Ambulance and Emergency care Worker Career Description
The primary task of ambulance and emergency care workers is to give pre-hospital emergency care to sick or injured persons. They must try to resuscitate and stabilise patients and prevent further injuries until patients are entrusted to the emergency personnel at the hospital.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
All ambulances are in contact with a central control centre by radio or computer. When receiving a call, the nearest available ambulance or rapid response vehicle is dispatched to the scene.
At the scene, a quick assessment of the patient/ s is made. The appropriate treatment is given, which includes basic life-support and treatment of wounds and fractures. Depending on the level of training, drugs can be given to the patient.
Specialised equipment and rescue tools like the "Jaws of Life" can also be used to free a person from a wreckage.
After treatment, the patient is transported to hospital by ambulance. On route treatment is provided to the patient. At the hospital the patient is handed over with a report of the injuries of, and treatment received by the patient.
After this procedure, ambulance and emergency care workers retum to a base where linen and equipment are replaced.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Ambulance and emergency care workers must be able to make decisions in a calm, assured way and have extensive knowledge of emergency care. They should be sympathetic, responsible and sincere. Prospective ambulance and emergency care workers should have a valid driver's licence.
Before ambulance and emergency care workers can be appointed, they have to pass a medical examination and undergo psychometric and fitness tests, as required by their employers.
Where can I work?
Employment possibilities exist in the provincial and private ambulance and emergency services and the mining industry.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
No.
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