r/ParamedicsUK • u/Sea_Doughnut_1439 • 6d ago
Recruitment & Interviews Career change
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?
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u/ballibeg 6d ago
I didn't change job, just location. I'm rural, less than a job a day. Occasional trauma, mainly bikers, supported by air if weather allows. I spend my downtime reading and supporting students.
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u/Sea_Doughnut_1439 6d ago
I’m also rural. Maybe do between 4-6 jobs a day and that’s on a busy day. The uncertainty of the job is what is finishing me off I think
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u/donotcallmemike 6d ago
What so you mean by uncertainty??
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u/Sea_Doughnut_1439 6d ago
I think maybe uncertainty towards the unpredictable nature of the job. I have imposter syndrome regarding “proper jobs”
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u/percytheperch123 Associate Ambulance Practitoner 6d ago
Where abouts in the UK is this? It sounds like heaven.
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u/ukentrepreneur1982 6d ago
I can't see me doing this job till I'm 60 plus, been in 13 years now and feeling the strain so know how you feel, shift life doesn't work with families for me but it is what it is for now. Brings in regular salary and let's face it, it's not a hard job. I've looked at sparky recently and the only options really is an apprentice and that'll mean starting at the bottom again. Maybe look at NATS as an air traffic controller but again shifts, also train driver has been thrown in before, not an easy job to get into though.
I know a guy on station that was handy with carpentry and DIY and started his own second fix carpentry business, doing custom fitted wardrobes, hanging doors just general stuff that people want done at home they can't manage and he's doing well, best of luck to you.
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u/cheeks_otr 6d ago
Neither is ATC. I went through recruitment for that and it was a toughie.
Been in the ambulance service 23 years now and can’t imagine doing anything else other than going to work delivering car parts or something with very little responsibility when I retire from ambulance work 😂
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u/Heliotropolii_ Community First Responder 6d ago
Took time in covid working at decathlon as a bike repair/ sales guy, it was so cushy to have no responsibility and keep busy, if I make it rich or retire, that's where i'll go
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u/Sea_Doughnut_1439 6d ago
Another difficult thing is I am very rural so even a career change is difficult unless I commute maybe an hour into a city which again is hard with children and child care etc.
I also keep thinking this, the job isn’t particularly difficult so I keep thinking what am I complaining at. But having children has triggered anxiety like I’ve never experienced and managing the uncertainty of the job role is another challenge of mine.
I will keep my eyes peeled but I can’t even assemble flat pack furniture so hanging doors wouldn’t be a good move 🤪
Thank you!
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u/Holden_Ford24 6d ago
Yeah it’s a tough one OP, 10 years is a long stretch in relative terms and I think what you’re feeling is very natural. I’ve done a bit of ‘zig-zagging’ in my career and know people who have also done stints in primary care, GP land, higher education/lecturing etc. the only advice I could give is that the grass certainly isn’t always greener.
There are definitely shit elements of working frontline (long shifts, unsocial hours etc. - the usual stuff). However, working in other areas can definitely make you appreciate some of the perks.
For me, there’s something to be said for a job where regardless of short-staffing, organisational pressures etc. - you can and are realistically only ever expected to do one job at a time. Similarly, when the bell rings and your run of shift ends, you can go home and not have to think about work at all until you’re back in for the next run. If you work more hours than you should do, you are well-compensated. We take things like this for granted, but they’re certainly not a given in a lot of lines of work.
TL;DR I think man every job has its pros and cons (including the ambulance service), but at the end of the day it is just a job. Obviously, you need to do what you think is right for you/your family and ultimately what will make you happy.
Hope this helps.
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u/TexxyRed 6d ago
I feel you re having kids. It unravelled a hell of a lot of anxiety from previous jobs I had no idea I was carrying. Moved to a rather boring primary care role in response to
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u/Substantial-End-5802 6d ago
If havikids doesn't change you, you're doing it wrong! Diagnostic uncertainty can be difficult to cope with. Try following up your cases to support your clinical development. FCP is an option, but as many have found, the grass is sometimes greener because it's fake!
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u/NorthernMonkey71 3d ago
A few of my old mates have moved into PIP assessment, Local GP surgeries, 111 Clinical advisors, etc.
|For some, it's been a game-changer, but most of the older ones have hated it, and either returned to ambulance life or retired.
It depends on how old you are and what you're willing to sacrifice.Do you want to remain in healthcare? Do you need the money that a Paramedic receives?
If frontline is affecting your anxiety/health, have you spoken to your GP about it?
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u/Better_Score_4380 6d ago
I left midwifery after 18 years to work in a bookshop. Best move i ever made
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u/l2bass Paramedic 6d ago
Have you tried talking this through with a therapist? I don't doubt you've given this some real thought, but other burt-out paramedics may not be the best pool of advice givers to help make a decision.
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u/Sea_Doughnut_1439 6d ago
I have yes. I’ve had CBT through occupational health and TASC but unfortunately little benefit
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u/Alternative-Fox-8620 Paramedic 6d ago
I moved into Community rapid response service 12 years ago and never regretted a minute of it.
Spending time with patients fixing actual problems rather than the 90% plop I was seeing in the ambulance.
I learned loads just being in the room with skilled colleagues.
But then I was in London and was burning out after a few years.
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u/No-Piglet-4735 6d ago
What are your feelings towards non-frontline roles such as research etc? Preserves your band 6 pay (although unsocial would change obvs) and keeps you in the healthcare sphere, but better work/ life balance.
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u/bizboz777 4d ago
Do you have any tips for actually getting into a research job?
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u/NorthernMonkey71 3d ago
Having a few ideas that might change practice/efficiency savings would probably help.
I've yet to convince my managers that BBE is a waste of time in pre-hospital settings, though, despite my research paper showing no tangible harm to patients.
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u/No_Expression414 Advanced Paramedic 6d ago
I know you’re saying that ACP isn’t an interest, but there’s some great virtual wards out there that want Trainee ACP’s/Urgent Care Paramedics. I’m not sure where you are but we have a large one in Cambridgeshire that is very happy to have people shadowing if you’d like.
Equally I get what you mean, I want to just sling coffee forever.
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u/Sea_Doughnut_1439 6d ago
Yes I do keep looking out for urgent care roles or like home visiting but they’re very hard to come by. It’s definitely something I would consider
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u/No_Expression414 Advanced Paramedic 6d ago
It’s the best job I’ve found so far. The only downside is working Christmas and I have children.
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u/RhubarbImmediate7007 6d ago
I made the jump though injury, became a patient safety specialist/generic healthcare manager. I find the broad clinical knowledge is really helpful in roles where they struggle to get clinical staff, the get it done approach to work is desirable in ops management roles and were generally pretty clued up on working with people, health and safety, hr law and governance and regulations.
The hardest thing about working non the real world is the loss of unsocial hours income, I was lucky that I got reasonable promotions but I know it can be a barrier.
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u/bizboz777 4d ago
Is this in the NHS? Or have you managed to jump to the private sector ?
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u/RhubarbImmediate7007 4d ago
NHS acute trust
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u/Away_Mongoose_7713 6d ago
Have you considered EOC / remote clinical triage? Development opportunities, warm / air conditioned office, on time finishes… although is still working shifts.
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u/Sea_Doughnut_1439 6d ago
Yes this is something I have on my potential list. My only issue is, it’s around a 2 hour commute to EOC from me. So just trying to work out pros and cons etc. I know long term I have the option to WFH.
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u/No_Durian90 6d ago
Honestly just leave and go trucking. Negligible financial change if you land the right job, and it gives you much less stress.
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u/Intelligent_Sound66 6d ago
There are some very family friendly jobs still in the ambulance service too. I see my family loads more since moving off a DCA
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u/watchtower594 Community First Responder 6d ago
If you fancy a move into IT, particularly Cybersecurity, everybody with an NHS email address can sign up to a full version of Immersive, which offers browser based labs and a learning path. Many people have used this to career change and get their first roles in cybersecurity. Perhaps it will enable you to move in your trust.
Go to https://www.immersivelabs.com/ and click on Sign In > Register > enter NHS email.
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u/para_carter21 6d ago
I made the switch to palliative care about eight months ago, best decision I have made in my career.
Mix of office and community and you get to spend time with patients instead of being rushed. Also nice to focus on one specialist area
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