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 (PTO)

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 Attendant (ATA)

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 Technician (EMT)

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

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.

• Medical Emergency Service Officers (MESO/ESO)

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).