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It's been about a year that I've been considering the ramifications of retraining, and as mrs JB is doing her PGCE this year, it might mean it's my turn next year.
It's a career I've been thinking about for a while now - has anyone got experience of the job, and what route did you take in (uni? train on the job? promoted from driver/technician?) How have you found it since you started?
Cheers
Jim
Been discussed recently [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/any-emtsparamedics-on-here ]HERE[/url]
I have experienced both routes after initially traning on the 'old style' Advanced technician course I then went on to do the university based diploma/degree course which takes 1-3 years depending on if you are direct entry or already a qualified adv tech.
I think your only option now is uni based which will take 2 years to get the diploma and register as a Paramedic. This is a combination of full time paid study and working with a qualified Paramedic as a student paramedic in between. Once qualified you have the option of various routes of specialisation and further study.
I would thoroughly recommend it. Great job most of the time, great cameraderie and very rewarding + the advantage of never the same day twice and not stuck in an office. Downsides are dealing with distress/blood/vomit/sh1t on a regular basis, so definately not for the squeamish.
Wish I'd done it years ago as for the first time in my life I almost look forward to going to work 🙂
I am a technician, My job title is student paramedic. I will be doing my para course next year hopefully.
Best job in the world, I too look forward to going inn.
You never know what your next job is, thats what I love so much about it.
Go for it mate
London Ambulance Service is currently recruiting direct entry for student paramedics, you could commute by train from Brighton and work out of Waterloo, London is one of the last services to offer this route, in a few years it'll be uni only, other services have already shut down internal training in favour of Paramedic Science degrees.
I tried really hard to get into this in the Lothians. They were still taking direct entry but hundreds of applicants per place and a very difficult recruitment process. I got close but never made it in.
I've just completed the 2nd year of the university based Paramedic course, i'm just waiting on my registration with the HPC to come through so i can practice. I've worked in the ambulance service for 5yrs. PTS for 10months, Urgents for 18months, the rest a&e.
The job is fantastic, really enjoy the variation of work and being out and about. Whilst there are some bad/nasty things/people you'll encounter you also encounter the other end of the spectrum too.
The training was at times a little strained. My course had been adapted from a nurses course and at times i did wonder how much was actually relevant to the role. The first year was 9wks(this varies)training followed by 3wks driver training. For the 1st year you can't work unsupervised so ideally you'll be with a trained Paramedic. The 2nd year was 2wks training then 2wks on the road. 10wks training in total i think. Then 6wks hospital placements to learn/practice skills like intubation/cannulation and visits to maternity/paeds/chest pain assesment units/a&e departments.
The pay isn't great to start with and it will take awhile to get to something decent. I think being realistic though for me its the best paid job i could realistically achieve.
Search NHS Jobs - it'll give you an idea of the pay for student paramedics, NEAS have the pay listed, but don't include the shift allowance which can be upto 25%.
Hope that helps 🙂
💡 also . . . LAS run 5 sites of full time Cycle Response Units - which may suit you sir
Thanks chaps - am now on the list for further information next time LAS do a recruitment round in early 2010.
It's always appealed, but it's getting to that point now where I've got to make a decision career wise, so best get on with it!
Thanks for the replies -
🙂