Fake Paramedics?

Question

How come you can be prosecuted for impersonating a police officer but not for posing as an EMT or Paramedic.

I know quite a few but nothing is ever done about them.

Its in the UK and I have made reports to relevant ppl,but ppl take the view its cheaper to employ idiots.

Kaska EMT and Paramedics are a lot better qualified than first responders,These fake ones have no formal or vocational qualifications.

Answer 1

I've been a paramedic for 16 years. Someone who actually lays a hand on a patient providing some kind of treatment and claims that he/she is a medic is subject to felony charges from assault and battery to practicing medicine without a license.

Answer 2

It is illegal to impersonate an EMT or paramedic if you act in the capacity of one. For example if you fake EMT or paramedic certifications to get a job and then work without being certified or licensed they you may be prosecuted. As far as walking around in a paramedic unifrom, I don't know if that is illegal. I would assume it is illegal to impersonate a public safety official. This is because while in uniform or in a marked vehicle a paramedic or EMT is required by law to offer assistance and medical care regardless of whether they are on duty. If the person is not qualified then they are practising medicine with out a license and can be put in jail.

Answer 3

I"m pretty sure you can be prosecuted for impersonating a paramedic if the impersonator tries to act as a paramedic (i.e. working as one, either paid, volunteering, or simply stopping to help at an accident) because that would be practicing medicine without a license. If a person is impersonating a paramedic, they can do a lot of damage or possibly kill their patient! If they are working as a paramedic, their service has verified the license (or they wouldn't have a job, trust me!). If the person has practiced as a paramedic and you know they are not licensed, contact the licensing authority. I live in the US, so I don't know who licenses paramedics in the UK. You also might try contacting the employer, if you haven't already done that, and the hospital which the paramedic works out if, if they work out of a hospital.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!

Answer 4

I am not sure about the legalities - I am sure there MUST be offences there - must remember to research them.

BUT, any treatment given by someone POSING as a paramedic or EMT could be termed as ASSAULT. Especially if any of the treatment is invasive - setting up IV cannula/drips etc. Also, any examinations of the body COULD be termed as a sexual assault possibly.

How do you know these people. If you have information about them posing as paramedics/emts, you MUST report it to the police and also make your local Ambulance/NHS trust aware that this is happening.

Answer 5

there is no definative emt training standard set in the uk.
courses range in lenght from 1 week upwards
so it is difficult to say that anyone is impersonating one

All paramedics have to be registered on the health proffesions
register ( www.cpsm.org.uk)
reporting a bogus one is a bit easier
however dont expect a quick result

Also you dont have to be employed by teh health service to be a sr paramedic or even of been trained by them.

Answer 6

You can be prosecuted for impersonating a paramedic and there are cases documented in the press.

Answer 7

They are considered "first responders". As a first responder - someone knowing first aid are allowed to render aid. The problem comes if they decide to render aid above the training they have had. This will eventually get them sued.

Answer 8

I think you can SAY you are a policeman,or paramedic,but if you try to carry out their duties,then you are committing an offense.

Answer 9

Have you reported them, they can be dangerous when they don't really know what they are doing, if they gave someone the wrong treatment they could cause more damage.

Answer 10

Coz the Paramedics don't hold up the law. therefore don't get a say??