Education factsheet - Paramedics, Specialist Paramedics
This fact sheet has been produced by the Education Department of the Health
Professions Council. It provides information on:
Paramedics
Specialist Paramedics: paramedic practitioners and critical care
paramedics
The differences between the roles
Regulation and Registration
Summary
References and further reading
Paramedics
A paramedic is an autonomous health professional that responds to a variety of
emergency and urgent conditions, most commonly via the 999 emergency call
system. Paramedics deliver emergency care wherever it is needed. They are
trained to recognise, assess and treat a variety of acute conditions using a range
of medicines and surgical procedures.
Critical care paramedics
Private sector
Many paramedics work in private sector settings. Examples include working for
private ambulance companies, or on private or commercial events such as motor
racing, horse trials etc. They are sometimes contracted to NHS work and also
work as independent practitioners in the private sector,
Specialist Paramedics
Specialist paramedics, such as paramedic practitioners or critical care
paramedics may be found working in a variety of environments, for example on
rapid response cars, air ambulances, as expedition paramedics, either working
alone or as part of a team alongside other health and emergency service
professionals.
Paramedic practitioners have higher skills in managing patients with minor injury,
minor illness and primary care needs. As well as managing patients that are
seriously ill or injured, paramedic practioners often manage 999 cases that do
not need the hospital emergency department. They are able to treat patients onscene, or refer to appropriate specialist services. They can also act on referrals
from other health professionals or work as part of a multi-professional team, for
example at Walk-in Centres, Out of Hours primary care providers, Minor Injuries
Units, and in forensic medicine.
Critical care paramedics have extended skills in managing critically injury or
illness, for example trauma patients and/or those needing specialised transport
by road or air. They work alone or as part of a team, for example on an air
ambulance or specialist road ambulance.
Specialist paramedics study at degree and/or post-graduate level, usually
completing a two year programme of study beyond basic Diploma-level
paramedic qualification.
The difference between an Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) and a
paramedic.
The ECA role has been designed as a healthcare assistant/support function.
ECAs work in a supporting role to paramedics and receive three weeks clinical
training plus three weeks emergency driving training. They are trained to provide
basic life support and assistance in other skills.
The difference between an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or
Ambulance technician and a paramedic.
EMT’s or Ambulance Technicians work in a clinical role in the UK ambulance
services but are unregistered. They are trained to a lower standard than
paramedics, through the IHCD awarding body. Technicians are able to
administer a smaller range of medicines and have a more narrow range of
practical invasive skills than paramedics. Technicians are trained to a higher
level than ECAs and practice autonomously, assessing and treating patients as
necessary.
Specialist paramedics, paramedics, technicians and ECAs are all employed by
both the public (National Health Service) and private sectors.
Paramedics are predominantly trained to higher education Diploma level (or
equivalent), although some may still be trained at a lower academic level
(equivalent to certificate in higher education) mainly within ambulance Trust
internal training processes.
Regulation and Registration
Paramedics and specialist paramedics are HPC registered professionals and
usually administer a range of medications through profession-specific
exemptions in law, or via Patient Group Directions (PGDs). Although paramedics
are not currently able to prescribe medicines, consideration is currently being
given to opening prescribing to specialist paramedics.
For verification of paramedics as registered health professionals, the phrases
and letters a patient should look for are as follows:
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
Registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) – a HPC registered
logo may be displayed

The paramedic may also be noted as MC Para or FC Para, which denotes
a member or Fellow of the College of Paramedics. There is no regulation
of ECAs or Technicians/EMTs at this time.
THere is currently no separate register or annotation to the paramedic register for
specialist paramedic roles. However anyone using the title paramedic must be
registered as such.
A professional body, The College of Paramedics (CoP) provides curriculum
guidance for universities and other education providers, as well as professional
liability insurance and representation of the profession at national level. The CoP
works with the HPC to represent the paramedic profession in the construction
and review of the various professional standards. Registered paramedics can
join as full members, others can join as student, or associates.
Since 2001, the professional title “paramedic” has been protected by law. Anyone
who uses a protected title must register with the Health Professions Council
(HPC). Registration with the HPC replaced the previous system of state
registration. Some paramedics may continue to use the phrase "S.R.Para”.
(State registered paramedic) after their name, but this phrase is now defunct.
Summary
Emergency Care Assistants (ECAs) and Emergency Medical
Technicians/Technicians/EMTs are not HPC-regulated and provide basic
to intermediate level emergency healthcare.
The title “Paramedic” is protected by law and require those who use it to
be HPC-registered
There is currently no statutory register or annotation to the paramedic
register for specialist/advanced/paramedic practitioner roles
Paramedics are health professionals who specialise, diagnose and treat
and refer emergency and urgent care patients.
The UK paramedic professional body is the College of Paramedics (CoP)
Paramedics are commonly employed in the National Health Service but
are also increasingly found working in the private sector in a wide range
of settings and often work alongside other health professionals
Paramedics/Specialist Paramedics/Advanced Paramedics/Paramedic
Practitioners usually dispense and administer medicines using Patient
Group Directions (PGDs) or POM exemptions.
References and further reading
The College of Paramedics
The Exchange
Express Park
Bristol Road
Bridgwater
3
TA6 4RR
Tel: 01278 420014
www.collegeofparamedics.co.uk
For membership enquiries: membership@collegeofparamedics.co.uk
For general enquiries: help@collegeofparamedics.co.uk
For education and career enquiries: career@collegeofparamedics.co.uk
For press enquiries: press@collegeofparamedics.co.uk
Information correct at July 2010. © Health Professions Council 2010.
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