialist, Clinician, MICA Paramedic, Intensive Care Paramedic. Academia and publications relating to the profession in Australia are using the nomenclature Paramedic Practitioner.
Paramedic education depends on the entry requirements for employment by the state based Ambulance Service. Ambulance Victoria, SA Ambulance Service, Ambulance Service of NSW have Graduate entry programs. Students will undertake a three year pre-employment Bachelor degree in Health Science specializing as a Paramedic Practitioner. The degree title varies from each University. The Universities offering programs include Monash University, Victoria University, Flinders University, Charles Sturt University and Edith Cowan. On completion Students can apply for employment with there respective state Ambulance Service. After successfully meeting the entry requirements for employment the Student Paramedic will complete a twelve or twenty four month internship. Upon completion of the internship Students attain certification to practice as a Paramedic. The Paramedic Practitioner can then advance clinical status to Intensive Care Practitioner, or undertake specialised education and training in other fields for example rescue, aeromedicine. Another method is to apply for employment directly to the state Ambulance Service and undergo an internal Diploma of Health science program. This program will generally take up to three years to complete with the respective employer. The Ambulance Service of New South Wales and Queensland Ambulance Service offer this entry pathway. The Graduate pre-employment entry model is becoming popular, and there is a move by the Australian profession to continue this pathway.
[change | edit source]
Paramedics normally function under the authority (medical direction) of one or more physicians charged with legally establishing the emergency medical directives for a particular region. Paramedics are credentialed and authorized by these physicians to use their own clinical judgment a