Talk:Emergency care assistant

Comments
This article appears fine for the introductory paragraphs, but goes on to only highlight the difficulties the role has (in the authors opinion) and probably isn't as encyclopaedic as it should be. The only reference appears to be from a Trade Union, so this looks like it is an unbalanced argument. I don't have time to go through it at the moment, but have tagged for posterity. Jem (talk) 19:37, 28 April 2011 (UTC)

Removed copy-pasted text.
Most of the lead section, as of revision #601807778 appeared to be copy-pasted from (an older version of) the NHS Careers website.

The website is under Crown copyright, and I am unsure whether this allows reproduction with credit, or if that would count as plagiarism. I've removed the offending text for the time being.

Can I suggest that, if you reinstate the text, you put a either side to clarify this use, as well as citing the source.

In either case, the text should be rewritten (and I may do it soon if I get the time).

Removed text: Emergency care assistants (ECAs) respond to emergency calls as part of an accident and emergency crew or at times as a first responder, using skills and procedures that they have been trained and directed to do. They need to help move patients safely and observe patient vital signs and provide and take relevant information from carers or others at the scene.

Based at a local ambulance station or at a large hospital as part of a team, they work shifts, going out in all weathers at all hours, sometimes working in difficult conditions such as in confined spaces or on a motorway.

ECAs also drive a range of ambulance service trust vehicles under normal and emergency (blue light) circumstances and carry out checks to vehicles at the start of and during each shift, to make sure they are clean, have fuel and are appropriately stocked. They need to know how to use all of the medical and life support equipment carried on vehicles that is appropriate to their skill level, and how to assist a qualified paramedic.

A key responsibility of the ECA is to make sure that equipment is carefully stored, transported and cared for so that it is always in good working order and to complete relevant documentation, be familiar with and use communication equipment (including radios and telephones) to inform colleagues about the work they are dealing with.

Links:
 * NHS Careers page on emergency care assistants
 * Duplicate Detector report

Thanks, A T Marsden Talk · {Semi-Retired} 14:35, 29 March 2014 (UTC)