Roles & Responsibilities Roles & Responsibilities of the Paramedicof the Paramedic

Chapter 1Chapter 1

CASE STUDY DISCUSSIONCASE STUDY DISCUSSION

Read the Case Study on Pages 4 Read the Case Study on Pages 4 and 5and 5

ObjectivesObjectives

State the major purposes of the State the major purposes of the National Registry of Emergency National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Medical Technicians.

Describe the major benefits of Describe the major benefits of subscribing to professional subscribing to professional journals. journals.

ObjectivesObjectives Define the role of the EMT-Define the role of the EMT-

Paramedic. Paramedic. Define and give examples of Define and give examples of

professional ethics. professional ethics. Define and give examples of Define and give examples of

behavior that characterizes the behavior that characterizes the health care professional. health care professional.

ObjectivesObjectives

List the duties of the EMT-List the duties of the EMT-Paramedic in preparation for Paramedic in preparation for handling emergency medical handling emergency medical responses. responses.

List the duties of the EMT-List the duties of the EMT-Paramedic during an emergency Paramedic during an emergency response.response.

ObjectivesObjectives List the duties of the EMT-List the duties of the EMT-

Paramedic after an emergency Paramedic after an emergency response. response.

List the post-graduation List the post-graduation responsibilities of the EMT-responsibilities of the EMT-Paramedic. Paramedic.

Recognize differences among Recognize differences among certification, licensure, and certification, licensure, and reciprocity. reciprocity.

Objectives Objectives State the benefits and State the benefits and

responsibilities of continuing responsibilities of continuing education for the Paramedic. education for the Paramedic.

List the duties of the Paramedic List the duties of the Paramedic during an emergency response. during an emergency response.

List the duties of the Paramedic List the duties of the Paramedic after an emergency response. after an emergency response.

ObjectivesObjectives List the postgraduation responsibilities List the postgraduation responsibilities

of the EMT-Paramedic. of the EMT-Paramedic. Recognize differences among Recognize differences among

certification, licensure, and reciprocity. certification, licensure, and reciprocity. State the benefits and responsibilities State the benefits and responsibilities

of continuing education for the EMT-of continuing education for the EMT-Paramedic. Paramedic.

ObjectivesObjectives State the major purposes of a State the major purposes of a

national organization. national organization. List some national organizations List some national organizations

for EMS providers. for EMS providers. State the major purposes of the State the major purposes of the

National Registry of Emergency National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Medical Technicians.

ObjectivesObjectives Describe the major benefits of Describe the major benefits of

subscribing to professional subscribing to professional journals. journals.

State the major purposes of a State the major purposes of a national organization. national organization.

List some national organizations List some national organizations for EMS providers. for EMS providers.

ObjectivesObjectives

State the major purposes of the State the major purposes of the National Registry of Emergency National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Medical Technicians.

Describe the major benefits of Describe the major benefits of subscribing to professional subscribing to professional journals. journals.

Emergency Medical Emergency Medical ServicesServices

Complex health care system that Complex health care system that provides immediate, on scene provides immediate, on scene patient care to those suffering patient care to those suffering from illness or injury.from illness or injury.

What is a Paramedic?What is a Paramedic?

By the side of the DoctorBy the side of the Doctor Highest Trained Prehospital ProviderHighest Trained Prehospital Provider Primary Responsibility is Patient CarePrimary Responsibility is Patient Care Provide support to family members or Provide support to family members or

bystandersbystanders

Ambulance crew of 1958. Ambulance crew of 1958.

Disadvantages of the 1958 Disadvantages of the 1958 System System

No Trained PersonnelNo Trained Personnel No StandardsNo Standards No Emergency Access NumbersNo Emergency Access Numbers

Compare the Patient Care Compare the Patient Care Between the scenerios. Between the scenerios.

Provide Professional Level of Provide Professional Level of Patient CarePatient Care

Able to begin treatments Able to begin treatments immediatelyimmediately

Multiple Casuality Incident and Multiple Casuality Incident and ProceduresProcedures

Incident Command ProceduresIncident Command Procedures

Introduction to Emergency Introduction to Emergency Medical Services Medical Services

• Need for realistic expectations of Need for realistic expectations of paramedic practiceparamedic practice

• Paramedic job description and Paramedic job description and responsibilitiesresponsibilities

• The challenges of becoming a The challenges of becoming a paramedicparamedic

Changes in the FieldChanges in the Field

Pre-1966 Pre-1966 environmentenvironment

White PaperWhite Paper US Dept. of US Dept. of

TransportationTransportation

Dr. J. Frank Dr. J. Frank Pantridge Pantridge

First Paramedic First Paramedic ClassClass

Impact of TV Impact of TV Show Show “Emergency” “Emergency”

Pre-1966 EMSPre-1966 EMS

Poorly trained techniciansPoorly trained technicians Minimal EquipmentMinimal Equipment No MD involvementNo MD involvement No Radio CommunicationsNo Radio Communications No Systematic ApproachNo Systematic Approach

Impact of the “White Impact of the “White Paper”Paper”

National Report Published in 1966National Report Published in 1966 Exposed deficiencies in emergency Exposed deficiencies in emergency

medical caremedical care Outlined suggestions for Outlined suggestions for

improvementsimprovements

US Dept of TransportationUS Dept of Transportation

Responsible for Implementing EMT Responsible for Implementing EMT StandardsStandards

Developed Course CurriculumsDeveloped Course Curriculums Standardized Equipment Standardized Equipment

RequirementsRequirements

Dr. Frank Pantridge M.D.Dr. Frank Pantridge M.D.

Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, IrelandIreland

Introduced the concept of Pre-Introduced the concept of Pre-hospital providershospital providers

Predates US Legislature for EMT’sPredates US Legislature for EMT’s

Dr. Eugene Nagel M.D.Dr. Eugene Nagel M.D.

University of Miami School of University of Miami School of MedicineMedicine

Trained the first U.S. Paramedics in Trained the first U.S. Paramedics in MiamiMiami

Los Angeles, Seattle and Columbus Los Angeles, Seattle and Columbus soon followed in training programs.soon followed in training programs.

The Cultural Impact The Cultural Impact “Emergency!”“Emergency!”

Professional Ethics Professional Ethics

Standards of conduct designed for Standards of conduct designed for the patient's benefitthe patient's benefit

Oath of Geneva, EMT Oath, EMT Oath of Geneva, EMT Oath, EMT Code of Ethics Code of Ethics

Legal obligations vs. ethical Legal obligations vs. ethical responsibilitiesresponsibilities

Professional Ethics Con’tProfessional Ethics Con’t

The art and science of pre-hospital The art and science of pre-hospital EMSEMS– Delivering a highly technical level of Delivering a highly technical level of

patient carepatient care– Having compassion and respect for Having compassion and respect for

human dignityhuman dignity

Professionalism in EMSProfessionalism in EMS

Promotes high-quality patient carePromotes high-quality patient care Takes pride in the professionTakes pride in the profession Sets high goalsSets high goals Earns respect and confidence of crew Earns respect and confidence of crew

membersmembers Professional and nonprofessional Professional and nonprofessional

behaviorsbehaviors Maintaining a professional attitude Maintaining a professional attitude

through effortthrough effort

The Role of the ParamedicThe Role of the Paramedic

emerchnge.wav

Basic Duties of the Basic Duties of the ParamedicParamedic

Provide competent emergency Provide competent emergency medical care medical care

Provide emotional support for patient Provide emotional support for patient and familyand family

Provide for the well-being of the Provide for the well-being of the patientpatient

Preparatory DutiesPreparatory Duties Medical knowledge*Medical knowledge* Skill mastery*Skill mastery* Knowledge of local Knowledge of local

treatment treatment protocols*protocols*

*All of these duties *All of these duties are desirable, but are desirable, but the first 3 are the first 3 are mandatorymandatory

Knowledge of Knowledge of system system particularsparticulars

Physical fitnessPhysical fitness Psychological Psychological

wellnesswellness

Leadership characteristicsLeadership characteristics

Self-confidence Self-confidence Established credibility through field Established credibility through field

workwork Inner strength, always in control Inner strength, always in control Ability to communicateAbility to communicate Decisive, accepts responsibilityDecisive, accepts responsibility

Duties During an Duties During an Emergency Emergency

Scene size-up and safetyScene size-up and safety Needs determination and communicationNeeds determination and communication Patient assessment and assignment of Patient assessment and assignment of

priorities of carepriorities of care Development of a treatment plan and Development of a treatment plan and

initiation of careinitiation of care Assessment of the effects of treatmentAssessment of the effects of treatment Establishment of contact with medical Establishment of contact with medical

controlcontrol Patient transportationPatient transportation Maintenance of rapport with the patient Maintenance of rapport with the patient

Duties After an Emergency Duties After an Emergency

Restocking and cleaning vehicleRestocking and cleaning vehicle Completion of full and accurate Completion of full and accurate

documentation of the calldocumentation of the call Call review and critique with team Call review and critique with team

membersmembers Critical-incident stress recognitionCritical-incident stress recognition

Post-Graduate Post-Graduate Responsibilities Responsibilities

Types of professional recognitionTypes of professional recognition Maintenance of knowledge and Maintenance of knowledge and

skillsskills

Professional RecognitionProfessional Recognition

Certification Certification Licensure Licensure ReciprocityReciprocity

Maintain Knowledge & Maintain Knowledge & SkillsSkills

Refresher classesRefresher classes Attending Attending

seminars seminars

Practicing skillsPracticing skills Reading journalsReading journals

Teaching Public Education Teaching Public Education ClassesClasses

CPRCPR EMS system education EMS system education

Continuing Education Continuing Education

Combating erosion of knowledge and Combating erosion of knowledge and skills skills

Obtaining new information and skills Obtaining new information and skills Types of educational formats Types of educational formats

available available Importance of keeping current Importance of keeping current

Professional Organizations Professional Organizations

Forums for sharing ideas and Forums for sharing ideas and information information

Provide paramedic with a voice in Provide paramedic with a voice in EMS-related issues EMS-related issues

Serve as clearinghouses for Serve as clearinghouses for continuing education continuing education

National EMS National EMS Organizations Organizations

National Association of EMT’s National Association of EMT’s National Flight Paramedics Association National Flight Paramedics Association National Association for Search and National Association for Search and

Rescue Rescue National Council of State EMS Training National Council of State EMS Training

Coordinators Coordinators National Association of State EMS National Association of State EMS

Directors Directors National Association of EMS Physicians National Association of EMS Physicians

National Registry National Registry Assists in developing/evaluating Assists in developing/evaluating

EMT training programs EMT training programs Establishes qualifications for Establishes qualifications for

registration and re-registration registration and re-registration Establishes national minimum level Establishes national minimum level

of competencyof competency Serves as a tool for interstate Serves as a tool for interstate

reciprocityreciprocity

Professional Journals Professional Journals

The importance of subscribing to The importance of subscribing to an EMS journal an EMS journal

Keeping current through reading Keeping current through reading Opportunities to publish articles Opportunities to publish articles Continuing education credits Continuing education credits