I.e. in the first year the first module you study is Legal and Ethics for about 5weeks with a test every week and an examination at the end of the module. So you’ve written 4 tests and 1 exam. Now the course comprises of if I’m not mistaken 24 modules. This is the approach to all modules, so if a module is 2 months like Homeostasis then you’ll write 7 tests and 1 exam. That’s just the theory. During the module we obviously learn all the necessary practical skills. i.e. you get taught the theory of External Jugular Cannulation then the practical. At the end of the module you perform 8 Osce’s and you need 6 out of 8 to pass. If you pass the exams but fail the osce’s even after remedials then you fail the module. Now after every 2 modules you do a simulation i.e. you do Homeostasis then C.P.R at the end of C.P.R you do the theory exam, osces and the Simulation. If you fail any of the 3 then you fail the module. That is the General approach to examinations through out the two years.
The first 4 – 5 months of the course is Fundamentals including Legal and Ethics, Transport, HIV ,Ems Systems, Computers training where we taught word, power point, Excel and office things management of bases. Writing letters, another module covered dealing with employee disputes etc pretty much all the non medical modules. The course also includes an elective module meaning you have the option to choose what module to specialise in. But in practical there’s really no choice. The elective normally is RESCUE. The options are supposed to include specialising in Aero medical transportation that’s what I remember.
Rescue Module Covers three sub sections Vehicle Rescue (LMVR), Fire search and rescue and High Angle. The Same testing principles theory osce’s and a Rescue Simulation at the end of every section. We also have a Camp in 2nd year which is called Monster Rescue Challenge similar approach to UJ’s Petty coat lane. A Weekend of hell!
Why did they Introduce ECT.
ECT was introduced by the Department of health. ECT to introduce a formal and tertiary recognized qualification to The Emergency medical field, as previous qualifications did not achieve that. Meaning that they did not fall in with the National Qualifications Framework, namely, BAC, AEA, CCA and NDIP. The only Qualifications that use to fall into the NQF was the Bachelor of Tech. now the 2 courses that are aligned and fall into the NQF is the Emergency care Tech, and Bachelor of tech. if a qualification falls within the NQF it is recognized formally internationally. The NQF also gives some kind of salary scale due to the level of study a qualification has.ECT has an NQF 5.in addition ECT is registered with SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority)
That’s the one reason the second was to ensure that the new practitioners exiting the system have received sufficient training. (Please understand I’m not here to attack the professional stature of the pre existing qualifications but to give understanding). Previous qualifications according the government did not meet the expectations of an ever changing industry. for example how can a 5 week course possibly prepare an individual to deal with Critically injured patients, (experience is good though) but having sound theoretical and practical knowledge is preferable. At the times when these qualifications were designed they were appropriate, but as time went along changes had to be made to remain current to the changes in society and usage of medical techniques procedures etc in the industry. To Ensure that this change wouldn’t be biased or discriminatory to pre existing qualifications but be Factual the Department of health put together a team in 2001 or 2002 somewhere there. Headed by a certain Doctor …(don’t know the name). He and some people conducted research on each and every skill, and knowledge everything you learn within the courses. And putting patients in mind, not practitioners. So they looked at all the qualifications baa aea cca and then after years of research the found that certain things need to be kept and others removed with regards to theory learning and the skills. Meaning every aspect of the course has been carefully researched they didn’t wake up one day and decide we gonna introduce ECT.
At all times members of the emergency care profession should remain aware of the important fact that ones professional status and standing within a profession should not be purely defined by a scope of practice but rather by ones level of education and training. The patient’s right to appropriate evidence based pre-hospital medical intervention thus becomes central to any decisions made relating to scope of practice and/or protocol.
The ECT course has more in depth training in all spheres Phisiology, pharmacology and even more importantly Psychology.i’d like to also dispute the notion that “ECT are Paper Paramedics” which is untrue.but I’d rather be a “Paper Paramedic” than a practical practitioner without adequate reasoning and knowledge on the skills about to be performed.
The industry has a mindset that everything is either BLS ILS or ALS. Now the ECT changes all that because even though its skills and knowledge base would clearly suggest its an Advanced Life Support , An ECT is a research and Evidence based Advanced Life support Practitioner. I think the biggest contributing factor is the HPCSA agrees with this. But unfortunately the industry wants to grade everything, but the reality is that An ECT isn’t BLS ILS or ALS. An ECT is an ECT and doesn’t fall within traditional margins, Hence Why a New Independent Register has been opened. ECT is a unique Practitioner. Ect’s pay the exact same fees as other ALS’s. since we ALS’s why do we have to call for assistance to use certain Medication or prior to performing certain procedures? This is because ECT is a new course, and it has to be monitored to make sure its achieving the the objectives set out, through Clinical governance. when Ndip and CCa were introduced for the first time they had to be monitored to ensure that the programme is working. So having to consult is nothing new. ECT’s consult with ECP’s (Btech) as this is the direction of the future. And not other ALS’s but due to necessity we consult with ALS’s. if your unable to consult an ECP then you proceed with the skill or medication. And just like every programme there will always be good and bad, bad doctors good doctors, bad politicians good politicians, and in this case good ECT’s and Bad ECT’s. but there are some brilliant ECTs out there.
Medication:
1. Acetyl salicylic acid
2. Adrenaline
3. Amiodarone hydrochloride
4. Atropine sulphate
5. beta 2 adrenergic stimulants
6. Corticosteroids
7. Dextrose 50%
8. Diazepam
9. Flumazenil
10. Glucagon
11. Glyceryl trinitrate
12. Ipratropium Bromide
13. Magnesium sulphate
14. Medical oxygen
15. Morphine sulphate
16. Naloxone hydrochloride
17. Nitrous oxide
18. Oral glucose powder / gel
19. Promethazine
20. Thiamine
The ECT programme is offered at several institutions and you can apply for the bursary to study which includes everything you need. The ECT bursary is awarded to candidates that fall in the BEE quota. Basically if you’re black chances you going to get entry into the programme. Infact if you’re a Black female an even better chance. Because in all honesty Black ALS’s are few and far between so I suppose the government is looking to change this, majority of Paramedics are stereotypically white males. The other option will be for you to pay and go study at CPUT.
Colleges currently offering ECT
Orkney in North West, -Lebone in Pta,- a College in KZN
Universities currently offering the course
CPUT
Other institutions
SANDF
To follow the Forum Discussions on this topic, please check out the ECT thread. Also check out the downloads section, if you want to see the ECT Protocols.
