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Paramedic
This page introduces the role of paramedic, including information on entry requirements and training.
What does a paramedic do?
The role
Paramedics are the senior ambulance service healthcare professionals at an accident or a medical emergency. Working on their own or with an emergency care assistant or ambulance technician, they assess the patient's condition and then give essential treatment. They use high-tech equipment, such as defibrillators (which restore the heart's rhythm), spinal and traction splints and intravenous drips, and as well as administering oxygen and drugs.Paramedics are often one of the first healthcare professionals on the scene of any accident or medical emergency. They are usually one of a two-person ambulance crew, with an emergency care assistant or ambulance technician to assist them. However, they might work on their own, using a motorbike, emergency response car or even a bicycle to reach their patients. With extra training, they could also become members of an air ambulance crew.
When they arrive at the scene, they will assess the patient's condition and take potentially life-saving decisions about any treatment needed before the patient is transferred to hospital. They then start giving the treatment, with the assistance of the emergency care assistant or ambulance technician.
They are trained to drive what is in effect a mobile emergency clinic and to resuscitate and/or stabilise patients using sophisticated techniques, equipment and drugs. They might be called out to someone who has fallen from scaffolding, for example, or an elderly person with a suspected stroke. Based at a local ambulance station or a large hospital along with other emergency crews, they work shifts, including evenings and weekends, going out in all weathers at all hours of the night or day. They work closely with doctors and nurses in hospital accident and emergency departments, briefing them as they hand their patient over to their care.
As well as contact with patients, they also deal with patients' relatives and members of the public, some of whom may be hysterical or aggressive. They also often work alongside the police and fire brigade.
Entry requirements
Traditionally, staff joining the ambulance service could work their way up with experience and additional training from care assistant, through ambulance technician to paramedic. However, this route is no longer open to new entrants.Anyone wishing to work as a paramedic will now need to either secure a student paramedic position with an ambulance service trust, or attend an approved full-time course in paramedic science at a university.
Entry requirements for student paramedic positions will vary, depending upon the employing NHS ambulance service trust. Visit the NHS Jobs website to search for student paramedic vacancies (see section below).
The range of paramedic science courses at university varies in terms of entry requirements - from GCSEs to A’ levels or equivalent qualifications - and so it is a case of contacting each university directly for information on their admissions policy.
In order to drive an ambulance, whether emergency or non-emergency, you will need a full, manual driving licence. Ambulance services use vehicles of different gross weights and staff will be required to hold a driving licence with the appropriate classifications to enable them to drive ambulance service vehicles in that particular service.
In some ambulance services, a 'standard' driving licence may be acceptable, but if you passed your test after 1996, you will need an extra driving qualification to drive larger vehicles and carry passengers. Some services may provide support for staff who need to gain further licence classifications, but this is not standard across the UK. It is therefore essential that applicants check with each ambulance service trust to which they intend to apply.
Training
To work in the NHS, paramedics must be registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC).A number of courses have been approved by the HPC, leading to a diploma, foundation degree and/or BSc honours degree in paramedic science. Please use our course finder tool to search for these courses.
Courses tend to be modular with flexible entry and exit points, depending upon your academic qualifications and any relevant experience. They last from two to five years, depending on whether you study full or part time. It's important to check entry requirements with the university concerned and with the ambulance service trust/s in the areas where you want to work.
Students applying for courses open on a full-time basis usually need to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Those already working as student paramedics (or qualified ambulance technicians where these posts still exist) should speak to their employing ambulance service about applications for part-time courses.
Additionally some ambulance service trusts are approved by the HPC to provide training for the Institute of Healthcare Development (IHCD) paramedic award, leading to registration. Visit the HPC website to see the list of ambulance service trusts that have been approved to deliver this award.
Training comprises both theory and practical clinical experience, including several weeks in various hospital departments. Much of the training of paramedics is carried out under the supervision of senior doctors.
Funding for ambulance service training
In many ambulance service trusts, trainees receive a salary whilst training on the job. For further information on the funding available, please contact the individual ambulance service trust within your region.Career development
With further experience, you might take on one of the developing roles in the community such as an emergency care practitioner. Here you could be based in one of a number of different settings, such as a GP surgery, minor injuries unit or hospital accident and emergency department. You will usually need extra training and qualifications for this.Applying for jobs
All ambulance service trusts in England and Wales advertise on the NHS Jobs website. You could also visit ambulance service trust websites directly and Jobcentre Plus.Please visit the NHS Choices for details of ambulance service trusts.
Further information
For more information about the work of paramedics, contact your local ambulance service trust (see “Applying for jobs” section above) and:The British Paramedic Association
28 Wilfred Street
Derby
Derbyshire
DE23 8GF
Tel: 01332 746356
Website: www.britishparamedic.org
The British Paramedic Resource Centre
Website: www.paramedic-resource-centre.com
The Ambulance Service Network represents ambulance services across the UK.
