Understanding the different types of paramedics

In emergency medical services, paramedics play a critical role in providing advanced medical care and treatment to patients in a variety of emergency situations. However, there are various types of paramedics, each with different levels of training and specialties. In this blog, we will explore the different types of paramedics and other medical roles in emergency services.

What are the different types of Paramedics in Australia?

In Australia, there are four types of paramedics:

  1. Paramedic: This is the most common type of paramedic and provides emergency care and transport to patients.
  2. Intensive Care Paramedic: These paramedics have additional training in advanced life support and can provide more complex medical treatment in the field.
  3. General Care Paramedic: These paramedics have specialized training in extended care and rehabilitation to provide ongoing medical support to patients.
  4. Retrieval Paramedic: These paramedics specialize in the transportation of critically ill or injured patients from one medical facility to another, such as from a remote location to a hospital with more advanced medical capabilities.
2009 Paramedics Australasia role description Jurisdictional ambulance service title Jurisdictional ambulance service
Paramedic Advanced Care Paramedic 2 QAS
Advanced Life Support Paramedic AV
Ambulance Paramedic  AT, ACTAS, SJWA
Paramedic SAAS, SJNT, SJNZ, WFA
Qualified Paramedic P1 NSWA
Intensive Care Paramedic Critical Care Paramedic QAS, SJWA
Intensive Care Paramedic AT, ACTAS, NSWA, SAAS, SJNT, SJNZ, WFA
Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedic AV
General Care Paramedic Community Paramedic SJNT
Extended Care Paramedic AT, ACTAS, NSWA, SAAS, SJNZ, WFA
Local Area Assessment and Referral Unit Paramedic QAS
No equivalent role AV, SJWA
Retrieval Paramedic Critical Care Paramedic NSWA, SJWA
Critical Care Paramedic Flight Paramedic QAS
Critical Care Response Unit Paramedic SJNT
Flight Intensive Care Paramedic ACTAS
Intensive Care Flight Paramedic AT, WFA
Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance Flight Paramedic AV
Retrieval Paramedic SAAS
Special Operations Team Rescue Paramedic SAAS

Source: Wilkinson-Stokes, Matt. (2021). A taxonomy of Australian and New Zealand paramedic clinical roles. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine. 18, pp. 1-20.

Other Medic Roles:

Patient transport officers are responsible for transporting stable patients between medical facilities or from their home to a medical facility. They provide basic patient care during transport, such as monitoring vital signs and providing basic first aid.

Ambulance transport attendants are responsible for transporting stable patients between medical facilities or from their home to a medical facility. They provide basic patient care during transport, such as monitoring vital signs and providing basic first aid.

Emergency medical technicians are trained to provide basic life support and emergency care to patients. EMTs may work alone, or under the direction of a paramedic and assist in providing patient care. They are commonly employed by private ambulance services and event medical services, though some state ambulance services also maintain a workforce of EMTs.

Private/Event medics are responsible for providing medical care at public events, such as concerts, festivals, and sports events. They provide basic first aid and emergency care to patients in these settings. They are commonly employed by private ambulance services and event medical services.

A Medical Emergency Services Officer (MESO) or ESO is typically responsible for medical care (and sometimes also fire rescue, security, training and WHS) on large industrial sites, particularly mine sites. They generally sit within the mine safety team.

Choose from these qualifications:

  • HLT31120 – Certificate III in Non-emergency Patient Transport – Work in patient transport as a driver and assistant. The perfect role for people who love driving and helping people. If you enjoy talking and being helpful, then this is a very good place to start. 6-12 month online study, with a clinical workshop where you learn additional skills.
  • HLT41120 – Certificate IV in Health Care – Become equipped with the clinical skills to be classed as a Basic Life Support Medic (BLSM) and work in your community as an event medic.  Consider the next time you go to a sports event or outdoor convert, or even the next time you take the train; there may be a Certificate IV in Health Care medic close by, ready to act swiftly in an emergency.
  • HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care (formerly HLT51015 – Diploma of Paramedical Science) – Following on from the Certificate IV, Basic Life Support (BLS) skill set, diploma-qualified practitioners are highly trained in advanced airway management, cardiac arrest and ECG monitoring; – plus they can access a more comprehensive scope to administer drugs and medications. With this skill set in mind, graduates of the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care can be classified as an Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Technician  (ALS EMT).

 

What is your career journey?

To discover how you can become a fully qualified Ambulance Paramedic or Basic/Advanced Life Support Medic, complete a personalised paramedical career development plan.