JOB DESCRIPTION PARAMEDICS
| A | A paramedic stays at the forefront of emergency medical care, providing life-saving treatment to individuals in urgent situations. This personnel responds to emergency calls, perform medical assessments, administer pre-hospital care, and transport patients to medical facilities. This role demands a high level of expertise, quick decision-making, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Paramedic’s work often involves collaboration with other emergency services, including police and fire departments, to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. |
| B | In Poland, individuals showing their willingness to find employment in paramedic science, shall be obliged to attend a bachelor degree course in rescue medicine and obtain a diploma confirming required qualifications. There is a wide range of courses offered by state-owned and private higher educational institutions (colleges and universities) and however the entry requirements seem to differ depending on the particular educational establishments, it is undeniable that every student applying for higher education level studies must pass the matriculation exam, which is a secondary school-leaving examination in Poland. Final grades are recalculated to recruitment points, distinctive for each college or university and constitute the basis for selection of the candidates. |
| C | Students of medical rescue faculty, excepting for many standard lectures on medicine, psychology or anatomy, take up courses in qualified first aid, emergency medicine, rescue actions, medicine of disasters, etc. The timetable should include as well at least 10 weeks of practical trainings taking place in hospitals, emergency units, ambulance and brigade station. This both theoretical and practical knowledge appears crucial to equip a future graduates with needed qualifications and make them ready to work in public and non-public healthcare units, hospital casualty, emergency wards, medical rescue units, industrial work safety units, service guaranteeing medical safety during mass events, units responsible for handling disasters and crises. |
| D | There are six general areas of paramedic’s responsibilities: a) First of them is undoubtedly standby duty. There are emergency calls incoming, dispatched by the control room, requiring prompt response. The next step is always to assess the situation and determine the nature and extent of the illness or injury and then to provide advanced medical care, including resuscitation, stabilization, and monitoring of patients. The final action to be taken is administering medications, intravenous fluids, and other advanced life support procedures as needed. It is absolutely essential to react to all the information given steady but firm and quickly. b) The second field starts with conducting thorough patient assessments, including taking vital signs, obtaining patient history and evaluating symptoms. Then, having the state recognized, it becomes possible to develop and implement a proper treatment plan based on the patient’s condition and standard protocols. There might be necessary some additional actions as well: performing emergency procedures such as intubation, defibrillation, and wound care. Right after a paramedic should ensure continuous monitoring of the patient’s condition during transport and making necessary adjustments to care as needed. Throughout all the intervention it must be remembered though, that effective communication with patients, providing reassurance and support during stressful situations might prove to be a decisive factor. c) Number three is to safely transport patients to hospitals or other medical facilities, ensuring they receive appropriate care during transit. The receiving medical staff will appreciate quick and substantial communicating patient status and care details, ensuring a smooth handover and proper further care. It will also simplify maintaining accurate and detailed patient care records, documenting all assessments, treatments, and changes in condition. d) Area number four is based on working closely with other emergency services personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and other healthcare professionals, to coordinate patient care and scene management. Paramedics are demanded to communicate effectively with the control room, providing updates on patient status and any additional resources required. Their average duties are participating in debriefings and case reviews to improve service delivery and patient outcomes as well. e) If there is a part of responsibilities of a rescue medicine team the most obvious and apparent even to people unconnected to medicine, that is maintaining and operating all medical equipment and tools in the ambulance, ensuring they are clean, functional, and ready for use. Ambulances must undergo regular inspections, ensuring they are well-stocked, clean, and in good working order. As consequence, the paramedic’s duty is to report any equipment malfunctions or supply shortages to the appropriate personnel for immediate resolution. f) Last but not least, every paramedic needs to stay up-to-date with the latest medical advancements, protocols, and procedures through ongoing education and training. It means participating in mandatory training sessions, certifications, and recertifications as required by law and organizational policies. As it takes a lot of strength and stamina to perform this profession, it is recommended to engage in regular physical fitness training to ensure the ability to perform the physical demands of the job. So, are there any physical requirements for a paramedic’s position? Oh yes, there are: – ability to lift and carry patients and equipment – physical stamina to work long shifts, often in challenging and stressful environments – capacity to work in various conditions, including adverse weather and hazardous environments |
| E | Rescue medicine team work is performed both indoors and outdoors, often in unpredictable and potentially dangerous environments. It must be also realized that it is shift work by definition, including nights, weekends and holidays. Exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases is possible, so appropriate protective measures must be taken. |
| F | Pramedics have to display a range of attributes, among other things: – strong knowledge of emergency medical care techniques and protocols – excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills – ability to remain calm and perform effectively under pressure – strong interpersonal and communication skills – physical stamina and dexterity to perform tasks such as lifting patients and operating equipment. |