Paramedics deal with emergency cases, as well as complex non-emergency hospital admissions, discharges and transfers. They work as part of a rapid response unit with support from an ambulance technician.

Emergencies can range from minor injuries to serious casualties in a major road or rail accident.

The role of the paramedic can include:  

• providing all aspects of pre-hospital emergency care
• assessing a situation and making decisions quickly about emergency treatment and movement of the patient
• using advanced life support techniques
• carrying out certain surgical procedures
• administering a range of drugs for the emergency treatment of a number of medical and trauma conditions.

They are trained in advanced driving skills and can work on traditional ambulances, as well as rapid response cars and motorcycles. They are also responsible for checking the efficiency of the vehicle and equipment. Accurate record keeping is an essential part of the job.

Hours and Environment

Full-time ambulance personnel in the NHS work about 40 hours a week. Paramedics work on rotating shifts, including nights, weekends and public holidays. Many ambulance personnel work part-time.

Paramedics have to work in all weathers. As the work involves handling and lifting patients and some heavy equipment, they must be physically fit.

Some situations can be distressing and sometimes paramedics can be faced with aggression from patients or other members of the public.

Skills and Interests

As a paramedic, you should:

• be interested in the care and well-being of patients
• be able to deal with life and death situations and stay calm when working under pressure
• enjoy working with the public
• have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• be able to work well in a team
• be well-organised
• show initiative and be able to take decisions quickly
• be physically fit and emotionally resilient.

Entry

To work as a paramedic you must be state registered with the Paramedics Board at the Health Professions Council (HPC). To enrol on the register you need to complete a HPC approved qualification and period of training.

There are two routes leading to registration as a paramedic:

Higher education, direct-entry route - this involves studying at one of seven universities offering HPC approved courses in paramedic science or paramedic practice. You will need to satisfy the entry requirements for both the university and ambulance service.

Academic entry requirements for a foundation degree or diploma of higher education are usually five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including English, maths, and science, plus one A level/two H grades in a life science or natural science. Entry onto a BSc (Hons) degree in paramedic science will usually require the same GCSEs/S grades plus at least two A levels/three H grades.

An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

On completion of the course you are eligible for state registration as a paramedic, and direct-entry to some ambulance services as a paramedic. Funding may be available for courses - contact the individual ambulance trust for your region.

Traditional work-based route - this involves joining the ambulance service as an ambulance care assistant (some services allow entry at technician level) and with experience and through internal promotion, gain access to paramedic training leading to the Institute of Health Care Development (IHCD) qualification and state registration as a paramedic. For details on joining the ambulance service as an ambulance care assistant or technician, please check the relevant job profiles.

Note: The ambulance service in the UK is organised on a regional basis and run by district health authorities or NHS trusts. Each ambulance service sets its own entry requirements, and recruitment procedures will vary between regions. It is essential you contact your local ambulance service for further advice regarding their specific entry criteria.

Both options require you to be at least 18 years old (21 in some services), with a good general standard of education and the ability to pass a series of entrance exams. You must also hold a full, clean, manual driving licence. If you passed your test after 1996, you may need to gain an extra driving qualification (known as C1 and D1) which will enable you to drive passenger carrying, medium sized vehicles. Some ambulance services may provide support to candidates through this extra driving qualification, however, this is not standard practice. All new entrants must pass a medical, and many services conduct a police check.

Training

The higher education route to state registration as a paramedic is to undertake a HPC approved course. Please check the HPC website (see Further Information) for an up-to-date list of courses offered, which include foundation degrees, Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) courses, and BSc (Hons) degrees in Paramedic Science.

Courses combine technical and work-related skills. Typically, candidates attend university full-time during the first year, and one day a week for the following two or three years, whilst at the same time working as an ambulance technician earning a salary. Full-time programmes are aimed at new entrants; the part-time version is open to qualified paramedics who, although able to practise, may still wish to achieve the qualification. The duration of a course can range from two years full-time to five years part-time.

The traditional route to paramedic training is to work for at least one year as a fully qualified ambulance technician, and pass the selection test for paramedics. Once accepted for paramedic training, you will follow an intensive course lasting 10 to 12 weeks consisting of theory and practical clinical experience, and leading to the Institute of Health Care Development (IHCD) qualification. nbsp;Several weeks are spent in various hospital departments, including the operating theatre, coronary care unit, and accident and emergency. Subjects studied include anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and advanced patient assessment. After passing a final assessment, you qualify as a paramedic and can register with the HPC.

Paramedics attend regular training and reassessment, including re-certification every three years.

Opportunities

Most ambulance personnel are trained by and work for the NHS, although there are some opportunities to train and work in the armed forces or private ambulance services.

Some ambulance services employ experienced paramedics in the role of emergency care practitioner (ECP). This involves working in a variety of settings such as the patients own home, GP surgery and minor injuries unit, with patients who have serious but not life-threatening problems. Experienced and qualified paramedics will need to undertake additional training in order to apply for this role. Local ambulance trusts will have more information.

Some services offer the opportunity to train as helicopter ambulance crews or to operate car or motorcycle rapid response units. Paramedics can also progress into areas such as operational management, training, or human resources.

Paramedics are increasingly working in other areas of health care, such as the community, with GPs and practice nurses, caring for patients in the surgery and visiting them at home.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

A paramedic can earn between £19,200 and £25,000 a year. 
Additional allowances may be paid to staff on standby, and to those based in London or the south east.

Further information

Tel: 08000 150 850
Email: learning@nhscareers.nhs.uk PO Box 376
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655 Friars House
157-168 Blackfriars Road
London
SE1 8EZ
Tel: 020 7928 9620

28 Wilfred Street DerbyDE23 8GF
Tel: 01332 746 356

Park House
184 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
Tel: 020 7582 0866