Ngā paerewa

Standards

Te Kaunihera Manapou Paramedic Council (Te Kaunihera) is required to set standards of clinical competence and cultural competence (including competencies that will enable effective and respectful interactions with Māori) and ethical conduct that paramedics must observe.

These standards are central to Te Kaunihera work and expectations of paramedics, including:

• accreditation of training institutions that deliver prescribed qualifications
• determining whether a paramedic is competent for registration
• reviewing the competence of practising paramedics
• considering complaints about the conduct or practice of paramedics.

All paramedics are urged to familiarise themselves with these documents and to use them to inform their practice and professional development needs.

Standards are set at minimum-level expectations.

Standards are to be observed by all paramedics

• Code of conduct
• Standards of cultural safety and clinical competence

Code of conduct

 The code of conduct provides guidance on appropriate behaviour and can be used by health consumers, paramedics, employers, Te Kaunihera and other bodies to evaluate the behaviour of all paramedics.

The code is built around eight principles, which are themselves based upon the values of respect, trust, partnership and integrity.

• Principle 1: Respect the dignity, individuality and rangatiratanga (self-determination) of health consumers.
• Principle 2: Identify and respect the cultural needs and values of health consumers.
• Principle 3: Work in partnership with health consumers to promote health equity and protect their wellbeing.
• Principle 4: Maintain health consumer trust by providing safe and competent care.
• Principle 5: Respect health consumers’ privacy and confidentiality.
• Principle 6: Work respectfully with colleagues to best meet health consumers’ needs.
• Principle 7: Act with integrity and authenticity to achieve health consumers’ trust.
• Principle 8: Maintain public trust and confidence in the paramedic profession.

The principles and values outlined in the code are designed to help guide paramedics in the standards of conduct expected in their profession. Additionally, as paramedics need the trust of the public, this document also outlines the standard of behaviour expected in their personal lives.

Cultural safety and clinical competence

The standards of cultural safety and clinical competence outline what cultural safety means, why it is important, and how paramedics must acknowledge and reflect on their own biases and attitudes to understand how these impact on the care they provide. Cultural safety benefits all health consumers and communities. This document also outlines the standards for clinical competence which identify the minimum knowledge, skills and professional attributes necessary for practice as a paramedic in Aotearoa New Zealand.