As promised here is a very brief information and summary with regard to EMS Services in the UK.
The EMS in the UK as in many parts of the world is undergoing changes, and this very much a brief summary and my take on the EMS in the UK.
The EMS training through all the levels is based purely on medicine, the rescue and fire components are considered as an additional to the various qualifications
Topics that are discussed :
1. Various roles / levels
2. The HPC
3. Salary Scales and Bands
4. Contact Information
1. Roles / Levels
Ambulance Care Assistant (ACA) / Patient Transport Service (PTS) Driver - Entry Level
The role:
Ambulance care assistants / PTS Drivers usually work in the patient transport service of an ambulance service or trust, where they will drive disabled, elderly and vulnerable people to and from outpatient clinics, daycare centres and to routine hospital admissions. They may work on their own or as part of a team.
The EMS in the UK as in many parts of the world is undergoing changes, and this very much a brief summary and my take on the EMS in the UK.
The EMS training through all the levels is based purely on medicine, the rescue and fire components are considered as an additional to the various qualifications
Topics that are discussed :
1. Various roles / levels
2. The HPC
3. Salary Scales and Bands
4. Contact Information
1. Roles / Levels
Ambulance Care Assistant (ACA) / Patient Transport Service (PTS) Driver - Entry Level
The role:
Ambulance care assistants / PTS Drivers usually work in the patient transport service of an ambulance service or trust, where they will drive disabled, elderly and vulnerable people to and from outpatient clinics, daycare centres and to routine hospital admissions. They may work on their own or as part of a team.
Entry requirements:
A good general high school education is usually required, but some services may require a Matric, GCSEs, NVQs or equivalent qualifications and / or relevant work experience.In order to drive an ambulance, whether emergency or non-emergency, you will need a full, manual driving licence. Ambulance service trusts use vehicles of different gross weights and staff will be required to hold a driving licence with the appropriate classifications. In some services, a 'standard' driving licence may be acceptable, but others may need an extra driving qualification to drive larger vehicles and carry passengers.
Training:
2 to 3 week training course covering moving and handling techniques, first aid, basic resuscitation skills, basic patient skills and safe driving techniques. Assessment is by written practical examinations.
Ambulance Technician – Basic Level / BLS / EMT-B / BAC
A good general high school education is usually required, but some services may require a Matric, GCSEs, NVQs or equivalent qualifications and / or relevant work experience.In order to drive an ambulance, whether emergency or non-emergency, you will need a full, manual driving licence. Ambulance service trusts use vehicles of different gross weights and staff will be required to hold a driving licence with the appropriate classifications. In some services, a 'standard' driving licence may be acceptable, but others may need an extra driving qualification to drive larger vehicles and carry passengers.
Training:
2 to 3 week training course covering moving and handling techniques, first aid, basic resuscitation skills, basic patient skills and safe driving techniques. Assessment is by written practical examinations.
Ambulance Technician – Basic Level / BLS / EMT-B / BAC
The current role:
Where they are still employed, Ambulance Technicians are members of the accident and emergency crew, answering 999 calls, working alongside ALS. Although ambulance services currently employ Ambulance Technicians, it is no longer possible to enter this role as a new entrant. Those Technicians currently working will be provided with opportunities to work as ECA’s or progress onto Paramedic training, where they meet the requirements to do so.
Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) – Intermediate Level / ILS / EMT-I / AEA
The role:
Emergency Care Assistants (ECAs) respond to emergency calls as part of an accident and emergency crew or at times as a first responder. Based with a service at a station or at a large hospital as part of a team.
Although ECAs will work with a Paramedic, they also need to work effectively as part of a larger team of people, including other ambulance service personnel.
Entry requirements:
A good general high school education is usually required, but some services may require a Matric,
3 GCSEs, NVQs or equivalent qualifications and / or relevant work experience
Training:
ECA’s complete a 7 to 9 week training course to an ILS Level
Career Development:
With further experience, ECA’s can take further training and apply for positions as Student Paramedics. If successful, the training offered can enable them to progress to paramedic training on an approved Paramedic Science Degree, leading to registration as a Paramedic, with the HPC
Paramedic – Advanced Life Support / ALS / EMT-P / CCA / NDip
The Role:
Paramedics are the senior ambulance service healthcare professionals at an accident or a medical emergency. Working on their own or with an ECA or Technician to ALS Level
To work as a Paramedic one must be registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC).
Entry requirements:
Traditionally, staff joining the ambulance service could work their way up with experience and additional training to a Paramedic, however, this route is no longer available. As an entry anyone wishing to become a Paramedic will now need to either secure a Student Paramedic position and study further and qualify, or attend an approved full-time course in Paramedic Science Degree at a University.
ECA’s complete a 7 to 9 week training course to an ILS Level
Career Development:
With further experience, ECA’s can take further training and apply for positions as Student Paramedics. If successful, the training offered can enable them to progress to paramedic training on an approved Paramedic Science Degree, leading to registration as a Paramedic, with the HPC
Paramedic – Advanced Life Support / ALS / EMT-P / CCA / NDip
The Role:
Paramedics are the senior ambulance service healthcare professionals at an accident or a medical emergency. Working on their own or with an ECA or Technician to ALS Level
To work as a Paramedic one must be registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC).
Entry requirements:
Traditionally, staff joining the ambulance service could work their way up with experience and additional training to a Paramedic, however, this route is no longer available. As an entry anyone wishing to become a Paramedic will now need to either secure a Student Paramedic position and study further and qualify, or attend an approved full-time course in Paramedic Science Degree at a University.
Training:
A number of courses have been approved by the HPC, leading to a Diploma, Foundation Degree and/or BSc Honours Degree in Paramedic Science.
Courses tend to be modular with flexible entry and exit points, depending upon your academic qualifications and any relevant experience. They last from two to five years, depending on whether you study full or part time.
A number of courses have been approved by the HPC, leading to a Diploma, Foundation Degree and/or BSc Honours Degree in Paramedic Science.
Courses tend to be modular with flexible entry and exit points, depending upon your academic qualifications and any relevant experience. They last from two to five years, depending on whether you study full or part time.
Career Development:
With further development a new role as an Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP).
With further development a new role as an Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP).
Emergency Care Practitioners (ECP) – ALS / BTech / CCP-C
Opportunities for qualified and experienced paramedics and specialist nurses
Background:
At least one million people that are currently taken to an emergency department every year could be treated at the scene.The role of ECPs utilises the skills of Paramedics and other professionals (RN with additional skills) to support the first contact needs of patients in unscheduled care.
The Role:
Minor Ailments, Minor Injuries, Basic Procedures, Diagnostic Tests, Routine Assessments, Care of patients with long term conditions all in the home or clinics etc.
This helps people with such conditions to better manage their own health and avoid unnecessary visits to hospital having the ability to refer patients to social care services, and directly admit patients to specialist units prescribe a wider range of medications
More patients with urgent, but not life-threatening, conditions will be treated at home rather than being taken to hospital. This could benefit, for example, older people who have had a fall and suffered cuts, bruises or other minor injuries and would prefer not to leave their home for treatment.
ECPs are typically based in GP Surgeries, Minor injuries units and hospital emergency departments. They may see patients in their own home.
Training:
ECP’s will be experienced and qualified practitioners who have received additional training. This is usually provided in conjunction with a university/higher education institution and includes greater assessment and examination skills and more training for the treatment of minor injuries and illnesses. ECPs are also trained in the management of long-term conditions.
2. The HPC
The Health Professions Council (HPC) is a regulatory body set up under the authority of Parliament, by maintaining a register for certain healthcare professions.
It is a requirement for healthcare professionals working in these roles to be registered with the HPC.
Obtaining Registration:
Students who successfully complete programmes which are approved by the HPC, are automatically eligible for registration. All applicants qualified outside the UK should apply for registration well in advance of the date on which they wish registration to begin. A complete application can take a few weeks.
Registration Department
Health Professions Council
Park House, 184 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 4BU
Tel: 0845 3004 472
Fax: 020 7840 9801
Website:
www.hpc-uk.orgEmail: registration@hpc-uk.org
3. Salary Bands and Scales
The salary bands and scales are based on the NHS and not on the Private EMS Sector, which is inevitably much higher.
The NHS job evaluation system determines a points score which is used to match jobs to one of the nine pay bands and determine levels of basic salary. Each of the nine pay band has a number of pay points. Staff will normally progress to the next pay point annually until they reach the top of the pay band. In addition to basic pay, there is also extra pay for staff who work in high cost areas such as around London.
Please note that the rates and bands may vary, but this is an example.
Annual Pay Rates as from April 2009
3. Salary Bands and Scales
The salary bands and scales are based on the NHS and not on the Private EMS Sector, which is inevitably much higher.
The NHS job evaluation system determines a points score which is used to match jobs to one of the nine pay bands and determine levels of basic salary. Each of the nine pay band has a number of pay points. Staff will normally progress to the next pay point annually until they reach the top of the pay band. In addition to basic pay, there is also extra pay for staff who work in high cost areas such as around London.
Please note that the rates and bands may vary, but this is an example.
Annual Pay Rates as from April 2009
POST / POSITION DESCRIPTION with ANNUAL RATES
EMS Dispatchers and Call Takers (£13,233 to £16,333)
Patient Transport Services (PTS) Driver (£13,233 to £16,333)
Ambulance Care Assistant (ACA) / Patient Transport Service (PTS) Driver (£13,233 to £18,157)
Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) – Intermediate Level / ILS / EMT-I / AEA (£17,732 to £25,829)
Paramedic – Advanced Life Support / ALS / EMT-P / CCA / NDip (£20,710 to £33,436)
Emergency Care Practitioners (ECP) – ALS / BTech / CCP-C (£24,831 to £33,436)
EMS Team Leader and EMS Team Manager (£24,831 to £39,273)
It is known and possible to earn in excess of these scales. Band 9 can earn in excess of £95,000 pa.
4. Contact Information
The British Paramedic Association
28 Wilfred Street, Derby, Derbyshire, DE23 8GF
Tel: 01332 746356
Website: www.britishparamedic.org
The British Paramedic Resource Centre
Website: www.paramedic-resource-centre.com
