Specialties and career in pre-hospital care
From ambulance technician to paramedic and beyond
The pre-hospital trade has a clear structure where you can build on your education step by step. The more experience and education you get the more competencies and responsibility you can take on.
§Paramedic
As an ambulance attendant you are trained to assess and treat patients on site within a broad range of acute situations. You work according to treatment guidelines and are the backbone of the daily ambulance service.
§Paramedics – the direct superstructure in the pre-hospital.
With further training and experience, you can become a paramedic. Here your competencies are expanded, so you are allowed to perform more advanced treatment and administer more types of medication. It requires both professional confidence and experience.
§Special functions
With experience you can move towards specialist roles: working in ambulances alongside a doctor becoming an instructor joining special readiness teams or working at a call centre. Some move towards leadership and planning of the service.
| Step | What you can do | Head over there |
|---|---|---|
| Paramedic | Assessment and treatment on site | The basic training |
| Paramedics – the direct superstructure in the pre-hospital. | More advanced treatment | Further education and experience |
| Special function | Emergency ambulance, instructor, emergency centre | Experience and courses. |
| Leadership | Planning and administration | Experience and management training. |
§Continuing to learn
The pre-hospital trade never stands still. Treatment guidelines are updated and you must continuously maintain your skills through training and courses. The best in the trade are those who never stop practicing — because routine is what carries you when it matters.