Profession emergency ambulance driver

Ambulance attendants drive ambulance or assist ambulance driver in transporting sick, injured, or convalescent persons. Assist in lifting patients.

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Personality Type

• Realistic / Social

Tasks emergency ambulance driver

• Drive ambulances for emergency transportation of patients to medical facilities.
• Drive ambulances for routine transportation of patients.
• Lift and place patients on stretchers, load stretchers into ambulances and transfer patients to hospital.
• Provide first aid such as bandaging, splinting and administering oxygen.
• Keep the ambulance and equipment clean and in good working order.
• Maintain sufficient medical supplies in the ambulance.
• Restrain or shackle violent patients.
• Report relevant facts to hospital personnel or law enforcement officials.
• Assist hospital staff with the provision of medical treatment if necessary.
• Prepare written reports on the state of patients' injuries and treatment provided.

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Knowledge

• Pathogenic microorganisms

  The main classes of pathogenic microorganisms, the spread of infection and the use of universal precautions.

• Health care occupation-specific ethics

  The moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patient confidentiality.

• Resuscitation

  The emergency procedure applied to individuals with no pulse to restore them to consciousness.

• Human anatomy

  The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.

• Operational tactics for emergency responses

  The characteristics and proceedings of operational tactics for emergency responses especially at major incidents and catastrophes.

• Special equipment in emergency

  The usage of the specific medical and life support equipment on ambulance vehicles, according to skill level.

• First aid

  The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.

• Hygiene in a health care setting

  The procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment used and infection control methods.

• Emergency cases

  The emergency cases with different disease patterns and syndromes, the special emergency cases and their appropriate interventions.

• Health care legislation

  The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.

• Infection control

  The routes of transmission and methods of preventing spread of common and important infecting organisms together with the methods available for sterilisation and disinfection of pathogenic organisms in the prevention of infection.

• Medical dispatch

  The concepts of a medical dispatch system and its use which consists in performing criteria based medical dispatch, answering emergency calls, and operating computer aided dispatch systems.

Skills

• Ensure ambulance roadworthiness

  Check, prior to service, that the ambulance is working properly and that no technical defaults are risking the continuation of the ambulance service.

• Adhere to organisational guidelines

  Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.

• Comply with legislation related to health care

  Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.

• Maintain emergency vehicle equipment

  Maintain emergency vehicles and the associated medical and communication equipment, replenishing first-aid equipment and supplies as needed.

• Write reports on emergency cases

  Record the patient`s condition or injury from the start of the takeover in the ambulance, the treatment provided, and reactions to drugs and treatment.

• Communicate effectively in healthcare

  Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.

• Position patients undergoing interventions

  Position or immobilise patients correctly for safe and effective interventions.

• Work in multidisciplinary teams related to emergency care

  Work with a variety of people from various health care and non-health care services such as ambulance control room staff, paramedics, doctors and nurses, as well as people working in the fire and police department.

• Clean vehicle interiors

  Remove dirt, rubbish or impurities of the interior of vehicles, including consoles and dashboards; vacuum car seats and carpets; clean hinges and door trims.

• Listen actively

  Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.

• Provide first aid

  Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.

• Operate an emergency communication system

  Efficiently operate common communication systems used in emergencies, such as base station mobile transmitters and receivers, portable transmitters and receivers, repeaters, cellular phones, pagers, automated vehicle locators, and satellite phones as required.

• Follow verbal instructions

  Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.

• Empathise with the healthcare user

  Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.

• Tolerate stress

  Maintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.

• Drive ambulance under emergency conditions

  Drive and operate ambulance in response to emergency situations, at a safe and controlled speed, complying with laws, regulations and standards for this type of activity.

• Monitor patients during transfer to hospital

  Monitor and take note of any changes in the vital signs of the patients being transferred to the hospital for further medical diagnosis and treatment.

• Comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice

  Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.

• Assist ambulance paramedics

  Help ambulance paramedics by carrying out basic diagnostic procedures under their direct supervision, handling urgent hospital admissions and any other type of support needed by paramedics in order to manage emergency patients such as providing oxygen, stopping blood loss, treating minor fractures and wounds.

• Transfer patients

  Use the most appropriate techniques to handle and move patients in and out of an ambulance, hospital bed, wheelchair, etc.

• Transfer patients to and from ambulance vehicles

  Transfer patients safely to and from ambulance vehicles by making use of appropriate equipment and manual handling skills that prevent harming the patient during transportation.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB