What are the responsibilities of a paramedic?

Answer 1

Paramedics are an integral element of the medical circuit that assists doctors in diagnosis, treatment, and medical attention to ill or injured individuals. This includes reporting, documentation, supply management, infection control, etc. among other things like :

1. They administer oral medications or IV injections.

2. They assist in surgical procedures like inserting a breathing tube.

3. They are trained to use a defibrillator or shock equipment for resuscitation.

4. They help in first aid and treatment of wounds and injuries.

5. They educate patients and their relatives.

6. They carry out the rehabilitation of patients.

7. They manage laboratories or clinics and help diagnose diseases with the help of blood tests, X-rays, MRI, CT scans, ultrasound, etc.

8. They work as technicians/pharmacists, and operate medical equipment, and read reports such as ECG.

If you also want to be a Medical Lab or OT Technician by doing the paramedical course you can join Virohan for that.

Answer 2

A paramedic has many different responsibilities while transporting a patient to the hospital. Some of these responsibilities include resuscitating patients, administering intravenous medications, performing intubations, and helping calm family and friends down.

Answer 3

Paramedics.... if you break down the word Para( part or half) and Medic( treatment or dr)... This means that the Paramedic works on behalf of the Dr. who cannot be there in the field. s/he takes direct orders from the MD/OD, until the patient makes it to the Emergency Room.

Answer 4

Paramedics are responsible for providing care to any and all patients that either need help in a medical or traumatic way. Depending on what type of system the paramedic is working in; public service - 911, or private services/sector such as a secondary service - transport service, emergency medical technicians have clinical guidelines (field operating procedures) that are written by a doctor, or group of doctors that are set standards for offline operations, as in something we would not need to call a doctor for, it has already been approved. This would be the type of care that qualifies for the situation.

For example: If a medic had a patient with chest pain as well as other pertinent signs and symptoms, it would allow the Paramedic to follow a Chest Pain protocol. This would involve giving certain drugs such as Nitrates, Acetylsalicylic acids, and even federally regulated Narcotics medications. Generally a protocol would look something like this:

-Apply o2

-Acquire 12-Lead ECG

-Obtain vascular access (IV) Preferably with the largest IV obtainable.

-Acquire VS (vital signs)

-ASA (aspirin) 324mg

-If BP (blood pressure) >90mmHg Nitro .4mg q5 min c BP >90mmHg

-If pain is not relieved, or is still 8 out of 10 p 2nd dose give Morphine 10mg in 2mg increments prn to max c BP >90mmHg.

-If BP is >90mmHg give 200cc - 300cc bolus NS - check b/s (breath sounds)

-Etc.. Etc.. (sorry for not explaining everything, it's just to give you a general idea.)

These are called Dr's OFFLINE orders. Most of the orders that are in your protocols will be what you have learned in school. Because they will closely correspond with what Doctors would likely do for preliminary care in the hospital - stabilization care. It's likely, that the protocols will be closely related to the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians - Paramedics.

Responsibilities involve: Knowing what your giving, how your giving it, what it's going to do, how the patient could react to it - especially if the patient has never had this medicine and how the affects can be reversed if it affects the patient in a negative way. You would also need to know when to give medications or the types of other resources that you have. In the system that I am in now we have around 60 different medications that can be given. Most likely if you become a paramedic, you will be responsible for everything that occurs on the ambulance, because it's likely you will be working with a lower certified provider.

Long story short: You are there to make peoples worst day(s) of their life, a better one.

:)

Answer 5

Skills include: Advanced CPR, Airway management, suction, ventilation, patient assessment medical and trauma, immobilization, soft tissue injuries, moving patients, emergency child birth, medication administration, environmental exposures, triage and documentation. Responsibilities are: Responding to medical emergencies on or off duty (legal duty to act), getting the patient from where you found them to the hospital in a better condition than you found them (dead is dead though). Documenting every step to cover your butt and doing what you are told by the boss or incident commander.

Answer 6

People's lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Incidents as varied as automobile accidents, heart attacks, slips and falls, childbirth, and gunshot wounds all require immediate medical attention. EMTs and paramedics provide this vital service as they care for and transport the sick or injured to a medical facility.

Answer 7

The following is written by and according to the U.S. Department of Labor and particular to the nature or work for an EMT and paramedic.

People's lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Incidents as varied as automobile accidents, heart attacks, slips and falls, childbirth, and gunshot wounds all require immediate medical attention. EMTs and paramedics provide this vital service as they care for and transport the sick or injured to a medical facility.

In an emergency, EMTs and paramedics are typically dispatched by a 911 operator to the scene, where they often work with police and fire fighters. (Police and detectives and firefighting occupations are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.) Once they arrive, EMTs and paramedics assess the nature of the patient's condition while trying to determine whether the patient has any pre-existing medical conditions. Following medical protocols and guidelines, they provide appropriate emergency care and, when necessary, transport the patient. Some paramedics are trained to treat patients with minor injuries on the scene of an accident or they may treat them at their home without transporting them to a medical facility. Emergency treatment is carried out under the medical direction of physicians.

EMTs and paramedics may use special equipment, such as backboards, to immobilize patients before placing them on stretchers and securing them in the ambulance for transport to a medical facility. These workers generally work in teams. During the transport of a patient, one EMT or paramedic drives while the other monitors the patient's vital signs and gives additional care as needed. Some paramedics work as part of a helicopter's flight crew to transport critically ill or injured patients to hospital trauma centers.

At the medical facility, EMTs and paramedics help transfer patients to the emergency department, report their observations and actions to emergency department staff, and may provide additional emergency treatment. After each run, EMTs and paramedics replace used supplies and check equipment. If a transported patient had a contagious disease, EMTs and paramedics decontaminate the interior of the ambulance and report cases to the proper authorities.

EMTs and paramedics also provide transportation for patients from one medical facility to another, particularly if they work for private ambulance services. Patients often need to be transferred to a hospital that specializes in their injury or illness or to a nursing home.

Beyond these general duties, the specific responsibilities of EMTs and paramedics depend on their level of qualification and training. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certifies emergency medical service providers at five levels: First Responder; EMT-Basic; EMT-Intermediate, which has two levels called 1985 and 1999; and Paramedic. Some States, however, have their own certification programs and use distinct names and titles.

The EMT-Basic represents the first component of the emergency medical technician system. An EMT trained at this level is prepared to care for patients at the scene of an accident and while transporting patients by ambulance to the hospital under medical direction. The EMT-Basic has the emergency skills to assess a patient's condition and manage respiratory, cardiac, and trauma emergencies.

The EMT-Intermediate has more advanced training. However, the specific tasks that those certified at this level are allowed to perform varies greatly from State to State.

EMT-Paramedics provide the most extensive pre-hospital care. In addition to carrying out the procedures of the other levels, paramedics may administer drugs orally and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal intubations, and use monitors and other complex equipment. However, like EMT-Intermediate, what paramedics are permitted to do varies by State.

Work environment. EMTs and paramedics work both indoors and out, in all types of weather. They are required to do considerable kneeling, bending, and heavy lifting. These workers risk noise-induced hearing loss from sirens and back injuries from lifting patients. In addition, EMTs and paramedics may be exposed to diseases such as hepatitis-B and AIDS, as well as violence from mentally unstable patients. The work is not only physically strenuous but can be stressful, sometimes involving life-or-death situations and suffering patients. Nonetheless, many people find the work exciting and challenging and enjoy the opportunity to help others.

EMTs and paramedics employed by fire departments work about 50 hours a week. Those employed by hospitals frequently work between 45 and 60 hours a week, and those in private ambulance services, between 45 and 50 hours. Some of these workers, especially those in police and fire departments, are on call for extended periods. Because emergency services function 24 hours a day, EMTs and paramedics have irregular working hours.

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