The Paramedic At Work

Ambulance services and paramedics perform critical roles in contemporary healthcare economies, yet this occupation is widely misunderstood. Through in-depth interviews and ethnographic observation, Leo McCann offers the first detailed study of the nature, development, culture, and future of the paramedic profession in England.

Describes the work that paramedics do in a wide variety of situations, and discusses the origins of the profession, their preparation and training, and why people become paramedics.

Ambulance services and paramedics perform critical roles in contemporary healthcare economies, yet this occupation is widely misunderstood. Through in-depth interviews and ethnographic observation, Leo McCann offers the first detailed study of the nature, development, culture, and future of the paramedic profession in England.

"Takes you behind the wheel, into the streets, and onto the front lines of emergency medicine"--Cover.

With a medley of experiences from the earliest days as a student paramedic, qualified officer, humanitarian health assistant, and high altitude medical officer, this book has underpinned the story of an everyday paramedic. Whilst thousands of ambulance officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics criss-cross their way through communities around the world to provide support to people, 'Here Hold My Drink and Watch This' has captured a rare insight into the real people of paramedicine. Written from a down-to-earth perspective, Sunny brings to life the challenging and confronting work paramedics are faced with on a daily basis yet also finds some humour and consolation amongst the confusion and chaos.

"This book is too good for one profession. It needs to be read by those in all safety-critical industries." Martin Bromiley OBE FRCSEd (ad hom), Founder, Clinical Human Factors Group "I would highly recommend this book, not only to paramedics but also to their colleagues in healthcare. It has been written by a premier league team of human factors specialists and frontline experts who share their knowledge and experience of applying human factors science to paramedic practice." Rhona Flin, Professor of Industrial Psychology, Robert Gordon University, UK "This book will be essential reading for paramedics in all practice settings as it covers the key elements which will allow paramedics to better understand the complex sociotechnical realities of the care they provide to patients." Andy Collen, author of Decision Making in Paramedic Practice The system elements of paramedic practice are interconnected and complex. These elements can include the patient, the paramedic and their colleagues, the environment, the equipment, the tasks, and the processes and procedures of the organisation. Considering the socio-technical realities of care that paramedics provide are so complex, how can you best meet these challenges to support safe and effective practice as a clinician? Written as an introduction to the discipline of human factors, the authors highlight key principles and theories and relate these to aspects of paramedic practice. Containing practical prehospital examples, this resource provides a firm understanding of systems thinking and design, enabling you to look for instances where the principles of human factors might be applied in your own practice. Accompanied by 40 full-colour images, chapters cover key topics including: ‘Human error’ Systems thinking Human-centred design Interaction with the patient Well-being of the paramedic Safety culture Non-technical skills of individuals and teams. Whether you are a pre-hospital care professional who is involved in education, learning from events, procurement, or influencing safety culture, you will benefit from the tools and techniques provided throughout.

Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice An indispensable guide for aspiring paramedics and emergency medical professionals Paramedic practice is swiftly evolving, driven by changes in the paramedic curriculum. To meet the growing demands of the community, student paramedics and clinicians working in out-of-hospital care must stay abreast of this rapid evolution. Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice, Third Edition contributes to driving the profession forward and provides a comprehensive, accessible text authored by experienced paramedics and academics. This third edition has undergone comprehensive updates, introducing new chapters that provide students and recently registered practitioners with a vital overview of the theory and practice of contemporary paramedicine. This is an essential resource for the next generation of paramedics and out-of-hospital practitioners. Readers of the third edition of Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice will find: A multidisciplinary approach incorporating varied and dynamic research New chapters on subjects including end of life care, domestic violence, and paramedic wellbeing Learning activities to aid understanding and retention Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice, Third Edition is ideal for undergraduate paramedic and emergency care students, as well as registered paramedics, clinicians, and educators.

This second edition of Ambulance Care Essentials offers a complete guide to the skills, knowledge and understanding required to work as a support worker or similar within the ambulance service. Covering fundamental elements of the role, the book combines theoretical aspects of communication, legal and ethical issues and safeguarding with more practical areas such as manual handling, medical emergencies and a range of clinical skills. It includes in-depth chapters on the primary areas of patient assessment as well as covering different patient populations across the lifecourse. Key features include: •Clearly illustrated, step-by-step instructions for range of practical skills and procedures including how to handle different types of trauma and cardiac arrest •Detailed anatomical diagrams to provide the reader with the necessary context to carry out the practical elements of their job more effectively •Evidence-based throughout and up-to-date with the latest guidance, policy and research •Specific chapters on each area of patient assessment and how to manage this effectively •Chapters dedicated to various patient populations such as obstetrics, paediatrics and older people •In-depth chapter on supporting senior clinicians and how best to assist the paramedic as a support worker This second edition has been brought up to-date with the latest national guidance. The book is appropriate for a Level 3 diploma course or similar that qualifies you to work as a support worker and covers learning objectives from a range of courses offered by ambulance services. It is an essential resource for anyone wanting to prepare themselves for a role within the ambulance service as well as those hoping to become a more effective member of an emergency ambulance crew.