Paramedic

Paramedics respond to medical emergencies. They treat and stabilise patients before transporting them to hospital by ambulance. They may find themselves dealing with the aftermath of any situation, from a serious road accident or violent assault to a heart attack or a fall.

The paramedic's role includes:

• assessing the patient's condition
• starting any necessary treatment
• using high-tech medical equipment to treat and stabilise patients
• administering appropriate drugs
• driving the ambulance or response unit
• briefing doctors and nurses on the patient's condition.

Paramedics are usually teamed with an emergency care assistant or ambulance technician, whose role is to assist them. Most paramedics drive conventional ambulances and are based at local ambulance stations.

Paramedics work shifts, including some nights and weekends. They need a manual driving licence and, in many cases, must be qualified to drive heavier vehicles. Paramedics work in many different places treating casualties and may also spend time in hospitals.

Salaries for National Health Service (NHS) paramedics start at £20,710 a year and can rise to £33,436 for paramedics with additional training and team leading responsibilities.

A paramedic should:

• have a responsible and caring approach
• have strong communication and interpersonal skills
• be able to stay calm in a crisis
• be physically fit
• be interested in medicine and patient care.

Most paramedics work in NHS ambulance service trusts across the UK. There are some opportunities in private services and in the armed forces.

To work in the NHS, paramedics must be registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) and have completed a programme approved by the HPC. To qualify as a paramedic, candidates either apply to ambulance service trusts as student paramedics and follow an approved programme, or take a full-time approved higher education programme in paramedic science and qualify on completion.

Entry requirements vary from at least five GCSEs (A*-C) up to two or three A levels. Equivalent qualifications, such as a Higher or Advanced Diploma in society, health and development may be accepted. Once qualified, paramedics continue to receive regular training.

Paramedics may choose to stay as clinicians, and train as emergency care practitioners or advanced paramedics. They may move into other roles such as training or management. Many senior ambulance officers are former paramedics.

Further details