Ambulance technician / paramedic

[eupharies]

Hey i been exploring and well, checked herts uni

Courses:
- Foundation Degree in Paramedical Science with IHCD Technician and Paramedic Award
- BSc (Hons) in Paramedical Science (full-time)
- BSc (Hons) in Paramedical Science with Emergency Care Practitce (part-time)


Im guessing the foundation degree does not req A-levels but i will ring and check, im jsut worried that i would not get the same degree...at the end with foundation degree>?

Ant

[samoan]

Hey,

Just to add my little bit. Think lot of your original question was answered but just in case.

Basically I am currently studying to be an ambulance technician in the South West. I was offered the training position after passing all the recruitment stages in Nov 05 (it took ages!). As mentioned before there are a few ways to get into the paramedic role: through the PTS, joining directly as a direct entry trainee tech (DETT) (only needed 5 GCSE's + C1 driving licience, I had to pay!) or the new paramedic degree's. The services are in a bit of flux at the moment as there have been some significant mergers with other counties e.g.my service has recently joined with Dorset, becoming the South Western Ambulance Trust. Because of this and the anticipated increasing number of trainee degree paramedics the tech position is probably going to become obsolete with front line para/tech crews being replaced with a trainee para/mentor para and an emergency care assistant (ECA). These ECA's will have less clinical skills than the exsisting tech, essentially being a emergency driver for the para team! Applications for the trainee para role would be through the usual UCAS route. Its all a little vague at the mo, but I know of at least one other trust that is going the same route.

All a little confusing and I don't want to waffle too much, so basically if you want ask me any questions on recruitment, jobs etc please send me a PM and I'll try and find the answer.

Its a wicked career so far and appears to have increasing appeal with the development of the ECP and consultant paramedic roles.

Cheers, Sam.....

[Misscarlahollings]

Hi there, I was just reading some of the posted blogs on this site and wondered if someone could answer some questions for me!

I am really looking into becoming a paramedic. I am 22 in June and have been working as a health care assistant on Trauma and Orthopaedics (mainly orthopaedics) at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester. I love the work of the ward however I get more excited dealing with trauma patients than general elective surgery and have learnt alot over the past year and am trying to decide whether to do a degree for nursing or degree for paramedic. I feel that i would be more suited to the emergency side of things rather than the care after just due to the overall stress of the working ward and lack of staff issues.

Anyway...what i would really like to know is...

a) what is the best route to go to become a paramedic? there is a 2 year paramedic science course commencing at a university near me which i have thought of applying to..or is it better to do the care assistant and emergency care assistant route?
I have overheard rumours that technicians will shortly be no more?

b) I am slightly concerned that this would be a huge challenge for me and the thought of dealing with life or death experiences is rather scary and i have never been a member of St Johns Ambulance but did a lifesavers course a long time ago although this is out of date(but i do work in a hospital and have done all mandatory training for emergencies..but sometimes wonder if i would be competent enough to become a paramedic..but isn't that what all the training is for?

c) I am hopefully organising to go out as an observer with the dorset ambulance crew to see what it's like...but I want to try and gain as much experience as i can so would like to find a way of doing some work experience on all sides of the ambulance trust...as a ambulance care assistant for a couple of days etc...but have no idea of how to organise this and have looked on lots of websites but none have been of much luck..would phoning human resources help for information?

I understand that you require a C1 driving license and am currently saving to be able to do the course seeing as i do not have near on £1000! But already have all the information on where and how to do it.

Last but not least (sorry about this)

I have the opportunity to do cannulation with my trust...would this be of any advantage to me or should i just wait to do this at universtiy if this is the route i should take?

I really hope that you can help me! So i have some idea of getting somewhere!

Thanks ever so much!

[Medic2013]

a) what is the best route to go to become a paramedic? there is a 2 year paramedic science course commencing at a university near me which i have thought of applying to..or is it better to do the care assistant and emergency care assistant route?
I have overheard rumours that technicians will shortly be no more?

the general trend is towards the uni route, so I would go for it. there is a problem with NHS recruitment afterwards, but things should not deter you in the slightest as you can work as a private medic in the rare case you are without work. HOWEVER, the EMT route provides a hell of a lot more experience which many people find enjoyable and fun!

with that rumour, there is truth in it, but alas I cannot advise you further...

however, pls visit the top-rated EMT blog by Tom Reynolds: http://randomreality.blogware.com/bl...1/1334202.html


b) I am slightly concerned that this would be a huge challenge for me and the thought of dealing with life or death experiences is rather scary and i have never been a member of St Johns Ambulance but did a lifesavers course a long time ago although this is out of date(but i do work in a hospital and have done all mandatory training for emergencies..but sometimes wonder if i would be competent enough to become a paramedic..but isn't that what all the training is for?

hmmm-background is extremely good. I found that my SJA experience is amazing in developing my comms skills, and for real life emergencies. The experience of working alongside drs, nurses, parameds/emts as well as students on large events life today's flora london marathon only adds to your personal development.

yeah you are right in that the training preps you, but every little helps! plus the voluntary work helps you decide whether you are really upto it or not.

c) I am hopefully organising to go out as an observer with the dorset ambulance crew to see what it's like...but I want to try and gain as much experience as i can so would like to find a way of doing some work experience on all sides of the ambulance trust...as a ambulance care assistant for a couple of days etc...but have no idea of how to organise this and have looked on lots of websites but none have been of much luck..would phoning human resources help for information?


join st johns, and with a bit of luck, you may be able to arrange experience as a third hand (completely dependant on your units policy). you could also try the BRC etc.

I understand that you require a C1 driving license and am currently saving to be able to do the course seeing as i do not have near on £1000! But already have all the information on where and how to do it.

good to hear!

Last but not least (sorry about this)

I have the opportunity to do cannulation with my trust...would this be of any advantage to me or should i just wait to do this at universtiy if this is the route i should take?

it all helps, but from your wording, it seems there are some side-effects/consequences of following the cannulation route (or am i just reading too far into things? )

I wish you the very best of luck!

[blueberrypie]

Hi there,

I applied to become an ambulance technician with the london ambulance service before. I filled out an application form, then they invited me for a test. After I completed the test, I had a practical. This involved being in a group, and being shown how to assemble an entenox cylinder. We then had to do the same from being shown once and there are quite a few bits to it! We then had to carry a seven stone dummy on a carry chair up a flight of stairs and back down again.

After this was a medical and a driving test. I unfortunately had never driven anything this big before, and should had tried one out previously. The instructor told me he thought I wasn't confident enough - although not dangerous, but told me I could resit my driving test in a few months.

I didn't bother going back, because I decided that I had other things I would like to persue. I always wanted hands on work, but decided to go for the total hands on experience.

They explained about the shifts, etc. You basically train for six weeks to become an ambulance technician, then after two years you can train to become a qualified paramedic.

I hope this is of help to you. Who provides the majority of ambulances around your way? Maybe they will be able to help you.

[blueberrypie]

Oh, and I forgot. If you are a technician you will automatically have your driving test paid for. So you could save money.

[Gizmo says -]

well u need a fair academic ability lol.

u are gonna need some A lvls or equivalent to study any degree, and the vast memory work involved in medicine means you need some basic competency in acheiving that, macca.

[Misscarlahollings]

well u need a fair academic ability lol.

u are gonna need some A lvls or equivalent to study any degree, and the vast memory work involved in medicine means you need some basic competency in acheiving that, macca.

Hey thanks for everything guys and all the information. I have a good sound academic base..all my GCSE's A-C and Equivalent of three B grades at A level in Sport and Exercise Science which is completely science and biology based.

So hopefully i'll be ok! Cheers!

[Misscarlahollings]

Hey...let me see if i can help you out..i have done soooo much research and it's really hard to get info about it! Everyone on here have been a great help mind! I have just found out that Ambulance Technicians are no more! You used to be able to apply to the Ambulance Trust..carry out some exams like literacy, numeracy, fitness with interview and then if you pass those they send you off to train for so many weeks and then hey presto..foot in the door. This is no longer an option as they have scrapped this. There are now such things as Ambulance Care Assistants and Emergency Care Assistants (much like the technician). I believe after much research that you can infact become a Patient Transport person (ACA) for a year or so and then progress up to an (ECA) but there is no longer any route to becomming a Paramedic after that other than going to university. The best thing you could do is to become a Ambulance Care Assistant and go from there earning money and experience at the same time. However, and this is what I am waiting to hear back about...you do need a C1 drivers license. I have been thinking about this route purely because my enthusiasm and hearts in the right place but i have no real first aid experience apart from on the ward, but I cannot afford such money to do it as it costs between £600-£1000. I think you are right about being 21 to be able to do a C1 exam unfortunately.

The only thing I can say about working in a hospital is that it has confirmed to me that i want to be in the medical profession and no longer as a nurse but as something more exciting. You are only 20 and 21 is not long away, you could work as a nursing assistant in a hospital to earn you some money and get your foot in the door until you are old enough to take your c1 and be able to save up at the same time (which is hard i Kno)!. Many males are Nursing Assistants and you could even possibly become one in A&E which although is a completely different ball game you can have a wider knowledge of trauma and accidents.

Really hope this helps! Let me know how your getting on and if there's anything else i can help you with!

Carla

Hey, well ive always wanted to become a paramedic. The last year i have not really done alot about it. So ive finally decided to act, im 20, have a clean driving license and live in cardiff.
Im looking to join as an ambulance technician, but am having a serious problem finding a route in. Have looked at some of the hospitals around cardiff and they just dont seem to be recruiting.
I had to camm paramedics out a few weeks ago for a friend, and i was speaking to them about it, they advised Uni isnt a must, You just need to pass the entrants exam for paramedic. But i cant even find a route in as a technician. Ive always wanted to become a paramedic as i love working with people, and im not just going to give up, far to much ambition to do that.
Just wondered if you could give me any advice on what job i could get in a hospital to then work my way up to technician level, or if you could advise me on how to enter as a technician.
Also about the D1 an C1 licenses, thing is 1 of them you cannot get until your 21 and im guessing you need them to be a technician yet the entry age for technician is 18... can you clarify that for me please.
Any advice would be much appreciated. As becoming a paramedic is what i desire.
Thanks and merry xmas

Anthony

[Gizmo says -]

goo luck macca.


i got rejected an ambulance tech job back in me day hehe!

ay, i guess you need more extra for the job compared to getting into med skool.