New regulations relating to the qualifications for the registration of certain EMS practitioners has been enacted. Practitioners are urged to acquaint themselves with the new requirements since it affects their ability to practice.
The registers will close as indicated in the regulations:
- Basic Ambulance Assistants (BAAs) – those persons who obtained the BAA qualification prior to the promulgation of the attached regulations (i.e. prior to 27 January 2017) or within 12 months after date of promulgation of the regulations may register (i.e. last date for new BAA registrations was on 26 January 2018)
- Ambulance Emergency Assistants (ANA/AEA) – those persons who obtained the AEA qualification prior to the promulgation of the attached regulations (i.e. prior to 27 January 2017) or within 36 months after date of promulgation of the regulations may register (e. last date for new AEA/ANA registrations will be on 26 January 2020)
- Paramedics (ANT/CCA) – those persons who obtained the Paramedic qualification (short course (9 months) at private colleges) prior to the promulgation of the attached regulations (i.e. prior to 27 January 2017) or within 12 months after date of promulgation of the regulations may register (e. last date for Paramedic registrations was on 26 January 2018)
- Paramedics (ANT) – those persons who obtained the National Diploma: Emergency Medical Care at the Universities of Technology prior to the promulgation of the attached regulations (i.e. prior to 27 January 2017) or within 36 months after date of promulgation of the regulations may register (e. last date for the National Diploma Paramedic registrations will be on 26 January 2020)
- Operational Emergency Care Orderlies (OECOs) – those persons who obtained the OECO qualification at the School for Military Health Training (SMHT) prior to the promulgation of the attached regulations (i.e. prior to 27 January 2017) or within 12 months after date of promulgation of the regulations may register (e. last date for new OECO registrations was on 26 January 2018)
Those persons on the registers at the date of closure: these registers will retain their registration provided that they pay their annual fees, but NO NEW NAMES will be added to the above registers after the closing date of the registers.
The names of colleges/universities whose accreditation has been withdrawn has been published. People who qualified at these colleges/universities prior to the withdrawal of the accreditation, qualify for registration. In the event that these practitioners names do not appear on the HPCSA records, affected parties can apply to the HPCSA to restore their names to the register.
The status quo with regard to the non-registration of the National Diploma pipeline students (Paramedics) of the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) is retained. The promulgation of these regulations do not entitle them to registration. The registration of these pipeline students (students who were in the National Diploma programme when the Board withdrew the accreditation of CUT) are under consideration by the Board. As the matter has not been finalised, these students may not be registered.
Practitioners can contact the HPCSA Client Care Centre for enquiries by callling (+27) 12 338 9300 or (+27) 12 338 9301 or send an email to info@hpcsa.co.za – remember to include the nature of your enquiry in the suject line.
Last Updated on 12 February 2018 by HPCSA Corporate Affairs