Paramedic jobs

When a patient need assistance, you will often be one of the first people to arrive on the scene as a paramedic. It's a high-pressure and important job, and in order to save people's lives, you'll need to take care of the situation as soon as possible.

a day at the office

There is never a dull moment in the life of a licensed paramedic. Every day brings something new. You will be required to work in a variety of emergency and non-emergency scenarios, utilizing your judgment and abilities to rapidly assess a patient's health in order to come to judgments that might save their life.

You will get training to revive patients and stabilize their conditions utilizing advanced medical procedures, apparatus, and medications. In the event of a medical emergency, you may have to make use of high-tech equipment such as defibrillators, spinal and traction splints, in addition to giving oxygen and medications.

You should expect to often collaborate with the fire and rescue services as well as the police. You won't just be supporting your patients; you'll also be supporting their families, friends, and members of the general public, some of whom may be quite anxious.

You will be the more senior part of a two-person team as a paramedic, with an emergency care assistant or technician working beside you to provide assistance. You also have the option of working alone by riding a motorcycle or a bicycle, or offering advise over the phone from a control room or clinical center.

In the community, paramedics collaborate closely with members of various healthcare teams, including primary care physicians, occupational therapists, mental health teams, diabetes experts, and physicians and nurses who work in hospital emergency rooms.

You will mostly be based at a local ambulance station, where you will work shifts, which may include nights and weekends, and you will be required to work in all kinds of weather.

Entry requirements

Before you can work as a paramedic, you will first need to have a degree that is recognized in the field of paramedic science or have a degree earned via an apprenticeship program. After that, you will need to submit an application to work as a certified paramedic for an ambulance service and register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Courses in paramedic science typically last anywhere from three to four years when completed full-time. These years are split between theoretical study and hands-on training, including rotations around ambulance services.

The following are normally required to enroll in a course at the undergraduate level:

two or three A levels, one of which must be in science, and five GCSEs (grades 9-4/A-C), with at least one each in English language, mathematics, and science are required.

or comparable qualifications:

a BTEC, HND, or HNC, with science among the subjects studied

a relevant NVQ

a preparatory course with a focus on either science or health

credentials from Scotland or Ireland that are comparable.

Because each institution determines its own admission standards, it is essential to get in touch with the schools of interest immediately.

When applying for a position as a paramedic, you will be asked to demonstrate how you believe the principles outlined in the NHS Constitution are reflected in the work that you do on a daily basis. If you are interested in becoming a paramedic, the process will be exactly the same.

Annual payments

If you are qualified, you will receive a yearly stipend of at least $5,000 to assist with the costs of your education while you are attending college. It's possible that because of your unique circumstances, you may get more. What's the good news, you ask? You won't ever have to worry about having to pay it back. Learn as much as you can.

Degree apprenticeship/student paramedic

Some ambulance trusts provide employees with the opportunity to continue their education while they are on the job; however, each trust determines its own standards for eligibility. In most cases, they will ask for:

a minimum of five GCSEs with grades of at least 4 or C, including English, Mathematics, and Science.

or

comparable academic qualification with a substantial amount of material pertaining to health or science

Employers want to see evidence that applicants are physically healthy and have at least two years of driving experience. The hiring process often consists of multiple steps, each of which may consist of interviews, examinations, fitness checks, or driving duties. Because both your company and the government will be responsible for paying any necessary fees, apprenticeships do not qualify for student grants; nonetheless, you will be compensated monetarily.

Permission to drive

You will need to have a full, manual driving license in order to apply to work for an ambulance service trust either as a student paramedic or after you have completed all of your training and become fully certified. If you took and passed your driver's license exam after the year 1996, you may need to take and pass an additional driving qualification test in order to operate bigger vehicles and transport passengers. Check to see the vehicle classes you need on your license since various ambulance service trusts utilize different sizes of vehicles.

Must-have skills

It is important to keep in mind that scholastic accomplishments are not the only thing that matters. You will be thrust into circumstances that are unexpected or unanticipated while you work as a paramedic; thus, you will need to be able to maintain your composure and provide reassurance even when under pressure, in addition to having excellent communication skills. You'll also need to have the ability to work quickly and make judgments that are both rapid and accurate.

Instruction and advancement in one's profession

After obtaining your certification, your career options as a paramedic include becoming a team leader and directing other paramedics and emergency care aides, specializing in a particular field such as strokes, or working for an air ambulance service. You might advance your career as a paramedic and take on a more responsible and senior position with extra training to become an experienced paramedic. There are other opportunities available in the areas of teaching, research, and management.

Benefits and remuneration

Your typical work week will consist of around 37.5 hours and will follow a shift plan that will typically include working nights, getting an early start, evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. According to the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay scale, your salary as a paramedic will normally begin at band 5 and increase to band 6 after a period of two years after your first employment.

In addition, you will get 27 days of yearly vacation in addition to the bank holidays, as well as savings on health services and participation in our comprehensive pension plan.