The KZN province has more 1700 Emergency Care Practitioner’s.
Emergency Care Practitioners are trained in the field of pre-hospital environment. Category of training is in three areas.
Basic Ambulance Assistant
Category 1
Basic Life Support (ECP)
These practitioners functions are to provide Basic Medical Care intervention
to patients in Emergencies. This will include CPR, stopping of bleeding,
helping women in labour etc.
To be a Basic Ambulance Attendant in services you need Matric, Code 10
Drivers License and PrDp.
1-month certificate in BAA and registration with Health Professional Council
of South Africa.
Total of 854 BAAs in KZN- EMRS
Ambulance Emergency Assistant
Category 2
Intermediate Life Support (ECP)
These practitioners provide Intermediate Medical Intervention including IV therapy (drips) Bronchodilators, Defibrillation (shock) chest decompression etc.
To be an AEA, you need 4 months training, 1000 operational hours as BAA plus all other requirements as for BAA.
Must pass the pre-course examination for entry into ILS course
Total of 727 ILSs in KZN- EMRS
Category 2
Intermediate Life Support (ECP)
These practitioners provide Intermediate Medical Intervention including IV therapy (drips) Bronchodilators, Defibrillation (shock) chest decompression etc.
To be an AEA, you need 4 months training, 1000 operational hours as BAA plus all other requirements as for BAA.
Must pass the pre-course examination for entry into ILS course
Total of 727 ILSs in KZN- EMRS
Category 3
Advanced Life Support (ECP)
This is the category, which in terms of HPCSA is referred to as paramedics.
This category of staff are pre-hospital Advanced Skills providers. This including;
Advanced Airway Management
IV Therapy
Drug Therapy up schedule 7 drugs
Advanced midwifery
Advanced Resuscitation
Aviation Medicine
Marine Medicine
South African Paramedics are highly in demand throughout the world due to the nature of training and skills.
Total of 92 ALS in KZN- EMRS
Paramedic Training is provided in two routes ;
College Route mostly for in-service staff
1 Year Critical Care Assistant Certificate
Must pass a pre-course assessment to gain entry into this course
Tertiary training mostly for school leavers : Diploma in Emergency Care
3 years @ university of technology
B-Tech Degree – 5 years @ university of technology
Currently Paramedics KZN Province has:-
CCA
Diploma
B-Tech
Masters