The doctor-supported emergency systems in Austria and Germany are unusual, looked at in global terms, because in other countries the preclinical care of emergency patients is generally carried out by specially trained personnel who are not doctors. However, these “paramedics” also have to pass through a comprehensive training programme which, in contrast to the training of Rettungsassistenten (emergency assistants – Germany) or Rettungssanitätern (emergency medical technicians – Austria) is based on carrying out complete patient care without the help of doctors (e.g the Netherlands or USA). These paramedics rely on “standing orders”, i.e. treatment guidelines from which they must not deviate and, for specific measures, must sometimes consult a doctor by phone.
Since the introduction of emergency vehicles in the rendezvous system (where two units are called to the same emergency), the nearest emergency doctor is summoned to attend the relevant location. As a result, the situation for patients in an emergency situation has improved massively in the last few years.
Our superbly trained specialist personnel meet modern medical requirements, but it is only our additional internal quality specifications that enable us to guarantee that high standard under which the patient is cared for optimally. So our employees have to complete further mandatory in-house training in addition to successfully completing their training at an emergency services college. Our in-house courses are presided over by our Head of Medical, Dr. Robert Török, who also works as an emergency doctor. These courses cover a wide range of subjects from “Medical technology” to “How to behave in an emergency situation” and “Psychology and personal dealings with patients”.
A well-founded training and development programme is a superb investment in our future, the visiting card for a successful not-for-profit company, and the A to Z of Euroambulance.
Level 1 Medical Assistant
This theoretical and practical training block deepens and extends the content of a previous comprehensive first-aid course. In particular, it introduces the emergency service, with specific case studies and emergency steps to be taken with patients. The medical technology required to be used is also explained, such as using a defibrillator according to its instructions, and how to correctly read a heart monitor with various parameters. The course finishes with a written and a practical exam.
Level 2 Medical Orderly
This course builds on the first training block and communicates the required expertise for subsequent employment as an independent medical orderly, as well as the fundamental principles of the ambulance service. The training focuses on anatomy, physiology, pathology and the correct way to deal with patients. Our employees use the material learned on the course in the practical element in a simulated ambulance, and so extend their capabilities under competent guidance.
Level 3 Emergency Medical Orderly
The next training level up is that of emergency medical orderly, where participants are trained to take care of patients in ambulances on their own. The emergency medical orderly supports the emergency doctor in looking after intensive care and emergency patients and, after completing the training, is also in a position to look after an emergency patient independently and stabilise the patient’s vital functions.
Level 4 Qualified Nursing Staff
A state qualified nurse has the highest non-academic training in the medical field. As required, and depending on the assignment, they can be deployed in skilled patient transport.
Level 5 Doctor
Depending on the diagnosis and condition of the patient, doctors can be from all specialist fields. In general, they are EMERGENCY DOCTORS who have completed an appropriate additional course in long-distance intensive care transportation.
Since the end of 2012, we have been consistently training our employees from Level 3 to be qualified paramedics together with further external training to become a European Critical Care Paramedic (ECCP). Particularly with intensive care transfer, special diseases as well as complex volume, catecholamine and breathing therapies require the emergency personnel to be highly specialised. As a result of extending our transportation range (intensive care hospital transfer), the requirements we have of our specially trained employees have risen accordingly.