THE TRAINING

FOR A BASIC AMBULANCE ATTENDANT (BAA):

This is a Basic Life Support certification and the minimum qualification to be a crew member of an ambulance.

Training includes a 160hour course of lectures and practical simulations. It covers basic anatomy and physiology, basic life support, including CPR and first aid, emergency care, use of ambulance equipment, including automatic external defibrillators, and various medico-legal issues. AMBULANCE EMERGENCY ASSISTANT (AEA):

This is an Intermediate Life Support certification but with added skills.

To apply, candidates must have a minimum of 1 000 hours of practical experience as a BAA and they must pass an entrance exam.

As an alternative route to certification, those completing the more advanced tertiary qualifications may be certified as an AEA after successfully completing their first or second year of training. This consists of a 470-hour course with 240 hours of lectures and practical simulations, and 230 hours of experiential learning.

AEAs are qualified to practice invasive techniques such as IV therapy, needle cricothyroidotomy and needle thoracocentesis, as well as electrocardiogram interpretation, manual external defibrillation, and may administer drugs. CRITICAL CARE ASSISTANT (CCA):

This is an Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification with no national qualifications framework.

Candidates must complete a 1 200-hour course and are qualified to practise an array of invasive techniques, perform cardioversion, and administer sedatives and other drugs. NATIONAL DIPLOMA EMC:

For an individual who has completed a three-year course at a technikon and practical year at a recognised training service.

The course includes all of the above mentioned subjects, plus advanced rescue skills, ambulance technology, chemistry and physics and advanced anatomy and physiology. BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY:

The clinician qualification is a four-year professional degree in Emergency Medical Care and is placed on the Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP) register, which has an additional scope of practice.

The most notable addition in stand-alone capabilities include thrombolysis and rapid sequence induction. ECPs are also trained in the rescue disciplines offered by their university, normally up to the level of Advanced Rescue Practitioner. EMERGENCY CARE TECHNICIAN (ECT):

This mid-level course is of two years’ duration, and exits on a level just above what many know as Intermediate Life Support (ILS), but below Advanced Life Support (ALS). This course is covered at several training colleges.

They are placed on the ECT register.

– Source: ER24