Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

EMT or Paramedic

  • 17-03-2009 5:16pm
    #1
    vulcan57
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,348 ✭✭✭


    I have been wondering for a good while now what the difference is between an EMT and a Parmedic. When I did my first first aid course with the RNLI in 1997 the RNLI instructor said that there were no paramedics in Ireland, can't remember the reason he gave for that. Googling around, it seems that he maybe right even now. It seems that a paramedic can administer certain drugs, give IV's and use heart monitoring equipment. But it looks as if there two types of EMT basic and advanced,even the advanced can only put cathaders in and are not allowed to use heart monitoring equipment. I read one story on one Irish forum that said that there have been cases where ambulance personel have arrived to attend an unstable diabetic and a family member is standing there with a syringe of insulin waiting for them to administer it, but they have to inform them that they aren't qualified to do so. Also, it seems that to become a fully qualified paramedic, it takes between 1200 and 1500 hours of training.

    I'm not knocking the ambulance personel for a minute, they do a wonderful job no mater what. Just wondering if this is the case, then why is there no further training to bring these EMT's up to the standard of paramedic.


Comments

  • #2
    dredre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭dredre


    If you go to www.phecit.ie you will see the different levels of practitioner.

    EMT was the only grade until a few years ago. Most EMTs have been upskilled to paramedic standard by now but the advanced paramedic is really the equivalent of what a paramedic is in other countries. We have about 130 APs currently. All 3 grades are able to defibrillate. None is licensed to give insulin. Only APs can cannulate (I presume this is what you mean by "inserting cathaders").


  • #3
    Tango Alpha 51
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 437 ✭✭Tango Alpha 51


    It takes roughly two years now including probation to "pass out" as a paramedic. You then have to be 5yrs post qualfied before you can be considered for the Advanced Paramedic programme which if your successfull in getting on the course is approx another 9mths of intensive studying & training. Things have moved along very quickly over the last two yrs or so within the EMS side of things ( maybe not as quick as some of us would like) but then you do have to learn to walk before you can run. Hopefully progress will be maintained even during these difficult times of recession.

    As Dredre says, check out the PHECC website & you'll see how much things have improved from the old dark days of EMS


Advertisement