Paramedics are registered healthcare professionals who have a unique role that crosses healthcare, public health, social care and public safety, they work autonomously providing care in a range of situations. They play a vital role across both urgent and emergency care and are increasingly becoming employed within the primary care environment.
Paramedics use a variety of modes of transport to reach patients work including emergency response cars, motorbikes and bicycles. They assess the patient’s condition and make potentially life-saving decisions about whether the patient can be treated at the scene or transferred to hospital.
To practice as, and call yourself a paramedic, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register with the HCPC, you first need to successfully complete an approved qualification in paramedic science.
Being a paramedic is a highly rewarding job. The traditional role of working in an ambulance service as a paramedic can at times, be physically, mentally and emotionally demanding, and the long shift patterns interfering with family relationships and interrupting social commitments can be difficult to manage. But job satisfaction is considered to be high, paramedics deliver and support life, deal with death and everything in between.
Paramedics employed in the out-of-hospital setting deal with people at some of the most vulnerable times of their lives and with this comes the ability to make a difference, to do something that matters, to help someone in their time of greatest need. The paramedic role is evolving, constantly emerging and becoming increasingly effective and valuable in a range of healthcare settings. The College of Paramedics Digital Paramedic Career Framework highlights case studies and the many diverse roles that paramedics now work in, including commissioning, public health, primary, urgent and emergency care, and a range of hospital settings.
The role of a paramedic is diverse, there is something for everyone. Working for an NHS ambulance service and responding to 999 calls or venturing into critical care with an air ambulance role. Perhaps managing your own caseload by working for a GP practice, or working in a walk-in centre or emergency department. There are opportunities in leadership and management, research and development, and education and many other organisations not specifically linked to healthcare too. Being a paramedic means being a part of a valued, exciting and evolving profession and the College of Paramedics is committed to seeing paramedics achieve their full potential for the benefit of patients across the UK.
In an emergency, Paramedics use high-tech equipment such as defibrillators to restore the heart’s rhythm, spinal and traction splints and intravenous drips, as well as administering oxygen and drugs.
Paramedics are trained to drive what is in effect a mobile emergency clinic and to resuscitate and/or stabilise patients using sophisticated techniques, equipment and drugs. For example, a Paramedic might be called out to someone who has fallen from scaffolding or an elderly person with a suspected stroke. Paramedics are trained to resuscitate and/or stabilise patients using sophisticated techniques, equipment and drugs.
As well as contact with your patients, Paramedics also deal with their relatives and friends and members of the public, some of whom might be highly distressed or aggressive. Paramedics are also often work alongside the police and fire and rescue services.
Paramedics have the opportunity to undertake further higher education to progress to one of the roles for experienced paramedics.
The NHS Careers video below explains what it is like to work as a Paramedic.
A paramedic needs the following skills:
- good communication skills
- good listening skills
- excellent driving skills
- organisational skills
- to be able to use equipment and machinery
A paramedic needs to be:
- able to understand a situation quickly
- calm in stressful situations
- confident and reassuring
- resilient in dealing with other people’s strong emotions
- able to follow procedures
- able to work quickly and carefully
- able to work alone or in a team
- prepared to go into unknown or unpredictable situations
To practise as a paramedic, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register with the HCPC, you first need to successfully complete an approved qualification in paramedic science.
To qualify as a paramedic you can:
- take a full-time approved qualification in paramedic science (e.g. at a university) and then apply to an ambulance service as a qualified paramedicor
- become a student paramedic with an ambulance service and study while you work
- apply for a degree standard apprenticeship in paramedic science with an ambulance service trust
University route
University degree courses take between two and four years full time. They include a mixture of theory and practical work including placements with ambulance services.
Approved full-time degree courses last for three years, and DipHE and foundation degree courses take two years. Part-time courses take up to five years. Courses combine university study with practical experience in ambulance services and hospitals.
Paramedic Science degrees cover a broad curriculum including cognitive, theoretical and practical learning, including the acquisition of skills such as team working, problem-solving, reflective practice, the use of information and communications technology, applying research, evidence based and values-based practice and critical reasoning.
For a diploma, foundation degree or degree, you need:
- two or three A levels, including a science, along with five GCSEs (grades A-C), including English language, maths and science
or one of:
- BTEC, HND or HNC which includes science subjects
- relevant NVQ
- science or health-based access course
- equivalent level Scottish or Irish qualifications
Student paramedic route
Ambulance services set their own entry requirements for student paramedics. They usually ask for at least five GCSEs, grade C or above, including English, maths and science or equivalent academic qualification with a high level of health or science content.
Employers also look for a good level of physical fitness and two years’ driving experience.
Most student paramedic schemes usually recruit from once or twice a year. The recruitment process often involves several stages including an assessment centre which might include:
- interviews
- English and maths tests
- problem solving tasks
- a fitness assessment
- a practical driving task
Degree apprenticeship in paramedic science
A degree apprenticeship standard in paramedic science has been approved. To get onto a degree apprenticeship, you will need to apply for an apprentice position with a health care provider. You can search for vacancies on the NHS Jobs website and Find an Apprenticeship website.
Whether you are applying for a full-time course, student paramedic position or degree apprenticeship, you are likely to need to have some relevant experience, either voluntary or paid. For example, working as an emergency care assistant or volunteering with St John Ambulance or the British Red Cross.
There are Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) approved full-time degree, Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) and foundation degree programmes in paramedic science and paramedic practice.
Use the Health Education England course finder to find Paramedic science degrees in the North West of England.
Training as a student paramedic includes driver training, communication, emergency first aid, anatomy and physiology.
You study for a qualification in paramedical science as well as doing practical work under supervision. The length of training varies between ambulance services – usually between two and five years.
As a qualified paramedic joining an ambulance service, you have training to introduce you to the service. You will be expected to attend further training courses to keep your skills and knowledge up to date.
Once qualified, paramedics often join the College of Paramedics
Registered paramedics have to keep their skills and knowledge up to date with annual continuing professional development (CPD). The College of Paramedics runs courses, conferences and seminars where paramedics can exchange ideas and update their skills.
Registered paramedics have to keep their skills and knowledge up to date with annual continuing professional development (CPD). The College of Paramedics runs courses, conferences and seminars where paramedics can exchange ideas and update their skills.
As a paramedic you can progress from one grade or band to another. You’ll need some experience in a generalist role first, but you can move into an area that interests you, such as working for an air ambulance unit or gaining promotion as an emergency care practitioner. Progressing in this way can involve studying for further qualifications.