Ambulance for car drivers – a decisive year: forced to change the profession

Robert, a driver of Vilnius ambulance for three years, is pleased with his decision. He says that although paramedic work is not easy, but interesting and non -monotonous.

« Every patient, every invitation is different. There are no equal ones – each situation can change at any minute and at any second, » said Mr Pėdvskij.

It was encouraged by the understanding that he would not be able to help their team members while driving alone because they did not have the necessary competences. The man does not hide – there were fears too.

« With young children who can't answer you what hurts because of their uncles and aunts, they can't say something. But they can already understand how they feel, what can be done. Gives you that knowledge – how to communicate with them, how to communicate with the patient.

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He calls on other drivers to immediately and retrain.

« The Vilnius branch lacks 45 drivers – 21 in Vilnius city and 24 other cities in Vilnius branch. It is a big blow to the whole system, so our drivers need to be encouraged to really try and retrain, » emphasized R. Pėdvskij.

The Ministry of Health recalls that drivers were encouraged to become paramedics before – some of them were happy to take on science, but there are about one and a half hundred people who do not want to do so. This year is the last year that ambulance drivers can still acquire the qualification of paramedic.

« In many European countries, even the richest states cannot afford luxury to make the driver only a driver, » explained Laimutė Vaidelienė, Vice -Minister of Health.

Currently, there are two people in an emergency cars, which can be two medical personnel or one health care professional and one driver. Often, however, only one paramedic is not enough to provide all necessary help.

« It is important to understand that our work is not just about arrival to the patient or their transportation to a medical institution. Much of our work is made up of work at the scene, so it is very important to have a team that is able to provide the maximum assistance, » explained Karolis Klimavičius, a physician and head of the Competence Center.

« Simple example: if resuscitation and only a driver with paramedic works, one paramedic will physically not be able to perform all the necessary steps. It is necessary to ensure breathing, to make effective chest clicks, to prepare a catheter – it is impossible for one person, » emphasized R. Pauvyskij.

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According to specialists, it becomes easier to work for drivers who have graduated and qualified as a paramedist because they are already familiar with the specifics of the job.

« If the driver is retraining to the paramedic-drivener, he has already encountered all this order, » noted Jolanta Keburiene, chairwoman of the GMP workers' union Solidarity.

« There is no need to fear – we have encountered it before, during the invitations. The difference is that you will already gain skilled knowledge after leaving, » added Mr Nanvskij.

In addition, the qualification of the paramedic is increasing, it increases – it rises by 200 euros and the initial amount is 1.5 thousand. euros.

« Now the procedure for change and payment is expected – we believe that the salary should increase, because the person performs the functions of both the driver and the paramedic, » said J. Keburiene.

Vice -Minister of Health L. Vaidelienė added that most drivers have already expressed their desire to become paramedics by 2026 or at least start their education.

« Only about a hundred people have not yet decided or have already decided to leave the job, » the Vice -Minister said.

Currently, paramedics are organized by nine educational institutions all over Lithuania. Science lasts up to two years.