Paramedic Practitioner
Paramedics are trained to respond to medical emergencies. In addition to emergency healthcare skills, many paramedics have acquired primary healthcare capabilities. These specialist paramedics able to treat a wider range of health conditions. Paramedics, with additional primary care skills, are “generalists” and work alongside, and in collaboration with, doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. With advanced “generalist” capabilities, these specialist paramedics can, within their professional practice capabilities, assess and treat a broad range of patients. Paramedic Practitioner is the top tier of paramedics with additional primary care capabilities. Other tiers include:
- Extended Care Paramedics
- Community Paramedics
- Primary Care Paramedics
Where do advanced paramedics, with additional primary care skills, practise?
Paramedics, with additional primary care skills, will practice in a wide range of public and private settings, including GP surgeries, community health centres, public and private hospitals, aged care facilities, people’s homes, education facilities, mental health settings, drug and alcohol services, non-government organisations, military, corporate and industrial settings and ambulance services.
When should patients see a paramedic, with additional primary care skills?
As healthcare generalists’, patients will encounter these specialist paramedics for a variety of reasons, including health promotion, disease prevention, acute and chronic health conditions.
Patients may encounter paramedics, with additional primary care skills, as a single episode of care or on an ongoing basis. To enable continuity of care and a coordinated approach to health care, these paramedics aim to provide follow up and ongoing care for patients they encounter.
What services do paramedics, with additional primary care skills provide?
Paramedics, with additional primary care skills, assess, treat, and where necessary, refer patients with a broad range of health conditions. This includes advice and treatment for:
- Health promotion, disease prevention and early identification
- Lifestyle advice and modification
- Assessment, treatment and, where necessary, referral for acute health conditions
- Assessment, treatment and, where necessary, referral for chronic health conditions
- As a member of a multidisciplinary team.
How are paramedics, with additional primary care skills, qualified?
To practise, all paramedics with advanced primary care skills, must meet the following criteria:
- Meet national AHPRA registration standards established by the Paramedicine Board of Australia
- Have front line industry experience
- Completed additional studies, supported by the Australasian College of Paramedic Practitioners
- Qualification levels include:
- Extended Care Paramedics – Short courses
- Community Paramedics – Graduate Certificate
- Primary Care Paramedics – Graduate Diploma
- Paramedic Practitioners – Masters
- Complete at least 30 hours of continuing professional development each year.
Further Information
For more detailed information about paramedics with additional primary care skills, please contact us today via the Contact Us page
