Paramedic Training in Australia

Training for paramedics in Australia is under government regulation, and the government issues differing levels of certificates. All paramedics must have at least a bachelor's degree in some healthcare field. Some even have second degrees, for example in nursing and paramedicine. Typically training takes 3 years of classroom and some working experience. After this, further training is necessary to qualify as an Advanced Life Support paramedic.

Function

Certified paramedics are able to provide basic life support including inserting intravenous lines, providing drug therapy, giving injections and performing basic blood and heart testing. An advanced paramedic can provide intensive care procedures including placing laryngeal masks, treating cardiac arrest with intravenous adrenaline and defibrillation. With more advanced training, mobile paramedics may perform medically necessary procedures in rescue situations such as automobile accidents. With the highest level of training, paramedics can provide intensive care to patients.

Features

A diploma in Paramedical Science involves 6 to 12 months of external studies followed by 3 to 6 weeks of classroom sessions and then placement in a clinical setting. This program is followed after the student has received certificates in ambulance health care or basic emergency care, which accounts for the total length of training. An Ambulance Health Care Certificate IV (HLT41007) is a requirement for those providing either paid or volunteer basic emergency response and transport services. The Basic Health Care Certificate III (HLT33107) is a requirement for voluntary or paid person who give basic health services to clients under supervision.

Considerations

Work shifts for paramedics vary. For example, according to one account, paramedics in South Australia work a 4-day on and 4-day off schedule consisting of 2 10-hour day shifts followed by 2 14-hour night shifts. This is followed by 4 days off. Given the intensive involvement with patients who often are in a serious medical condition, this is no profession for anyone without an extremely stable personality, capable of making quick but intelligent decisions in emergencies.

Types

Workers in the paramedical/allied health field have different job titles and work at different levels of care. First Responders begin life sustaining treatment before ambulances are on the scene. Their care could be termed advanced first aid. Patient Transport Officers serve to transport patients on a non-emergency basis to medical care. Ambulance Officers, Ambulance Paramedics and Ambulance Attendants provide similar levels of emergency care. Advanced Care Paramedics, Intensive Care Paramedics, Rescue Paramedics and Flight Paramedics involve extensive additional training beyond the basic paramedic level.

Potential

While there will always be a need for paramedics, the field in Australia is somewhat limited for several reasons. There are a finite number of institutions in Australia who need paramedics. For example, in St. John's, Australia, there may be only 20 to 30 openings a year and as many as 300 paramedics compete for these jobs. There is a low attrition rate in the educational programs, estimated at around 10 percent. However, the psychological benefits of helping people who need emergency services continue to attract new applicants.

Resources

• Australian College of Ambulance Professionals