Qualified Paramedics

Qualified ambulance paramedics work as part of a crew of two on an emergency ambulance.

There are many different tasks that may be faced in the day-to-day events of the job. Long gone are the days of just responding to calls for help and driving people to hospital.

Nowadays, paramedics are responsible for the initial attendance at medical emergencies and accidents and are required to assess, treat and stabilise patients, first at the scene and then continuously on the way to hospital.

They have skills such as resuscitation and defibrillation for use when people have suffered a cardiac arrest; spinal immobilisation for patients with serious head and neck injuries; and may also be trained in advanced life support such as intravenous canulation and administering pain relief medication.

All qualified paramedics can also:

• analyse a patients heart via a cardiac monitor
• recognise abnormal heart rhythms
• administer oxygen
• administer basic pain relief, including penthrane
• identify and treat drug overdoses
• administer intramuscular injections to diabetics.

It is important to note that as a paramedic, not every case is a matter of lights and sirens or heroically saving a life. For many people, paramedics are a first point of call when something goes wrong and, as such, they must have problem solving skills and the ability to make a difference to those in need.

Paramedics often face chaotic scenarios with multiple patients and many people upset. It is important they stay calm, analyse the situation and bring some control into the situation.

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