This notice is issued by the Paramedic Council pursuant to sections 11 and 12 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 and comes into effect on the date of publication.

Paramedic Scope of Practice

Under section 11 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 the Paramedic Council has specified the scope of practice for Paramedics as follows:

1. Paramedics are registered health practitioners who use their clinical knowledge, skills, and judgement to provide healthcare services primarily in the provision of urgent and/or emergency assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients, including provision of clinical advice, referral and, where required, transport. All patient care is, ethically, safely and effectively carried out in accordance with New Zealand law, the principles of Te Tiriti ō Waitangi, Council standards of clinical competence and cultural competence (including competencies that will enable effective and respectful interactions with Māori), clinical guidelines, documented protocols, and standing orders issued by the employer/organisation’s clinical governance framework. Paramedics liaise and cooperate with other healthcare providers and clinical personnel to foster a team approach, provide leadership, provide supervision, support and oversight of non-regulated members of the clinical team, and ensure services are provided in a timely and integrated fashion in partnership with individuals, families, whānau and communities.
2. Paramedics may also perform a variety of functions including policy development, leadership, management, research, training and education, and public liaison and communication roles.
3. Paramedics are individually accountable for ensuring all health services they provide are consistent with their education and skill level, meet legislative requirements and are supported by appropriate standards.

Prescribed Qualifications for Registration in the Paramedic Scope of Practice

Under section 12 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (“Act”) the Paramedic Council has prescribed the following qualifications for registration in the Paramedic scope of practice:

New Zealand qualified:

1. In accordance with section 12(2)(a) of the Act, a Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Paramedicine, conferred by an educational institution accredited by Council.
   OR
2. A pass within the two years prior to application in an approved Registration Assessment Programme (RAP) at the paramedic level or above set by the Council or another organisation approved by Council in accordance with section 12(2)(c) of the Act.
   OR
3. Both of the following:
1. Satisfactory evidence of experience in the delivery or management of paramedic services, or in paramedic education and research.
   AND
2. At the direction of Council, a satisfactory pass in an assessment set by the Council or by another organisation approved by the Council under section 12(2)(c) of the Act.
4. All applicants for registration as a Paramedic will be required to successfully complete a cultural safety education course set by an organisation approved by the Council under section 12(2)(b).

The purpose of qualifications 2 and 3 is to provide a pathway to registration for existing paramedics who can demonstrate training and experience relevant to current, competent paramedic practice in New Zealand. For that reason, these qualifications expire as prescribed qualifications after 18 months after the date of this Gazette notice.

Dated at Wellington this 23rd day of November 2020.

CATHERINE BYRNE, Registrar, Paramedic Council.