The Higher Certificate (HCert) programme is an entry-level emergency medical care qualification. An HCert fits the role of a clinical assistant in the prehospital emergency medical care environment, which was previously allocated the Basic Ambulance Assistant (BAA) and still falls under the "Supervised Practice" category. The BAA courses were discontinued as a short course qualification in part to the professionalisation of prehospital qualifications and alignment to higher education programmes. The acronym for an HCert is ECA, which stands for “Emergency Care Assistant”.
With this higher educational qualification, ECA’s are introduced to the environment and a career in prehospital medicine. The programme also aims to provide foundational knowledge, clinical skills, and an optimistic attitude for further career progression in prehospital medicine, which promotes lifelong learning.
Once qualified, an ECA will primarily work on an ambulance in rural and urban areas within the South African context. The ECA can interact in various environments with this skill set, from sophisticated emergency care facilities to remote primary healthcare settings abroad. An ECA is also presented with the opportunity to function in a multi-disciplinary system to achieve a similar goal: improving the continuum of patient care.
Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and function of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems in South Africa and how they relate to the broader healthcare structures within the country.
Explain and demonstrate the medical ethics, professional behavior and the legal framework within which the emergency care provider operates.
Maintain personal health, wellness and safety.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of clinical gross human anatomy.
Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental human physiology and bioprocesses.
Demonstrate understanding of fundamental integrated sciences underpinning emergency care.
Provide clinical emergency care under supervision within an Emergency Medical Service environment.
Perform clinical assessment and clinical decision-making in line with the scope of practice of an emergency care assistant, and provide treatment for minor injuries and minor ailments in specific controlled circumstances.
Carry out operational routines within an Emergency Medical Services environment.
In the USA, an Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMTB).
In the UK, the National Health Service produces the Ambulance Care Assistant / Emergency Care Assistant.
In Canada, an Emergency Medical Response (EMR) or Primary Care Paramedic.
In Ireland, an Emergency Medical Technician, although their curriculum is not as advanced as South Africa's HCert programme.
Entry Requirements:
Each Higher Education Institution has its own requirements for access to the programmes it offers. At this stage, we cannot share specific details, however the following broadly covers what you will need to apply for access:
Grade 12 (2009 onwards) certificate with
English
Mathematics (Mathematical Literacy is not accepted)
Physical Sciences
Life Sciences
OR
Senior Certificate (prior to 2009) with minimum E symbol on Higher Grade or a D symbol on Standard Grade pass for all of the following subjects
English
Mathematics
Biology
Physical Sciences