Emergency Medical Technician - level 1:
Education
Australia: Certificate III in Non-emergency Client Transport
Scope of Practice
* Advanced first aid
* Use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)
* Use of infection control practices relevant to the clinical environment
* Emergency management of cardiac arrest
* Basic airway management
* Administration of a limited range of medications according to protocol e.g. oxygen therapy, inhaled analgesia and adrenaline via an auto-injector
* Use of stretchers and patient movement devices
* Emergency triage
* Non-emergency driving
Emergency Medical Technician - level 2:
Education:
Australia: Certificate IV in Health Care (Ambulance)
New Zealand: National Diploma in Ambulance Practice (level 5)
Scope of Practice
* Australian Resuscitation Council – Basic Life Support including use of Laryngeal Mask Airway
* New Zealand Basic Life Support as defined by Ambulance Service Sector Standard 8156 & New Zealand National Clinical Guidelines
* Use of Infection Control practices relevant to clinical environment
* Attendance at and initial management of the full range of emergency callouts
* Use of ECG monitor and pulse oximetry
* Use of an automated external defibrillator
* Emergency Management of Cardiac Arrest
* Administration of a limited range of medications according to protocol to assist with the management of asthma, anaphylaxis, burns, narcotic overdose, chest pain, * * ACPO, hypoglycaemia, pain control & seizures
* Mental Health Crisis Intervention
* Management of patients across the lifespan including emergency childbirth (uncomplicated)
* Ongoing Management of Intravenous Infusions
* Spinal Stabilisation
* Use of stretchers and patient movement devices
* Emergency triage
* Emergency driving
Paramedic:
Education
Bachelor Degree in Paramedic or Health Science (or equivalent) and completion of an internship program.
Scope of Practice:
* Australian Resuscitation Council – Intermediate life support including use of supraglottic airway devices e.g. LMA
* New Zealand intermediate life support as defined by Ambulance Service Sector Standard 8156 & New Zealand National Clinical Guidelines
* Use of infection control practices relevant to clinical environment
* Emergency Management of the unconscious patient, cardiac arrest, asthma, anaphylaxis, burns, narcotic overdose, chest pain, acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (ACPO), hypoglycaemia, pain control (using narcotics), seizures, traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, abnormalities of ventilation, neurovascular incidents & hypovoleamia
* Use of a range of medications (S4 and S8)
* Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring and interpretation
* Mental health crisis intervention
* Management of patients across the lifespan including obstetric emergencies and childbirth
* Use of a stretcher and other patient movement devices
* Emergency driving
* Emergency management and triage
* Extrication and basic rescue
* Access to a range of patient referral pathways (depending upon local circumstance)
* Basic nursing (AHPRA Division 2 Registration)
General Care Paramedic:
Education
Postgraduate study i.e., Masters (GCP) and completion of an internship program.
Scope of Practice
* Includes Paramedic Scope Of Practice
* Specialist patient assessment including point of care blood testing, ordering plain film x-rays and various specimen testing
* Immunisations e.g. tetanus, influenza, hepatitis
* Specialist management of wounds (cleaning, closure and dressing), infections (including a broad range of oral and IV antibiotics), dehydration, soft tissue injury, chronic pain and palliative care
* Reduction of common dislocations e.g. patella, anterior shoulder, finger
* Urinary catheter (male and female) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube reinsertion
* Use of a wide range of generalist and specialist referral pathways: general medical practitioner, district nurses, palliative care services and community social services
Intensive Care Paramedic:
Education
Post Graduate Study e.g. Graduate Diploma (ICP) or Masters (ICP) and completion of an internship program.
Scope of Practice
* Includes paramedic scope of practice
* Australian Resuscitation Council – Advanced Life Support
* New Zealand Advanced Life Support as defined by Ambulance Service Sector Standard 8156 & New Zealand National Clinical Guidelines
* Advanced airway management (including medication facilitated intubation in some jurisdictions)
* Intra-osseous access
* External cardiac pacing and synchronised cardioversion
* Advanced clinical management of pain, ACS and cardiac dysrthymias including cardiac arrest, trauma and abnormalities of ventilation
* Use of an expanded range of medications relevant to the role
Critical Care Paramedic:
Education
Specialist Post Graduate Study e.g. Graduate Certificate (RP) or Masters (RP) and an internship program
Scope of Practice
* Includes intensive care paramedic scope of practice
* Advanced clinical assessment including interpretation of blood tests and x-rays
* Specialist clinical management to support the safe transfer of critically injured or ill patients to definitive care
* Rapid sequence intubation
* Use of mechanical ventilators and medication administration devices
* Use of an expanded range of medications relevant to the role
