How To Become A Paramedic In South Africa

A paramedic is a specialist healthcare professional who responds to emergency calls for medical help outside of a hospital. Paramedics mainly work as part of the emergency medical services (EMS), most often in ambulances.

The scope of practice of a paramedic varies among countries, but generally includes autonomous decision making around the emergency care of patients.

What are the requirements to study paramedic?

Required Qualification/s

Diploma in Emergency Medical Care (2 years) English 60% Mathematics 50% Physical Sciences 50% Life Sciences 50% Minimum APS score of 26.

Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care (4 years) English 60% Mathematics 50% Physical Sciences 50% Life Sciences 50% Minimum APS score of 26.

Is it hard to become a paramedic?

It takes a lot to get through paramedic training because it is a tough job that requires physical stamina, calmness under pressure, medical knowledge, the ability to make quick decisions, and the compassion to be kind to patients even in tough situations. To work in this field, you have to work hard.

How many hours do paramedics work?

EMTs and Paramedics typically work either 8, 10, or 12 hour day or night shifts. They will usually work an average of 36 to 48 hours per week, plus overtime. There are less common schedules that use 24-hour or even 48-hour long workdays.

Below is How To Become A Paramedic In South Africa

How to become a paramedic in South Africa? The requirements

The Ministry of Health, Department of Kwazulu-Natal reports all the main functions that paramedics should do is to provide Emergency Medical Care to patients in the pre-hospital setting.

Wherever the patient is, it is important to reach him/her out and provide the properly assisted transportation and treatment with the ambulance. This could be at the patient’s house or workplace, in the street, or down an embankment.

However, paramedics should provide more than just simple first aid or care. They must also be caring and give confidence to their patients. During an emergency situation, the patient is almost always agitated and nervous.

Paramedics must be absolutely calm and give psychological confrontation to the patients. The patient’s care continues inside the ambulance and a paramedic must be trained also to be prepared for any case of reaction by the patient.

In order to become a paramedic, we must understand that it must not be seen as a “job” but as a calling. The non-technical skills required are:

Self-confidence

sociability

Physical health

Being caring

How to become a paramedic in South Africa? The levels

There are different procedures and levels for each paramedic, according to their qualification. These are currently different levels of care which paramedics in South African can perform.

Basic Life Support (short course)

A paramedic that provides Basic Medical Care interventions to patients in Emergencies provides BLS. This will include CPR, stopping of bleeding, helping women in labour and other non-invasive procedures.

To become a paramedic with Basic Life Support you need Matric, Code 10 Drivers License and PrDp. To be qualified as a Basic Ambulance Attendant (a one month course) and be registered with the Health Professional Council of South Africa.

Intermediate Life Support (short course)

These practitioners provide Intermediate Medical Intervention including IV therapy (drips) Bronchodilators, Defibrillation (shock) & chest decompression etc. To become a paramedic with an Intermediate Life Support you need 1000 operational hours as BLS, pass the pre-course examination for entry into ILS course, then complete the four-month training course and register as ILS at the HPCSA. Plus all other requirements as for BAA.

Emergency care technician

You require to pass the two-years formal training. Part of the selection criteria for KZN EMS staff to attend the ECT course the staff must be an AEA and pass several other entrance exams, including a test paper and fitness test.

There is then followed with two years for formal training. The scope of practice of an ECT is only slightly less than of the advanced life support paramedics. The vision for is that ECT’s replace the ILS as the mid-level worker in the EMS field.

Advanced Life Support Paramedic

In order to become an ALS paramedic, you need to be skilled in Advanced Airway Management, IV Drug Therapy up schedule 7 drugs, Advanced midwifery, Advanced Resuscitation, Aviation Medicine, Marine Medicine.

South African ALS paramedics are highly requested worldwide due to the nature of training and skills. However, there have been massive changes in the way paramedics are trained.

How to become a paramedic in South Africa? The different proficiencies

You have to know that, there is no longer registration of Basic ambulance assistants and Ambulance emergency Assistants/ ILS, with the HPCSA. These figures have been replaced with courses that are all NQF recognised and that can smoothly progress from one course to the other.

The courses to become a paramedic in South Africa:

ECA – Emergency Care Assistant

One year course.

Diploma in Emergency Medical Care

This will be a two-year course, or only one year if the ECO has been completed. 

Bachelor of health sciences

A four-year course provided at universities. It is level NQF8 and equips the paramedic with all the necessary skills to practice as advanced life support.

There is also some private college that started to provide training for the ECA and Diploma Emergency Medical Care courses and several universities currently offer a Bachelor of health sciences.

HPCSA accredited training institutions entry requirements to become a paramedic in South Africa

Of course, there are entry requirements to access HPCSA accredited training courses. The applicants with a national senior certificate with a higher certificate endorsement must have either 1 or 2 or 3 ratings.

All the applicants with a Senior Certificate (Prior to 2009) must have at least a minimum of an “E” on Higher Grade or a “D” on Standard Grade for all of the following subjects:

English

Mathematics

Biology and/or Physical Science

A Rate Code 3 (40%-49%) in the National Senior Certificate of at least for each of the following:

English

Mathematics

Life Sciences and/or Physical Sciences

Minimum pass of 60% in the National Certificate (Vocational) for all of the following subjects:

English

Mathematics

Life Sciences and/or Physical Sciences

Where To Study Paramedics In South Africa?

There are a few Paramedic schools within South Africa that have paramedic courses. Below is the list of institutions providing paramedic training in South Africa.

Action Training Academy

Ambusave

COJEMS Training Academy

Critical Care Academy

Elihle College of Emergency Care

ER 24

Global Emergency Technologies

IET Fire Rescue and EMS Academy

Lebone College of Emergency Care

Netcare Education

North West Private Ambulance Training College

Rescu-Life Africa

School for Military Health Training

University of Johannesburg

SRQ Ambulance Training College

Bokone Bophirima Ambulance Training College

Mokgojwa College of Emergency Care

Mankwe Ambulance Training CentreREAD ALSO :   List of Waldorf Schools in South Africa

Northern Cape College of Emergency Care

LIMPOPO PROVINCE

Bokamoso Pre-Hospital Academy

How long does it take to become a paramedic in South Africa?

Diploma Emergency Medical Care. This will be a two year course, or only one year if the ECO has been completed. Bachelor of health sciences- this is a four year course provided at universities. It is level NQF8 and equips the paramedic with all the necessary skills to practice as advanced life support.

What subjects are needed to become a paramedic in South Africa?

To become a paramedic with Basic Life Support you need Matric, Code 10 Drivers License and PrDp. To be qualified as a Basic Ambulance Attendant (a one month course) and be registered with the Health Professional Council of South Africa.

English.

Mathematics.

Biology and/or Physical Science.

How do I become a paramedic in SA?

How to become a Paramedic

Achieve and maintain a full driver’s licence.

Complete a qualification such as the Bachelor of Science (Paramedical Science), or Bachelor of Paramedic Science.

Register with the Paramedic Board of Australia via the AHPRA.

Do paramedics get paid well In South Africa?

Do paramedics get paid well? Paramedics, because they have more advanced training, make a little more. The National Average paramedic salary is around R 627250.46 per year or around R 291.74per hour. These are just the average though as many people make more or less.

How long is paramedic training In South Africa?

Paramedic science courses usually take between three or four years full time and include a mixture of theory and practical work including placements with the ambulance services.

Can I study paramedic without matric In South Africa?

To begin EMT training for paramedics you unfortunately do need to have a high school diploma or GED. There are different paths that can be taken such as studying full-time or getting in-service training.

Is it hard to become a paramedic In South Africa?

It takes a lot to get through paramedic training because it is a tough job that requires physical stamina, calmness under pressure, medical knowledge, the ability to make quick decisions, and the compassion to be kind to patients even in tough situations.