Development
ECAs at present have no clear career pathway of progression to technician or paramedic status and this has been widely discussed within many ambulance trusts. In the fourth quarter of 2008, West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust announced progression for 80 ECAs to become emergency medical technicians in 2009. A large number of ECAs have since undertaken IHCD ambulance technician courses and many are now qualified technicians. West Midlands Ambulance Service has continued to offer technician courses throughout 2010, 2011 and 2012 to existing staff eligible to take them.
Some other ambulance Trusts that use the ECA role have begun to work on providing development for ECAs to become paramedics, using part-time higher education routes, such as the Open University. This is in line with the NHS "Skills Escalator" approach to staff development. It provides a development route for ECAs that are able to study (to a minimum of Higher Education Diploma), whilst remaining in employment, rather than becoming a full-time university student.
Read more about this topic: Emergency Care Assistant
Famous quotes containing the word development:
“For decades child development experts have erroneously directed parents to sing with one voice, a unison chorus of values, politics, disciplinary and loving styles. But duets have greater harmonic possibilities and are more interesting to listen to, so long as cacophony or dissonance remains at acceptable levels.”
—Kyle D. Pruett (20th century)
“There are two things which cannot be attacked in front: ignorance and narrow-mindedness. They can only be shaken by the simple development of the contrary qualities. They will not bear discussion.”
—John Emerich Edward Dalberg, 1st Baron Acton (1834–1902)
“... work is only part of a man’s life; play, family, church, individual and group contacts, educational opportunities, the intelligent exercise of citizenship, all play a part in a well-rounded life. Workers are men and women with potentialities for mental and spiritual development as well as for physical health. We are paying the price today of having too long sidestepped all that this means to the mental, moral, and spiritual health of our nation.”
—Mary Barnett Gilson (1877–?)