A paramedic deals with helping people who are in a state of immediate and sudden threat to their he alth or life. His duties include, first of all, assessing the he alth of the sick / injured person, providing them with first aid and, if necessary, supporting vital functions, also during transport to the hospital.
Paramedicexamines the basic parameters and vital functions of the patient and, on this basis, makes a decision about further treatment.
May perform standard tests (e.g. ECG) or administer medications, especially if it is a life-threatening situation.
A paramedic who comes to the injured, e.g. in an accident, also has the task of securing this place in order to prevent a greater number of victims or potential victims, and also cooperates with the police or fire brigade.
Until recently, it was enough to go to a post-secondary school with an appropriate profile to become a paramedic after graduation.
Currently (since 2013) you must complete three-year higher education in emergency medical services, completed with a bachelor's degree.
The classes include theoretical part: lectures, seminars, but also a large number of practical classes and apprenticeships, thanks to which students get used to the future profession.
After graduation, the education of a paramedic does not end, he participates in professional courses and seminars to improve his skills.
Graduates of medical rescue studies can work in hospital emergency departments, specialist and basic emergency medical teams (also with the police, army and fire brigades).
Paramedic - duties
The duties of a paramedic include, first of all, reaching the patient / injured person as soon as possible.
First of all, he must assess the patient's he alth condition, place him in the correct and safe position, give him first aid, and if necessary, support vital functions, also during transport to the hospital.
The Regulation of the Minister of He alth of 20 April 2016 on emergency medical services specifies in detail all activities that a paramedic cantake up independently as part of their profession. The most important ones include:
- starting and conducting basic and advanced CPR
- restoring airway patency without the use of devices
- restoring and securing airway patency with the use of e.g. oropharyngeal tube, nasopharyngeal tube, conicopuncture
- air suction
- initiation of oxygen therapy, respiratory support or artificial lung ventilation - endotracheal intubation and non-invasive ventilation in sudden cardiac arrest
- performing manual defibrillation based on ECG or cardiac monitor record
- performing automated defibrillation
- performing percutaneous cardiac electrostimulation
- performing cardioversion
- performing and evaluating the ECG recording
- respiratory function monitoring
- monitoring of cardiovascular function by non-invasive methods
- cannulation of peripheral veins and external jugular vein.
- drug administration, incl. intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, oral, sublingual, inhaled, and there is a detailed list of medications that can be administered by a paramedic
- decompression of a tension pneumothorax by puncture of the pleural cavity
- wound care
- stopping external bleeding
- immobilizing fractures, sprains and sprains
- immobilizing the spine with particular emphasis on the cervical section
- childbirth
Additionally, the same regulation of the Minister of He alth also specifies activities that can be performed by a paramedic under the supervision of a physician. These include :
- performing endotracheal intubation with the use of muscle relaxants
- urinary bladder catheterization
- inserting a gastric probe and gastric lavage, after securing the airway
Paramedic - predispositions
Paramedic is a very responsible profession, so it is so important that it is performed by people appointed to do so.
You need to demonstrate not only theoretical knowledge and practical skills, but also appropriate physical and mental predispositions.
Good physical condition is required (it is connected, for example, with the need to transfer the patient on a stretcher to an ambulance), but equally important is resistance to stress, the ability to act under time pressure, speed of decision-making, concentration and keeping calm and professionalism even in extremely difficult conditions.