Paediatric Training for Paramedics

The Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at RMMCH has since 2009 been involved with the training of the University of Johannesburg’s B Tech EMC (Paramedics) students. They come to do their Paediatric block in their 4th and final year.

Their Paediatric block consists of a month of lectures (approximately 30), which are provided by the Paediatric consultants as well as 10 clinical practical sessions.

General Guiding Principles For the Clinical Practical Sessions

A set of guidelines framing this component of the course has been jointly developed by the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (RMMCH) and the Department of EMC UJ.

1. UJ students will be supervised by Paediatric registrar (Paeds registrar) at all time.
2. The Paeds registrar is responsible for all children in his/her care i.e. the unit he/she is in charge of as well as all units when he/she is on call.
3. The Paeds registrar will allow the UJ student’s access to patients when they are under his/her charge.
4. No procedures can be carried out on any child unless instructed and closely supervised by the Paeds registrar.
5. No emergency procedures can be done without the knowledge and authority of the Paeds registrar.
6. In case of resuscitations – the Paeds registrar will direct the resuscitation and be in charge and all students will be required to assist as informed by the Paeds registrar.
7. Each UJ student is required to keep a log of all cases seen and procedures assisted with. This log will be supplied by the UJ course coordinator (Dr Chris Stein)

Each UJ student will be allocated to a Paeds registrar in one of the following areas

• Intake ward – where all new admissions are seen (Ward 17)
• Post- intake round – all patients admitted the night before are seen on this round
• Neonatal ward – Ward 16B and to stay with MO/Intern covering Labour Ward and Theatres
• POPD – To report to Dr Ahila Sothylingam when allocated to this area

Course Coordinators

1. Dr Chris Stein (cstein@icon.co.za)
2. Prof Ashraf Coovadia (ashraf.coovadia@wits.ac.za)

Course Administrator - Mrs Karen Marshall

As of 2015, the City of Johannesburg’s EMS paramedic students have also began receiving lectures and conducting their paediatric practicals at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital.

Course Coordinators

1. Mr Colin Mosca (colinm@joburg.org.za)
2. Prof Ashraf Coovadia

Course Administrator - Mrs Karen Marshall