Paramedic / Emergency Care Practitioner
Treat and stabilise patients at accident scenes and transport them to hospital.
What the job involves
- Respond to emergencies and treat patients on scene.
- Stabilise and transport critical patients.
- Work for provincial EMS, private ambulance services or air rescue.
School subjects you need
Mathematics strongly preferred. Confirm the exact requirement with the institution you apply to.
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
- English
- Life Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Mathematics
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Diploma pass for the ECT route; Bachelor's pass for the ECP degree
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 24–32 for the ECP degree
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Life Sciences: 50%+
- Mathematics or Physical Sciences: 45–55%+ for degree routes
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- Emergency Care Technician (ECT)2 years
Mid-level qualification registered with the HPCSA.
- Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care (ECP)4 years
Advanced life support practice, including air and critical-care transfers.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R15 000 – R25 000 per month
- Mid-career
- R28 000 – R45 000 per month
- Senior
- R50 000 – R80 000 per month (ECP and management)
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU · Mthatha, East London, Butterworth, Komani
- University of MpumalangaUMP · Mbombela and Siyabuswa
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
- Tshwane University of TechnologyTUT · Pretoria and surrounding campuses
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Welapha abalimele ezingozini abase esibhedlela. Kudinga ukubhaliswa ne-HPCSA.
Afrikaans: Behandel pasiënte by ongelukstonele. HPCSA-registrasie is nodig.