ACAP 2010 Conference
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What is a Paramedic?

A Paramedic is a health care professional providing medical assessment, treatment and care in the out of hospital environment.  Paramedics respond to, assess and treat patients in emergency situations, transport them to a hospital for further treatment (if necessary) or arrange alternative treatment options. 

In Australia, there are varying levels of Paramedic and the specific level of care and skills required is determined by the employing authority.  ACAP defines these levels from two perspectives; for the individual and the role. 

Individuals

Paramedic

  • Educated to a minimum of Diploma of Health Science (or its equivalent), AND
  • Employed to provide these skills and medications in the provision of professional emergency health care and transportation within the last year (12 months), OR
  • Successful completion of an annual professional development program to paramedic level within the last year (12 months), eg: Certified Ambulance Professional (CAP) program

 Intensive Care Paramedic

  • Educated to a minimum of Diploma of Health Science (or its equivalent), AND
  • Educated to a minimum of Certificate of Intensive Care (or its equivalent), AND
  • Employed to provide these skills and medications in the provision of professional emergency health care and transportation within the last year (12 months), OR
  • Successful completion of an annual professional development program to intensive care paramedic level within the last year (12 months), eg: Certified Ambulance Professional (CAP) program

 Flight Paramedic

  • Educated to a minimum of Diploma of Health Science (or its equivalent), AND
  • Educated to a minimum of Certificate of Aeromedical Retrieval (or its equivalent), AND
  • Employed to provide these skills and medications in the provision of professional emergency health care and transportation within the last year (12 months), OR
  • Successful completion of an annual professional development program to flight paramedic level within the last year (12 months), eg: Certified Ambulance Professional (CAP) program

 Intensive Care Flight Paramedic

  • Educated to a minimum of Diploma of Health Science (or its equivalent), AND
  • Educated to a minimum of Certificate of Intensive Care (or its equivalent), AND
  • Educated to a minimum of Certificate of Aeromedical Retrieval (or its equivalent), AND
  • Employed to provide these skills and medications in the provision of professional emergency health care and transportation within the last year (12 months), OR
  • Successful completion of an annual professional development program to intensive care flight paramedic level within the last year (12 months), eg: Certified Ambulance Professional (CAP) program

Role definitions

Paramedic

  • Educated to a minimum of Diploma of Health Science (or its equivalent), AND
  • Employed to provide these skills and medications in the provision of professional emergency health care and transportation, AND
  • Clinical practice at this level is greater than 50% of the position description

 Intensive Care Paramedic

  • Educated to a minimum of Diploma of Health Science (or its equivalent), AND
  • Educated to a minimum of Certificate of Intensive Care (or its equivalent), AND
  • Employed to provide these skills and medications in the provision of professional emergency health care and transportation, AND
  • Clinical practice at this level is greater than 50% of the position description

 Flight Paramedic

  • Educated to a minimum of Diploma of Health Science (or its equivalent), AND
  • Educated to a minimum of Certificate of Aeromedical Retrieval (or its equivalent), AND
  • Employed to provide these skills and medications in the provision of professional emergency health care and transportation, AND
  • Clinical practice at this level is greater than 50% of the position description

 Intensive Care Flight Paramedic

  • Educated to a minimum of Diploma of Health Science (or its equivalent), AND
  • Educated to a minimum of Certificate of Intensive Care (or its equivalent), AND
  • Educated to a minimum of Certificate of Aeromedical Retrieval (or its equivalent), AND
  • Employed to provide these skills and medications in the provision of professional emergency health care and transportation, AND
  • Clinical practice at this level is greater than 50% of the position description

These definitions will be reviewed by the College in 2010.