Paramedics fall into the category of advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and are the highest ranked medical staff on the scene.They have a great amount of decision-making power in an emergency situation due to their intense training.
A top-level paramedic is certified to perform Advanced Life Support (ALS). This means they are trained to deal with the most fatal injuries and illnesses that people can experience.
In fact, paramedics are often required to care for high-risk patients. Therefore, to succeed as a paramedic, you need to have leadership skills as well as be able to handle some of the most stressful and traumatic situations.
Paramedics function at different professional levels, which include the following:
- Basic Life Support - At this level, one would be equipped to provide basic medical care such as; CPR, helping pregnant women in labour, stopping patient bleeding, and other non-invasive procedures.
- Intermediate Life Support - At this level, one would be equipped to provide Intermediate Medical Intervention, which would include being able to insert IVs, perform chest decompressions, and so on.
- Emergency Care Technician - This would be a more advanced level and would require two years of training to perform.
- Advanced Life Support Paramedic - At this level, one would be able to perform such tasks as; Advanced Airway Management, IV Drug Therapy, Advanced Midwifery, Advanced Resuscitation, and so on.
In order to enter this field of work, you would need to have enrolled for any of the following tertiary qualifications, depending on what level you desire to enter into:
- A one-year Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) course
- A two-year diploma in Emergency Medical Care
- A four-year Bachelor's degree in Emergency Care (BEMS), or alternatively, a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree, which will equip candidates with the skills required to become an Advanced Life Support Paramedic, at the highest level.
The entrance requirements for these programmes can include an average-to-above average comprehension of biology, mathematics and English, depending on the trainee's preferred level of paramedic occupation.
Trainees will receive theory and practical training which is primarily performed in hospitals, ambulances and fire departments. Certified paramedics have more job opportunities and higher earning potential.
These brave professionals can be found in hospitals, fire stations, cruise ships and other unusual locations. This field may not suit every personality but for those who are called to emergency service it can be an exhilarating and rewarding career.
Interested candidates can find a list of paramedic schools in South Africa here.
