Find out everything you need to know about becoming a Paramedic.

Job Title - Paramedic

Description

Paramedics is people who provide pre-hospital emergency care, treatment and specialised transport for patients with medical emergencies. They also deal with non-emergency tasks such as hospital admissions, discharges and transfers. They usually work as part of a rapid response team dealing with a range of situations, from minor wounds to serious injuries caused by a major road or rail accident.

Typical Job Activities

Makes quick decisions about moving the patient lifting and placing patients on stretchers, loading the stretchers into ambulances and transporting patients to hospital
Uses advanced life support techniques, carrying out surgical procedures, providing drug and fluid therapy, and putting on dressings for wounds and supports for broken bones
Prepares patient care records and other written reports
Attends public gatherings, such as large sporting events, where accidents or other health emergencies may occur
Performs daily vehicle and equipment checks, making sure that medical supplies are accounted for and that equipment and ambulances are working

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Related Occupations

Ambulance and Emergency Care Worker
First-aid worker

Educational Requirements

Certain universities offer a four-year Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Care (BEMS).  

Graduates of this programme are qualified as Advanced Life Support practitioners able to provide the highest level of pre-hospital emergency care available.

Entrance requirements and costs may vary according to the institution you apply to. The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) governs the standards of all medical training in South Africa. Their website contains a list of all institutions accredited to run Emergency Care training.

A two-year National Certificate is also available, the Emergency Care Technician (ECT) course. This qualification is also offered by certain institutions and graduates will work under the indirect control of a degree paramedic.

The other route to becoming a paramedic is to follow the short course route. There are three levels of qualification:
Basic Ambulance Assistant (BAA) – Basic Life Support
Ambulance Emergency Assistant (AEA) – Intermediate Life Support
Critical Care Assistant (CCA) – Advanced Life Support

Compulsory subjects: Mathematics and Physical Science
Recommended subjects: Biology

What natural skills and/or aptitudes do I need for this occupation?

Be able to have above-average physical strength and fitness to be able to move unconscious or injured patients
Be in good health (he has to pass a medical test)
Have manual dexterity
Be able to have sound judgement
Be sympathetic
The ability to remain calm
Have the ability to think clearly and act quickly, appropriate and purposeful
Be able to work individually and in a team
Be reliable and responsible
Be unselfish

Employment Opportunities

Moderate

Market Competitiveness

Moderate

Income Potential

Moderate

Self-Employment Options

Moderate

International Employment Market

Low

Possible Employers

Government  - national, provincial, local councils and related organisations like Municipalities, divisional councils and provincial administrations , industry, private ambulance organisations, private clinics and hospitals, civil defence units, SANDF and mining industry

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Relevant Contact Details

South African Emergency Services Institute
www.saesi.com

Health Professions Council of South Africa
www.hpcsa.co.za

Career Progress and Path

Experience in specific field
Work performance

Possible Career Paths

Specialist career in the specific field

Employment Stability

Moderately stable

Reasons to consider this career

A job in government
A stable job
To be of service to people
To work with people
To focus on a specific field
To apply my special skills