A flight paramedic is a
paramedic
A paramedic is a registered healthcare professional who works autonomously across a range of health and care settings and may specialise in clinical practice, as well as in education, leadership, and research.
Not all ambulance personnel are p ...
who provides care to sick and injured patients in an aeromedical environment. Typically a flight paramedic works with a
registered nurse,
physician
A physician (American English), medical practitioner (Commonwealth English), medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through th ...
,
respiratory therapist
A respiratory therapist is a specialized healthcare practitioner trained in critical care and cardio-pulmonary medicine in order to work therapeutically with people who have acute critical conditions, cardiac and pulmonary disease. Respirator ...
, or another paramedic.
Flight paramedics must have an advanced medical knowledge along with years of clinical experience. Flight paramedics in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
usually hold certifications such as the
FP-C or the CCP-C, while in countries like the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, they are typically required to hold a postgraduate certificate in critical care as a minimum, with many holding a
master's degree
A master's degree (from Latin ) is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice. in advanced practice or aeromedical critical care.
Education/training
United States
![G-HEMC EAAA EC145T2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/G-HEMC_EAAA_EC145T2.jpg)
Within the US, the minimum requirements for flight paramedics generally include:
* Licensed as a paramedic by a state
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency medical services (EMS), also known as ambulance services or paramedic services, are emergency services that provide urgent pre-hospital treatment and stabilisation for serious illness and injuries and transport to definitive care. ...
(EMS) board
* 3-5 years as the lead paramedic in a volume EMS ground service
*
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support,
Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support
The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians is an American professional association representing Emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
Lobbying
In March 2013, the association unsuccessfully lobbied for the Veteran Emer ...
or
ITLS
Additional requirements may include:
* Neonatal Resuscitation Program
* Certifications such as the
FP-C or CCP-C (usually required within 2 years of commencing employment in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
* Critical care classes such as the CCEMTP by UMBC.
* Postgraduate certificate or master's degree (
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
/
British Commonwealth
The Commonwealth of Nations, simply referred to as the Commonwealth, is a political association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire. The chief institutions of the organisation are the Co ...
)
Roles and responsibilities
Roles and responsibilities vary by organisation and country. Typical responsibilities include:
*Perform as a member of an aeromedical evacuation team
* Plan and prepare for aeromedical evacuation missions
* Provide in-flight critical care to patients
* Care for patients with both medical and traumatic issues
* Possess advanced understanding of
mechanical ventilation
Mechanical ventilation, assisted ventilation or intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV), is the medical term for using a machine called a ventilator to fully or partially provide artificial ventilation. Mechanical ventilation helps move a ...
, hemodynamic support,
vasoactive medications and
intensive care
Intensive care medicine, also called critical care medicine, is a medical specialty that deals with seriously or critically ill patients who have, are at risk of, or are recovering from conditions that may be life-threatening. It includes pro ...
* Possess specialized clinical skills combined with knowledge, theory, education and expertise in hospital and pre-hospital environments
* Perform advanced medical procedures without supervision of a doctor such as
rapid sequence intubation, ventilator management, finger thoracostomy/chest tube insertion, central line placement,
intra-aortic balloon pump management, pericardiocentesis, titration of vasoactive medications, administration of general anesthetics and paralytics for intubation, as well as sedatives and analgesic medications for pain and anxiety.
See also
*
Aircrew (Flight crew)
*
Air medical services
Air medical services is a comprehensive term covering the use of air transportation, aeroplane or helicopter, to move patients to and from healthcare facilities and accident scenes. Personnel provide comprehensive prehospital and emergency and cri ...
*
Certified Flight Paramedic
*
Combat medic
A combat medic, or healthcare specialist, is responsible for providing emergency medical treatment at a point of wounding in a combat or training environment, as well as primary care and health protection and evacuation from a point of injury ...
*
Medic
A medic is a person involved in medicine such as a medical doctor, medical student, paramedic or an emergency medical responder.
Among physicians in the UK, the term "medic" indicates someone who has followed a "medical" career path in postgra ...
*
Museum of Aerospace Medicine
The Edward H. White II Museum of Aerospace Medicine was a museum of the United States Air Force and was located in Hangar 9 at Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.[Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), commonly known as the Flying Doctor, is an air medical service in Australia. It is a non-profit organisation that provides emergency and primary health care services for those living in rural, remote an ...]
*
Enlisted Medics (U.S. Air Force)
*
Flight Paramedic certification or FP-C
References
External links
International Association of Flight Paramedics
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flight Paramedic
Emergency medical responders
Air ambulance services