The medical profession is vast, with various niches to pursue and establish a promising career. One of the best is being a paramedic. These are highly trained and skilled medical personnel, educated to carry out some of the duties of a physician, but to a specific limitation. Paramedics specialise in emergency treatment, and they are not doctors, nurses or physician’s assistants. So, what is the paramedic salary in Kenya?
Is a paramedic’s career lucrative? It depends on your career objectives. As you know, it is always satisfying to do what you love. However, remuneration is essential. So, what is the paramedic salary in Kenya per month?
Who is a paramedic?
According to Web MD, a paramedic is an individual who specialises in emergency treatment. The word paramedic combines “para”, meaning next to, and “medic”, translating to a doctor. Paramedics are not doctors, but they work closely with doctors in their day-to-day activities at the hospital.
Paramedics give urgent or emergency care to patients before they see the doctor. Therefore, they are essential to a medical facility as they save numerous lives – people who would perhaps have succumbed if they had to wait longer to see the doctor.
People often confuse paramedics with Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), although numerous EMTs become paramedics. So, where do paramedics often work?
- Cruise ships
- Oil drilling platforms
- Air rescue transport
- On ocean rescue teams
- At special events like music festivals
- On firefighting teams
What do paramedics do during the emergency response?
- Do CPR
- Use a defibrillator
- Clear airways
- Give someone a tracheotomy
- Use mechanical breathing devices
- Do basic medical tests
- Interpret the results of the tests
- Monitor the person who is sick during the trip to the hospital or the doctor.
- Interpret patient data on monitoring equipment
- Communicate with the supervising doctor
- Upon arrival, provide a detailed account of the person's condition to the doctor.
What is the paramedic salary in Kenya?
According to Glassdoor, the salary range of a paramedic in Kenya is an average of Ksh.65,000 monthly. Other platforms like the Salary Scale put the salary of paramedics at an estimated average of Ksh.33,000 monthly.
Which paramedic gets paid the most?
You can be a paramedic in various capacities and earn a different salary in these positions based on the workload and seniority. Therefore, you can expect a paramedic supervisor to make one of the highest paramedic salaries in Kenya.
Supervisors provide basic and advanced emergency services (EMS), care and evaluation of patients on the scene and during transport.
In other lucrative positions, you can expect a high monthly paramedic or EMT payment if you double up as a flight paramedic. Flight paramedics’ primary role is to care for patients while they are transported to a medical facility. During transport, the flight paramedic will stabilise the patient who has suffered injuries or is ailing from something else.
The ambulance driver's salary is also lucrative, depending on their role. For instance, if the medical driver can operate a vehicle to transport passengers to and from medical appointments and still do a paramedic job, that is a great advantage.
What are paramedic qualifications in Kenya?
According to the Kenya Red Cross Training Institute, the following are the qualifications someone should meet to pursue a Diploma in Paramedicine:
- KCSE Grade C or its equivalent with a minimum of a C in each of the following (Biology, English/Swahili, Chemistry/Physics/Mathematics) or
- Qualified EMT from Kenya Red Cross Training Institute or any other reputable and recognised institution duly certified with a valid registration and practice license or
- Qualified Clinical health care worker holding a valid Certificate/Diploma/Degree in the relevant health-related course (Certificate/Diploma/Degree in Nursing/Community Health Nursing or a Diploma/Degree in Clinical Medicine or a Degree in Medicine, MBBS/MBChB)
The institution also states that one can get employment in government hospitals, private hospitals, ambulance rescue services, non-governmental organisations, defence force Emergency Medical Teams and lectures in EMS institutions.
Wrapping up
The paramedic salary in Kenya averages Ksh.65,000 monthly, but it is subject to change since the market is dynamic. However, if you get to a paramedic supervisor position, you are bound to earn more than this amount because of the more significant responsibilities you will handle.
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions. Any action you take based on the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
Are you searching for more information about Kenya's average monthly and annual salary? One thing about Kenya is that it has a vast collection of immensely talented individuals, creating a robust workforce. Tuko.co.ke created an article highlighting the average in the various popular fields in the country.
The exciting thing is that three-quarters of Kenyans work in the formal sector, earning a monthly salary below Ksh.50,000. So, how much do people in the informal sector make?
