AMBULANCE AND EMERGENCY CARE WORKER TRAINEESHIP JOBS PDF
The primary task of ambulance and emergency care workers is to give pre-hospital emergency care to sick or injured persons. They must try to resuscitate and stabilise patients and prevent further injuries until patients are entrusted to the emergency personnel at the hospital.
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What am I going to do in this occupation?
All ambulances are in contact with a central control centre by radio or computer. When receiving a call, the nearest available ambulance or rapid response vehicle is dispatched to the scene.
At the scene, a quick assessment of the patient/s is made. The appropriate treatment is given, which includes basic life-support and treatment of wounds and fractures. Depending on the level of training, drugs can be given to the patient.
Specialised equipment and rescue tools like the “Jaws of Life” can also be used to free a person from a wreckage.
After treatment, the patient is transported to hospital by ambulance. On route treatment is provided to the patient. At the hospital the patient is handed over with a report of the injuries of, and treatment received by the patient.
After this procedure, ambulance and emergency care workers return to a base where linen and equipment are replaced.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need?
Ambulance and emergency care workers must be able to make decisions in a calm, assured way and have extensive knowledge of emergency care. They should be sympathetic, responsible and sincere. Prospective ambulance and emergency care workers should have a valid code 08 driver’s licence.
Before ambulance and emergency care workers can be appointed, they have to pass a medical examination and undergo psychometric and fitness tests, as required by their employers.
What kind of school training do I need?
Prospective ambulance and emergency care workers should be at least 18 years old. A Grade 10 Certificate is required for in-service training, but a Senior Certificate is preferred. To gain admission to the N.Dip. Ambulance and Emergency Care at a technikon, a Senior Certificate is required. A level three First Aid Certificate will be a recommendation.
Compulsory school subjects: Mathematics and Physical Science.
Recommended school subjects: Biology.
What further training do I need?
In-service training
Ambulance and emergency care workers receive in-service training. The Basic Ambulance Course (B.A.C.) extends over four weeks and is offered at various centres country-wide. In this course ambulance and emergency care workers are introduced to and trained in basic life-support and the equipment used in an ambulance. Successful completion of this course serves as admission to the next course.
After a minimum period of six months, ambulance personnel who are interested to improve their knowledge and skills or who would like to be promoted, can apply for the Ambulance Emergency Assistant (A.E.A.) Course. This is an eleven-week course in which advanced training in life-support is offered. After successful completion of the final exam and after the prescribed practical experience has been gained, candidates can register with the INMDC of SA as ambulance emergency assistants.
Further courses with which ambulance and emergency care workers can improve their qualifications, are the Basic Medical Rescue Course, the Critical Care Assistant Course and the Minimum Safety Driving Course.
Technikon
The N.Dip. Ambulance and Emergency Care is offered at the Technikons Witwatersrand and Natal. This course includes a great deal of practical training and enables candidates to register as emergency care technologists after completion of the course.
Where can I work?
Employment possibilities exist in the provincial and private ambulance and emergency services, local authorities, civil defence units, SANDF and the mining industry.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
No.
Where can I get further information?
- The Registrar, Technikon Natal, PO Box 953, Durban, 4000.
- The Registrar, Technikon Witwatersrand, PO Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028.
- Possible employers can also be contacted.