The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is an independent statutory body whose functions include establishing and maintaining the sixth statutory healthcare register in Ireland. This booklet has been compiled to inform clinical and administrative staff in Emergency Departments and other relevant Health Service facilities regarding the training and education – as well as the roles and responsibilities – of pre-hospital emergency care practitioners:

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - The Emergency Medical Technician can provide basic life support including the use of automated external defibrillators, basic and advanced airway management use of bag-valve-mask, ECG & SpO2 monitoring, glucometry and basic trauma care which includes splinting and spinal immobilisation. The EMT may administer Aspirin, Entonox, EpiPen, Glucagon, Glucose gel, GTN, Naloxone, Oxygen, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Salbutamol.

Paramedic (P) - The Paramedic can provide intermediate life support. This includes the skills listed for the EMT and the insertion of nasopharyngeal airway, 12 - lead ECG, peak flow meter, cessation of resuscitation, tourniquet application, manual defibrillation, and spinal injury decision. The Paramedic may administer the medications permitted for an EMT as well as Epinephrine (1:1000), Midazolam, Clopidogrel, Hydrocortisone, Ipratropium Bromide and Ticagrelor. The Paramedic may maintain intravenous infusions once commenced.

Advanced Paramedic (AP) - The Advanced Paramedic can provide advanced life support. This includes the skills listed for a Paramedic and endotracheal intubation, intravenous cannulation, intraosseous cannulation, needle thoracocentesis, and needle cricothyrotomy. The Advanced Paramedic may administer the medications permitted for a Paramedic and 23 additional medications for acute emergency medical and traumatic conditions from cardiac arrest to hypovolaemia. See Medication and Skills Matrix for full information.