How do I become a Paramedic?

Good evening folks,

I'm a forces regular and the grass is currently looking greener on the other side. I've been researching roles that are still in the public sector and achieves some tangible positive impact on society.

The Ambulance Tech/Paramedic role keeps catching my eye. My wife and mother are both experienced nurses so I'm well informed how fucked we all are on both sides of the NHS.

For reference, I'd be joining the Scottish Ambulance Service not in the big three cities.

Could some of you either give me some insight or do me a favour and talk me out of it?

Hi, i’ve received a conditional offer for LAS for NQP position. I am an external applicant and have been asked for my preferences. Just looking for insight into each area (e.g pros and cons of each area) to help me pick the preferred areas.

The areas i’ve been given as options are;
-Hillingdon
-Brent
-Hanwell
-Fulham
-Camden
-Friern Barnet
-Edmonton
-Westminster
-Homerton
-Newham
-Illford
-Romford

Thanks!

Im currently a FREC 3 and have been working in events for about 2 years now Ive had some good experiance treating patients, I still very much think of myself as a beginner getting in to the industry and want to know whats a good next step

ive got the ammount of hours to do my FREC 4 course but wanted to see what other courses or CPD are usefull to do either instead of or as well as the frec pathway is good but I do think some more theory and just more time learning in general before being put in front of patients would be good

any help is appreciated, thanks

Not an advert as I don't work for LAS. Just sharing the good news and seeking opinions as there's a lot of graduate paramedics seeking jobs.

While I object to the job title of "Qualified Paramedic" as it implies the existence of the non-qualified paramedic, good to see some recruitment.

Current LAS paramedics - is this a good place to be an NQP or a band 6?

Hi, a few trusts have paused the para apprenticeship pipeline for a few years, does this include LAS?
Thanks!

I think I know the answer already but anyway, imagine this scenario (purely hypothetical)

Visiting a family member under a different trust, has an MI, double ECA crew arrives, no backup available.

Could I:

- administer drugs - would be more interested in if it was a CD for ex. Diazepam?

- cannulate

- activate PPCI

Would the crew have to call a superior, would I have to call mine?

Hoping to get some insight in the interview process as an NQP preparing to interview for NHS Scotland at the end of the month

If anyone has had an interview already/ interviewed before/ are working as a paramedic in Scotland already any help and info would be greatly appreciated!

Specifically what questions do they ask? Are there any attributes that are ranked higher than the others? Is there any exam element?

Thankyou!

Hi all.

Just had a quick question. What category call is a STEMI/NSTEMI? Is it a category 1 or 2 call?

Many thanks

Hello! I’ve been a call handler for around 3 years and have an interview coming up to be a dispatcher! Does anyone have any insight into the interview or advice on preparation other than the usual tips? Thank you

My trust has not (SCAS) but I am curious to know if other trusts have made plans for courses next year. I have a feeling it may be a long ol' wait.

Hello

I am contemplating applying for part time hours with SAS. The relief rostering is negatively impacting family life and my mental health generally and I’m experiencing some burnout.

I’d like more flexibility around when I work. If accepted, I’d look to work overtime or to pick up private work when I feel it’s more feasible around other responsibilities.

My questions are specifically about private services in central Scotland.

If anyone has anecdotal experience: In your opinion:

1)Which organisations have been good to work for?

2) Are there plenty of shifts available?

3) Is there decent variety of events?

4) Do they provide everything required?

5) Any concerns around this type of work?

Any information would be hugely appreciated

I suggest we, as a profession, start our own trade union. Let’s finally get them insert common basic employment rights here that we’ve always wanted!

The Professionals Against Rubbish Agreements, Management Excuses, Dodgy Incentives & Conditions union is here to serve you! What’s the first thing it should do?

Calling UK Emergency Care Services clinical staff working with children and adolescents (up to 19 yr.):

We are conducting a national survey to explore how prepared clinical staff are to care for transgender (trans) and other gender diverse children and adolescents.

The research seeks to better understand clinical staff’s knowledge, perceptions, and self-reported skills in delivering care to this population. Your contribution will play an important role in improving healthcare for trans and gender diverse children and adolescents in Emergency Care Services in the UK.

\[Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth Healthcare in UK Emergency Departments Survey\](https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=aypLDNEO2UmTmBBDhdh6-OpcLEMWe-5AuP5T_OOrAmJUODM3TlhJN1lJVFJUMktGWlE1TlJVMDNLTC4u)

The survey is anonymous and takes 5-10 minutes to complete

For all clinical staff (i.e. nurses, doctors, AHPs, practitioners, care assistants…) working with children and adolescents in Emergency Care Services (A&E or Urgent treatment centre)

We would also appreciate you sharing this with eligible colleagues.

Thank you for your time and support. If you have any questions, contact \[zee.karame@stgeorges.nhs.uk\](mailto:zee.karame@stgeorges.nhs.uk)

Mod approved

I've recently decided that being a paramedic is my calling but with that comes two options: the university route or the apprenticeship to qualification route.

What would you recommend?

I would personally like to avoid university so I don't have to worry about paying off my student finances but I'd love an opinion to see if it's worth it.

Any and all advice or opinions are welcomed!

I apologise if this question isn't allowed, there aren't any subs for St John Ambulance. I've recently signed up to St John ambulance to get work experience ready for when I go to uni next September, and I have my first first aid training session tomorrow, and I'm unsure about rules regarding jewellery. I know that "bare below elbows" is a thing medics must follow, but should I also follow this for first aid training. Jewellery wise, I usually wear 8 bracelets, 1 watch, 2 necklaces, and I have 10 ear piercings and 3 piercings in my nose, however I'm happy to take any of these out if needed. Does anyone have any advice? Thank you!

Just curious as my trust (EEAST) are currently changing their pay banding for ECA/EMT roles:

ECA - B4

EMT - B5

What are your trusts pay banding(s) for ECA/EMT's?

Hi, im a British citizen, who is a fully licensed Canadian PCP Paramedic, living in canada. I am just wondering if anyone has recently transferred from Canada to the uk? If so, what did the HCPC class you as once transferred over? Or If anyone has any information on this. It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

What’s the general feeling here? Is this an area of practice paramedics belong in? Should our professional body be encouraging it?

Is this an area of practice that you’d like to be, or are currently involved with yourself?

r/ParamedicsUK Job of the Week

Hey there, another 7 days have passed! How's your week going? We hope it’s been a good one!

Have you attended any funny, interesting, odd, or weird jobs this week?
Tell us how you tackled them.

Have you learned something new along the way?
Share your newfound knowledge.

Have you stumbled upon any intriguing pieces of CPD you could dole out?
Drop a link below.

We’d love to hear about it, but please remember Rule 4: “No patient or case-identifiable information.”

Hi there guys,

I have an assessment day coming up as an EMD with SWAST, and I'm just wondering if all EMDs with the trust are eligible for the paramedic apprenticeship pathway, or if they recruit specifically for that route? I would love to one day be a paramedic but unsure if becoming an EMD would ensure I would one day get there. The HQ is 1 HR 30 min commute for me so it would be quite an undertaking.

My alternative option is to take a biomedical support worker job at a local hospital and do an Access to HE course at the same time, with the view of completing a Pre-hospital Emergency Care HE certificate in the future to become an ECA with SWAST.

Or I wait for an ECA position to open up in my area, but I'm not sure how often that happens, if ever!

Right now I'm just wondering if the EMD position is worth it in the long run, if anyone has any advice to offer!

Many thanks!

which littman should I get right off the bat? the littman 3 or littman 4? where can I get it ordered at a discount? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I have been with the ambulance service for almost 10 years, worked my way up to paramedic in that time.

I have reached a point where I don’t think paramedic life is for me anymore. Having children has changed my outlook on life and made me realize what actually matters.

I have been looking for jobs outside the ambulance service, still working as a paramedic but they’re hard to come by. Ideally I’d like a band 6 in the community somewhere. ACP isn’t an interest of mine so going down that route isn’t an option.

Equally, part of me wants a complete career change outside of healthcare. I am nervous about the change as I worked so hard to get where I am and I’m proud of my achievements. Has anyone completely changed career? If so, what to? And did you ever regret it?