ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INTERMEDIATE

1
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INTERMEDIATE

• Introduction to Emergency Medical Services

2
Introduction to Emergency Medical Services

• Need for realistic expectations of Intermediate
  practice
• Intermediate job description and responsibilities
• The challenges of becoming a Intermediate

3
Changes in the Field

• Description of the pre-1966 environment
• Impact of The White Paper, published in 1966
• U.S. DOT involvement in establishing EMS training
  courses
• The Belfast experience of Dr. J. Frank Pantridge

4
Changes in the Field (cont)

• Dr. Eugene Nagels first intermediate class in
  Miami
• The cultural impact of the television show
  Emergency

5
Professional Ethics

• Standards of conduct designed for the patients
  benefit
• Oath of Geneva, EMT Oath, EMT Code of Ethics
• Legal obligations vs. ethical responsibilities

6
Professional Ethics (cont)

• The art and science of prehospital EMS
• Delivering a highly technical level of patient
  care
• Having compassion and respect for human dignity

7
Professionalism

• Promotes high-quality patient care
• Takes pride in the profession
• Sets high goals
• Earns respect and confidence of crew members
• Professional and nonprofessional behaviors
• Maintaining a professional attitude through effort

8
The Role of the Intermediate

• Basic duties of the Intermediate
• Provide competent emergency medical care
• Provide emotional support for patient and family
• Provide for the well-being of the patient
• Preparatory duties
• Medical knowledge
• Skill mastery

9
The Role of the Intermediate (cont)

• Preparatory duties (cont)
• Knowledge of local treatment protocols
• Knowledge of system particulars
• Physical fitness
• Psychological wellness

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The Role of the Intermediate (cont)

• Leadership characteristics
• Self-confidence
• Established credibility through field work
• Inner strength, always in control
• Ability to communicate
• Decisive, accepts responsibility

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The Role of the Intermediate (cont)

• Intermediate duties during an emergency
• Scene size-up and safety
• Needs determination and communication
• Patient assessment and assignment of priorities
  of care
• Development of a treatment plan and initiation of
  care
• Assessment of the effects of treatment

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The Role of the Intermediate (cont)

• Intermediate duties during an emergency (cont)
• Establishment of contact with medical control
• Patient transportation
• Maintenance of rapport with the patient

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The Role of the Intermediate (cont)

• Intermediate duties after an emergency response
• Restocking and cleaning vehicle
• Completion of full and accurate documentation of
  the call
• Call review and critique with team members
• Critical-incident stress recognition

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Post-Graduate Responsibilities

• Types of professional recognition
• Certification
• Licensure
• Reciprocity

15
Post-Graduate Responsibilities (cont)

• Maintenance of knowledge and skills
• Refresher classes
• Attending seminars
• Practicing skills
• Reading journals

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Post-Graduate Responsibilities (cont)

• Teaching public education classes
• CPR
• EMS system education
• Continuing education
• Combating erosion of knowledge and skills
• Obtaining new information and skills
• Types of educational formats available
• Importance of keeping current

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Post-Graduate Responsibilities (cont)

• Professional organizations
• Forums for sharing ideas and information
• Provide intermediate with a voice in EMS-related
  issues
• Serve as clearinghouses for continuing education

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Post-Graduate Responsibilities (cont)

• Professional organizations (cont)
• National EMS Organizations
• National Association of Emergency Medical
  Technicians
• National Flight intermediates Association
• National Association for Search and Rescue
• National Council of State EMS Training
  Coordinators
• National Association of State EMS Directors
• National Association of EMS Physicians

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Post-Graduate Responsibilities (cont)

• National Registry
• Assists in developing/evaluating EMT training
  programs
• Establishes qualifications for registration and
  reregistration
• Establishes national minimum level of competency
• Serves as a tool for interstate reciprocity

20
Post-Graduate Responsibilities (cont)

• Professional journals
• The importance of subscribing to an EMS journal
• Keeping current through reading
• Opportunities to publish articles
• Continuing education credits