The work or the function of Paramedics is to deal with emergency cases, as well as complex non-emergency hospital admissions, discharges and transfers, carrying out certain surgical procedures, and administering a range of drugs for the patients who are in trauma or emergency conditions. Paramedics work as part of a rapid response unit with support from an ambulance technician. Therefore, to get into a field of paramedics a person should be trained properly so that they don’t do any mistake or they should not have any doubts regarding their responsibilities and duties.To work as a paramedic the person has to be State registered with the Paramedics Board at the Health Professions Council. To get enrolled he/she need to complete a HPC approved qualification and period of training. There are two routes through which one can get registered in Paramedics:-
- Higher education, Direct-entry route and
- Traditional work-based route.
DIRECT-ENTRY ROUTE
The higher education route to state registration as a paramedic is to undertake a HPC (Health Professions Council) approved course. HPC provides courses which include foundation degrees, Diploma of Higher Education (Dip HE) courses, and B.SC (Hons.),degrees in Paramedic Science etc.
Courses combine technical as well as work-related skills. Typically, candidates attend university full-time during the first year, and one day a week for the following two or three years, Full-time programmes aims at new entrants; the part-time version is open to qualified paramedics who, although are able to practice, may still wish to achieve the qualification. The duration of a course can range from two years full-time to five years part-time.
TRADITIONAL WORK-BASED ROUTE
The traditional route to paramedic training is to work for at least one year as a fully qualified ambulance technician, and pass the selection test for paramedics. Once accepted for paramedic training, he/she will have to follow an intensive course lasting 10 to 12 weeks consisting of theory and practical clinical experience, and leading to the Institute of Health Care Development (IHCD) qualification. nbsp; They have to spent several weeks in various hospital departments, including the operating theatre, coronary care unit, and accident and emergency. Subjects studied include anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and advanced patient assessment. After passing a final assessment, he or she qualify as a paramedic and can register with the HPC.
Paramedics attend regular training and re-assessment, including re-certification every three years.
OPPORTUNITIES
Employment opportunities within the field of Paramedics are expected to grow faster than the average throughout the next five to ten years. An employment prospect of Paramedics includes:
- Private Ambulance Services
- Fire
- Police
- Rescue Squad Departments.
Paramedics are mainstay in companies or agencies operating emergency vehicles that respond to traffic accidents, fires, explosions, cave-ins, emergency rescue calls and other life-threatening situations. Some also assist in patient care in hospitals and doctors' offices, with specific instruction and supervision. Most ambulance personnel’s are trained by and work for the NHS, although there are some opportunities to train and work in the armed forces or private ambulance services.
Some ambulance services employ experienced paramedics in the role of emergency care practitioner (ECP).This involves working in a variety of settings such as the patients own home, GP surgery and minor injuries unit, with patients who have serious but not life-threatening problems. Experienced and qualified paramedics will need to undertake additional training in order to apply for this role. Local ambulance trusts will have more information.Some services offer the opportunity to train as helicopter ambulance crews or to operate car or motorcycle rapid response units. Paramedics can also progress into areas such as operational management, training, or human resources. Paramedics are increasingly working in other areas of health care, such as the community, with GPs and practice nurses, caring for patients in the surgery and visiting them at home.
Article provided by Future-tech Inc.
