A critical care paramedic provides support to critically ill patients in various settings, ranging from basic life support to advanced life support. They work collaboratively with other first responders and healthcare staff, adhere to regulations and policies, and may also handle sales and marketing tasks.
Typically, a critical care paramedic is a certified emergency paramedic medical technician who provides support to critically ill patients in a variety of settings. Working in ambulances, critical care airlift systems, field hospitals, or in a regular hospital setting, a critical care paramedic often reports to an attending physician or nurse in response to life-threatening medical calls. Depending on where the paramedic works, tasks can range from providing basic life support to assisting in rescuing trapped victims or performing advanced life support functions such as intravenous therapy. Those who work for private emergency response companies may even be called upon to handle sales, marketing and supervisory tasks while performing their regular work-related duties.
The job duties of a critical care paramedic vary slightly depending on where he or she works. Basic tasks may require driving an ambulance, communicating with dispatchers and keeping a record of all activities while on the job. When working in a hospital environment, basic tasks may involve maintaining medical supply levels, performing quality control checks on communication equipment used by patients, or educating patients on how to use such equipment. Regardless of the scenario, paramedics working in critical care will facilitate and promote communication between patients and other medical staff.
Key responsibilities in first responder settings consist of a wide range of roles. These tasks will include assisting victims at the scene of an accident or natural disaster, installing and monitoring triage systems, determining the severity of conditions, administering treatment and initial life-support care, and transporting patients. In hospital settings, duties often involve answering calls in intensive care units, assisting with regular patient care, helping to provide treatment under the direction of a registered nurse or physician, and monitoring medications. Training less experienced employees is often a responsibility regardless of healthcare settings.
In addition to core and basic responsibilities, a critical care paramedic will work collaboratively with other first responders, public health and safety staff. Other expectations will include keeping all required certifications current and participating in continuing education as needed. Knowing, understanding and adhering to all government and health regulations, standards and policies is inherent to the job. These regulatory functions often include adhering to ethical standards, maintaining adequate levels of confidentiality, ensuring hygiene and safety standards, and keeping necessary records up to date. In addition, the job may also require public interaction and education on health care and/or safety-related matters.
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