Whats a paramedic


	There seems to be an illusion that anyone that appears in a green uniform whether with a white or green shirt that works in the ambulance service is automatically identified as a paramedic. This is not so! There are several levels from A.C.A (Ambulance Care assistant) who normally work on PTS (Patient transport service), they have basic life support skills and are not trained in emergency driving. E.C.A. (emergency care assistant) these crews have been trained in all aspects of life support and includes emergency driving and normally work alongside a paramedic. E.M.T (emergency medical technician) or Ambulance Technician has most of the skills that a paramedic has with exception of those listed below. It is now policy for a Technician Not to attempt any form of invasive procedure as in performing cannulation or giving of IV fluids or drugs..

Paramedic

Paramedics have specific skills in the following procedures that can be performed:

	Chest aspiration via needle (needle thoracentesis)
	Emergency cricothyroidotomy
	Introduction of a LMA (Laryngeal Mask Airway) both paramedics and technicians can perform this procedure.
	Introduction of an E.T. tube (tracheal intubation)
	IV (intravenous) and IO (intra-osseous) vascular access
	IV Fluid access
	*Oropharyngeal and Nasopharyngeal airway (both paramedics and technicians can perform this procedure)*
	The use of and Adrenaline, Aspirin, Atropine, Diazamuls, Glucagon, Glucose, GTN, Morphine, Naloxone, Salbutamol

For further information

Emergency Care Practitioners ECP's

ECP’s are paramedics with additional training in advanced skills and provide emergency treatment to patients often they use RRV’s (rapid response vehicles) An ECP may come from either a Paramedical, Nursing or Allied Health Professional background and has developed additional academic qualifications, usually at university, with enhanced skills in medical assessment and extra clinical skills over and above those of a 'standard' paramedic/qualified nurse or other ambulance crew such as technicians. It has been recommended by the British Paramedic Association that ECPs be trained to PgDip or MSc Level. extracted from Wikipedia

Always ask to see the paramedics ID card and note his/her HPC (Health Professional council) number this begins with the letters PA and can be checked against the HPC website www.hpcheck.org or phone 0845 3004 472 if he/she refuses DO NOT LET THEM GO ANY FURTHER and report this to the company concerned It is your right you have your security/health to consider.

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