Paramedic that is qualified to work in an aeromedical environment on either airplane or helicopter
A flight paramedic is a
paramedic who provides care to sick and injured patients in an aeromedical environment. Typically a flight paramedic works with a
registered nurse,
physician,
respiratory therapist, or another paramedic.[1] Flight paramedics must have an advanced medical knowledge along with years of clinical experience. Flight paramedics in the
United States usually hold certifications such as the
FP-C or the CCP-C, while in countries like the
United Kingdom, they are typically required to hold a postgraduate certificate in critical care as a minimum, with many holding a
master's degree in advanced practice or aeromedical critical care.[2][3]
Education/training
United States
Within the US, the minimum requirements for flight paramedics generally include:
Possess specialized clinical skills combined with knowledge, theory, education and expertise in hospital and pre-hospital environments
Perform advanced medical procedures without supervision of a doctor such as
rapid sequence intubation, ventilator management, finger thoracostomy/chest tube insertion, central line placement,
intra-aortic balloon pump management, pericardiocentesis, titration of vasoactive medications, administration of general anesthetics and paralytics for intubation, as well as sedatives and analgesic medications for pain and anxiety.[7]
^Ron Walls MD; John J. Ratey MD; Robert I. Simon MD (2009). Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Expert Consult Premium Edition - Enhanced Online Features and Print (Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts & Clinical Practice (2v.)). St. Louis: Mosby. pp. 2469–75.
ISBN978-0-323-05472-0.
^Surgeons (AAOS), American Academy of Orthopaedic; Physicians (ACEP), American College of Emergency; UMBC (2017-03-20).
Critical Care Transport. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
ISBN978-1-284-04099-9.