I often get questions about the working conditions, salary, and responsibilities of paramedics. Here, I’ll address some of the most common inquiries in a Q&A format.
Q: How many shifts do paramedics work per month?
A: Paramedics work shifts based on their monthly work hours. For instance, if an employee works 20 days a month with an 8-hour shift, they have a total of 160 hours. Paramedic shifts are calculated differently: 24-hour shifts for a total of 168 hours across 7 shifts a month. Any overtime (typically around 8 hours) is paid separately.
Q: How frequently are paramedic shifts scheduled?
A: There must be a minimum of 48 hours between shifts.
Q: What is the current salary for paramedics? (As of 2016)
A: Salary depends on rank, marital status, and dependents. As an example, a single paramedic starting at rank 10/2 might earn around 1,940 TL as base salary, plus 775 TL fixed allowance, 550 TL additional allowance (not including driving pay), and 12 TL per hour of overtime.
Q: Where do paramedics work?
A: Most paramedics work in A2-type Emergency Health Service Stations alongside EMTs. Some also work in B-type integrated stations within hospitals.
Q: Are paramedics also ambulance drivers?
A: Yes, paramedics are authorized to drive ambulances. They must hold at least a Class B license and be able to drive an ambulance as part of their duties.
Q: Are paramedics responsible for other team members?
A: Yes, paramedics are responsible for their team, the patient in the ambulance, and the medical supplies on hand.
Q: Do paramedics have the same authority as doctors?
A: Paramedics do not have the same authority as doctors. They provide advanced life support and are qualified to conduct physical assessments, but consult with a doctor for any necessary medical interventions.
Q: What do paramedics do in cases with multiple casualties?
A: In multi-casualty incidents, paramedics are responsible for triage, assessing and prioritizing patients.