Click on above to return to PAS/NAPAS Index or on any underlined item for further details
In the words of the Noble Lord Sewel in answer to questions raised in the British Parliament (House of Lords) on the 3rd July 1997.
"My Lords, the difficulty is that the profession of
paramedics is relatively new. I do not think that anyone is yet certain about the appropriate qualification for a paramedic. Considerable progress has still to be made on that issue."at this time
In both the UK and Eire the terminology of Paramedic is indeed new compared to that of an "Ambulance Technician" who is skilled in "Ambulance Aid".
It has been Nationally recognised since 1970, that Ambulance Aid is a skill of Care & Treatment prior to, and during transportation, and that these skills can only be achieved through both training and experience. That essential experience should always be obtained through qualified supervision; this includes both Basic and the Extended Skills. NAPAS Professional Ambulance Service Members, working for P.A.S. "First Call" undertaking Repatriation Services through the PAS Ambulance Network always ensure that this is undertaken before they accept staff as being competent.
In the UK & Eire, what is a "Paramedic"?
We believe it to be,
"An Extended Trained Ambulance or Nurse Technician. Who is suitably Insured and Certificated as competent in Extended Skills"
All Extended Skills clinical training and any refreshment training must always be undertaken in a Recognised Hospital environment, as it is only here that they can be tested.
All extended trained staff. Except those that are full time, (within either Hospital Trauma working or, who are engaged on full time front-line Accident & Emergency duties) must undertake. "An annual re-assessment of their clinical skills, and obtain a letter of clinical competency issued by an appropriate Qualified Doctor of Medicine, who is qualified in the skills required. Private Ambulance Paramedical Staff are also encouraged to undertake additional training in PHTLS and ATLS for advanced provider levels.
Extended trained staff must be proficient as a minimum in intubations, infusion, defibrillation, with added drug protocol as necessary .
History
In the UK during the year 2,000. Ambulance Paramedics employed in the NHS have to be registered through the CPSM in order to become State Registered. Private Paramedics had been excluded from this Register and continue to practice as 'Extended Trained Ambulance Technicians (Paramedics) or Extended Trained Nurse's (Paramedics). Since the 9th July 2003 it has been mandatory for all persons using the title of "Paramedic" to be registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) however, the scope of practice varies quote the HPC "your particular scope of practice may mean that you are unable to continue to demonstrate that you meet all of the standards that apply for the whole of your profession. As long as you make sure that you are practising safely and effectively within your given scope of practice and do not practice in areas where you are not proficient to do so, this will not be a problem."
THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY NAPAS INSIST ON THE EXTENDED TRAINED STANDARDS AS A MINIMUM REQUIREMENT EVEN FOR STATE REGISTERED PARAMEDICS
We include a useful Link to the Search Register of UK State Registered Paramedics below.
Other Extended Trained staff engaged by NAPAS Services, are duly certified by an appropriate Doctor of Medicine in the UK or Eire (as is required)
Click on any underlined subject for more details.
+0044(0)1733-840407 all inquiries are welcome
revised 26/4/2020