Alaric Van Wyhe
Emergency Care Practitioner
93 Barns Road, Sydenham, Durban
Summary
Dynamic Paramedic with extensive experience at KZN-Department of Health, excelling in advanced life support and critical decision-making. Proven track record of enhancing patient outcomes through rapid assessments and effective emergency management. Skilled in intubation and patient transport, fostering collaboration within multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal care delivery.
Overview
3
3
Languages
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Paramedic (ECP)
KZN- Department of Health- Emergency Medical Services
11.2005 - 06.2026
- Administered advanced life support interventions during emergency situations.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive patient care.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to determine critical medical needs.
- Operated emergency medical equipment efficiently in high-pressure environments.
- Educated patients and families on health management and safety protocols.
- Mentored junior paramedics, enhancing team performance and service delivery.
- Implemented quality control measures, improving response times and care standards.
- Delivered advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), basic life support (BLS), and pediatric advanced life support (PALS) under pressure.
- Delivered compassionate care to patients with a variety of medical emergencies, including cardiac arrests, traumas, strokes, and respiratory distress.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing timely and accurate assessments, treatments, and interventions.
- Worked en-route to hospital to prepare patients for arrival or surgery and control wounds.
- Documented patient care accurately using electronic medical records software according to regulatory guidelines for billing purposes and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
- Enhanced team efficiency through clear communication and collaboration during high-pressure emergency situations.
- Transferred patients safely and securely to medical facilities for continued care.
- Assessed patient condition through physical and verbal exams and by collecting information from others at scene.
- Adapted treatment plans quickly and effectively based on changing patient conditions and reactions.
- Identified appropriate medications based on potential interactions with other medicines, accurately calculating correct dosages according to drugs on hand and patient's weight.
- Triaged injuries by communicating with patients, bystanders and family members and identified appropriate medical facility for transport.
- Streamlined patient handoff processes at hospitals by clearly communicating relevant information to receiving staff, ensuring seamless continuity of care.
- Assisted in training new paramedics by serving as a preceptor and sharing clinical expertise during ridealongs.
- Increased survival rates with rapid recognition of life-threatening conditions and swift initiation of appropriate interventions.
- Coordinated with other emergency services personnel such as police officers and firefighters during complex incidents for optimal scene management and resource allocation.
- Administered fluid replacement via IV, IO, and IM to replace fluid volumes and correct electrolyte imbalances.
- Administered continuous 12-lead electrocardiogram monitoring to record heart rhythms in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
- Promoted health equity within the community by offering culturally sensitive care to diverse populations while respecting individual preferences or needs.
- Managed challenging or combative patients using de-escalation techniques and appropriate physical restraints when necessary, prioritizing safety for both the patient and medical team.
- Delegated life-saving tasks to provide comprehensive treatment to triaged patients in emergency situations.
- Educated patients and family members on medical treatments and therapies for informed support.
- Stayed in constant communication with patients to continuously maintain care and comfort during transportation.
- Performed intubations to secure airway in patients under respiratory and cardiac arrest.
- Restocked ambulance with proper equipment such as vents, ET tubes, medication, and IV pump tubing to maintain optimum inventory.
- Communicated with medical professionals in medical terms to relay patient needs and maintain accuracy.
- Maintained patient care, treatment and medication documentation for accurate, up-to-date clinical records.
- Performed thorough vehicle inspections before and after shifts to maintain operational readiness and ensure compliance with state regulations.
- Conducted equipment and vehicle checks to maintain continuous and safe operation.
- Safeguarded ambulance equipment through regular inventory checks, cleaning routines, and reporting any damaged items for replacement or repair immediately.
- Reduced response times by maintaining thorough knowledge of local geography and navigation routes.
- Responded to emergency calls to provide immediate and life-saving medical care.
- Transported critically ill and injured patients to nearest medical center, using advanced life support equipment as needed.
- Attended training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in field and maintain existing knowledge.
- Operated electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators or bag valve mask resuscitators in advanced life support environments.
- Trained new paramedics on proper procedures and protocols to maintain best practices and promote great patient care.
- Provided CPR and used automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to revive patients in cardiac arrest.
- Conducted end-of-shift cleaning, sanitation and resupply of equipment to promote organized, sanitary workstation.
- Operated advanced life support equipment to provide critical interventions during transport.
- Trained new paramedics on procedures, tools, and best practices for effective patient care delivery.
- Developed and implemented training programs enhancing team skills and operational efficiency within EMS services.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Emergency Care
Durban University of Technology
11.2016
Intermediate Life Support - Emergency Care
College of Emergency Medical Care
12.2008
Basic Life Support - Emergency Medical Care
College of Emergency Medical Care
04.2002
Skills
Documentation and reporting
Advanced life support
Critical decision-making skills
Direct patient care
Patient management
Intubation
Intravenous therapy
Patient assessments
Emergency management
Pre-hospital care
Pediatric advanced life support
Medical equipment operation
Patient transport
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Stroke management
Medication administration
Emergency response
Emergency diagnostics
Triaging
Scene safety assessment
Safety protocols
Geriatric emergency care
Allergic reaction management
Mass casualty incident response
Obstetric emergencies
Treatment Planning
Seizure management
Hazardous materials awareness
Medical coding
Life support management
Field patient assessments
Advanced lifesaving procedures
Cardiac defibrillation
Certified in CPR/AED
Prehospital trauma life support
Emergency treatment procedures
Neonatal resuscitation (NRP)
Drug inventory management
Intravenous IV pressure infusers
Prehospital trauma life support (PHTLS)
Accomplishments
On average, I have had the privilege of undertaking atleast ten to twelve patients in a sixteen day cycle (1 month) from their Primary Medical Facility to a Tertiary Medical institution. These patients ranging from Neonates, Paediatrics and Adults. Being an ECP we are the only staff that warrant to transfer Mechanically Ventilated patients and to monitor multiple drug infusions. These drug infusions we monitor, may be via a normal intravenous line, UV- lines,CVP and Arterial cannulation. I have also assisted in many rescue cases, whereby working hand in hand with Ethekwini Fire Department, Metro Search and Rescue and SAPS Search and rescue.
References
1. Mrs C.H Ngcobo
Position: Team Leader
Cell: 0835049708
2. Mr M.K Pillay
Position: Senior Paramedic
Cell: 0824587773
3. Mr S Rabilall
Position: ALS Co-ordinator
Cell: 0838592706
4.Mr T Shozi
Position: EThekwini EMS District Manager
Cell: 0832964002/0713642406
Office: 0314803651
Timeline
Paramedic (ECP)
KZN- Department of Health- Emergency Medical Services
11.2005 - 06.2026
Bachelor of Science - Emergency Care
Durban University of Technology
Intermediate Life Support - Emergency Care
College of Emergency Medical Care
Basic Life Support - Emergency Medical Care
College of Emergency Medical Care