How the scheme runs
EMICS is a physician-only immediate care scheme.  It covers the geographical region of East Midlands Ambulance Service; it follows that members must live and / or work within this region to comply with the EMICS Constitution and requirements of the Charity Commission. Members may only respond when tasked by EMAS. 

EMICS is a relatively small scheme and at present most members respond solo with the appropriate car conversion and driver training, rather than provide shifts with a Paramedic in a Care Scheme model.

How to become an EMICS Doctor
EMICS actively seeks to recruit new members, but as they are likely to respond in a solo capacity in an unsupervised, isolated environment, it is imperative that they are at an appropriate stage in their medical career. This is usually taken to be at ST 3 level or above. In addition, they must have undertaken an approved pre-hospital medical care course, the BASICS PHEC Course being the minimum pre-requisite, and be working towards the specialist qualifications of the Diploma and Fellowship examinations in Immediate Medical Care of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Whilst previous experience in other health care professions and pre-hospital schemes may be taken into account, it is recognised that not all schemes operate in the same way, and EMICS has been instrumental in providing a safe, accountable clinical governance structure in conjunction with EMAS and BASICS.

All new members, irrespective of their previous background or experience, must complete induction training, including an appropriate number of shifts on an EMAS Fast Response Vehicle (FRV) with EMICS & EMAS mentors, and a sign off shift. EMICS members continue to respond with the support of their EMICS and EMAS mentors after their sign-off shift. Once accepted as a member of the scheme they must then complete EMAS blue-light driver training, including theory and practical assessments.

 
Thinking of joining
EMICS appreciates that many more junior doctors are very keen to undertake a similar supervised role or apprenticeship, but unfortunately at the present time EMICS does not have the capacity to provide this. All members are otherwise currently engaged in full-time medical careers and many have other roles in addition. As membership expands, the potential for this future development will be kept under review.

In the meantime, those with an interest are encouraged to attend the East Midlands Regional Faculty of Pre-hospital Care Educational Programme and participate in other exercises and activities, all of which appear on the EMICS web site.