Roles & Responsibilities of the Paramedic

1. Roles & Responsibilities of the Paramedic Chapter 1

2. CASE STUDY DISCUSSION • Read the Case Study on Pages 4 and 5

3. Objectives • State the major purposes of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. • Describe the major benefits of subscribing to professional journals.

4. Objectives • Define the role of the EMT-Paramedic. • Define and give examples of professional ethics. • Define and give examples of behavior that characterizes the health care professional.

5. Objectives • List the duties of the EMT-Paramedic in preparation for handling emergency medical responses. • List the duties of the EMT-Paramedic during an emergency response.

6. Objectives • List the duties of the EMT-Paramedic after an emergency response. • List the post-graduation responsibilities of the EMT-Paramedic. • Recognize differences among certification, licensure, and reciprocity.

7. Objectives • State the benefits and responsibilities of continuing education for the Paramedic. • List the duties of the Paramedic during an emergency response. • List the duties of the Paramedic after an emergency response.

8. Objectives • List the postgraduation responsibilities of the EMT-Paramedic. • Recognize differences among certification, licensure, and reciprocity. • State the benefits and responsibilities of continuing education for the EMT-Paramedic.

9. Objectives • State the major purposes of a national organization. • List some national organizations for EMS providers. • State the major purposes of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

10. Objectives • Describe the major benefits of subscribing to professional journals. • State the major purposes of a national organization. • List some national organizations for EMS providers.

11. Objectives • State the major purposes of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. • Describe the major benefits of subscribing to professional journals.

12. Emergency Medical Services • Complex health care system that provides immediate, on scene patient care to those suffering from illness or injury.

13. What is a Paramedic? • By the side of the Doctor • Highest Trained Prehospital Provider • Primary Responsibility is Patient Care • Provide support to family members or bystanders

14. Ambulance crew of 1958.

15. Disadvantages of the 1958 System • No Trained Personnel • No Standards • No Emergency Access Numbers

16. Compare the Patient Care Between the scenerios. • Provide Professional Level of Patient Care • Able to begin treatments immediately • Multiple Casuality Incident and Procedures • Incident Command Procedures

17. Introduction to Emergency Medical Services • Need for realistic expectations of paramedic practice • Paramedic job description and responsibilities • The challenges of becoming a paramedic

18. Pre-1966 environment White Paper US Dept. of Transportation Dr. J. Frank Pantridge First Paramedic Class Impact of TV Show “Emergency” Changes in the Field

19. Pre-1966 EMS • Poorly trained technicians • Minimal Equipment • No MD involvement • No Radio Communications • No Systematic Approach

20. Impact of the “White Paper” • National Report Published in 1966 • Exposed deficiencies in emergency medical care • Outlined suggestions for improvements

21. US Dept of Transportation • Responsible for Implementing EMT Standards • Developed Course Curriculums • Standardized Equipment Requirements

22. Dr. Frank Pantridge M.D. • Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, Ireland • Introduced the concept of Pre-hospital providers • Predates US Legislature for EMT’s

23. Dr. Eugene Nagel M.D. • University of Miami School of Medicine • Trained the first U.S. Paramedics in Miami • Los Angeles, Seattle and Columbus soon followed in training programs.

24. The Cultural Impact “Emergency!”

25. Professional Ethics • Standards of conduct designed for the patient's benefit • Oath of Geneva, EMT Oath, EMT Code of Ethics • Legal obligations vs. ethical responsibilities

26. Professional Ethics Con’t • The art and science of pre-hospital EMS • Delivering a highly technical level of patient care • Having compassion and respect for human dignity

27. Professionalism in EMS • Promotes high-quality patient care • Takes pride in the profession • Sets high goals • Earns respect and confidence of crew members • Professional and nonprofessional behaviors • Maintaining a professional attitude through effort

28. The Role of the Paramedic

29. Basic Duties of the Paramedic • Provide competent emergency medical care • Provide emotional support for patient and family • Provide for the well-being of the patient

30. Medical knowledge* Skill mastery* Knowledge of local treatment protocols* *All of these duties are desirable, but the first 3 are mandatory Knowledge of system particulars Physical fitness Psychological wellness Preparatory Duties

31. Leadership characteristics • Self-confidence • Established credibility through field work • Inner strength, always in control • Ability to communicate • Decisive, accepts responsibility

32. Duties During an Emergency • Scene size-up and safety • Needs determination and communication • Patient assessment and assignment of priorities of care • Development of a treatment plan and initiation of care • Assessment of the effects of treatment • Establishment of contact with medical control • Patient transportation • Maintenance of rapport with the patient

33. Duties After an Emergency • Restocking and cleaning vehicle • Completion of full and accurate documentation of the call • Call review and critique with team members • Critical-incident stress recognition

34. Post-Graduate Responsibilities • Types of professional recognition • Maintenance of knowledge and skills

35. Professional Recognition • Certification • Licensure • Reciprocity

36. Refresher classes Attending seminars Practicing skills Reading journals Maintain Knowledge & Skills

37. Teaching Public Education Classes • CPR • EMS system education

38. Continuing Education • Combating erosion of knowledge and skills • Obtaining new information and skills • Types of educational formats available • Importance of keeping current

39. Professional Organizations • Forums for sharing ideas and information • Provide paramedic with a voice in EMS-related issues • Serve as clearinghouses for continuing education

40. National EMS Organizations • National Association of EMT’s • National Flight Paramedics Association • National Association for Search and Rescue • National Council of State EMS Training Coordinators • National Association of State EMS Directors • National Association of EMS Physicians

41. National Registry • Assists in developing/evaluating EMT training programs • Establishes qualifications for registration and re-registration • Establishes national minimum level of competency • Serves as a tool for interstate reciprocity

42. Professional Journals • The importance of subscribing to an EMS journal • Keeping current through reading • Opportunities to publish articles • Continuing education credits