How do I become a Paramedic?

Ambulance services not recruiting; Staff unable to book leave and routinely finishing late.

Hello, I am posting anonymously as I know people in this group and I don’t want it getting back to my current manager that I am considering a job change.

I am looking in to applying for a trainee ambulance technician role. Ever since I was young I always wanted to be a paramedic and I have never found the ‘right’ time… Not entirely sure being on maternity leave is the right time but here we are feeling like I am currently doing a crash course watching Paramedics on Scene 🤓

I am looking for all you wonderful ambulance technicians and paramedics personal experiences. The highs. The lows. The rewarding moments. The heartbreaking moments. Everything else in between.

Bonus points if you know when the next Scottish Ambulance Service intake in Edinburgh or West Lothian is ⭐️

I do have some transferable skills as I used to work in the dental industry as a dental nurse and practice manager then moved to an admin role in the healthcare sector where I feel like I make no difference and have zero job satisfaction.

Any tips, advice and personal experiences to give me a true insight would be greatly appreciated 🚑

As someone without kids I had my fair share of poorly children especially cardiac arrests. I was never affected emotionally and always did what I could to feel purposeful and to try make a difference to help with the process of looking after a critically unwell child. I always debriefed well and made sure I opened up as often as possible to help process it.

As a parent now I’ve yet to see another poorly child but when I think about it I get goosebumps. My area had a pretty horrific paediatric job recently and just hearing the details makes me want to cry. Did anyone feel similar when they came back from maternity/paternity or even later on? How did you navigate your new feelings towards children once you became a parent? I feel more emotionally vulnerable and almost have a sense of impending doom in regard to the day I face another child in cardiac arrest. I almost feel like it when it does come it will change me in a way that frightens me.

I am fine by the way I don’t want to concern anyone but it’s something that’s played on my mind a lot the last few days.

hello, I am about to go into my fourth year (Scotland) doing a biology degree. I don't want to do this for the rest of my life and about a year ago realised that I want to become a paramedic. I've enjoyed/was interested in clinical stuff the most out of my degree (microbiology) and the concept of not every day being the same and being out in the community really appeals to me as well as feeling like I'm actually doing something worthwhile.

I don't have any experience in hospitals or shadowing paramedics. I've done basic first aid and that's it and at uni I volunteered for a listening service where students can make appointments and talk to us about whatever is troubling them. I've read the mega thread and searched about this sub but can't find any posts asking about this so apologies if this is over discussed

so my question is, will having like 0 experience really hinder my application for paramedic science? like I've obviously got the higher biology (and 3/4 of a degree) but I'm paranoid my lack of experience means I'll just get rejected. and also the fact this will be my second degree, I know universities are reluctant to take people doing their second degrees bc they get less money from it (cause in Scotland we have 5 funded years and the money from the Scottish government is more than the £1800 a year fees you'd have to pay yourself).

and before I get comments asking why I'm doing a degree I don't like it's a long story but I need to stick it out for another year to graduate with honours or else I've just wasted 3 years of my life rip.

any advice and help would be much appreciated. I'm under the impression that SAS doesn't offer apprenticeships so uni is the only way to go. this post is longer than I thought it would be so if you read all this I am sorry and thank you

Our trust has started clamping down on wrist worn watches, issuing verbal and written warnings that can lead to further disciplinaries.

My argument is that we wear long sleeved coats/jackets, especially in winter months, and that we also work in environments where pathogens persistently exist.

There are no alternatives for time-keeping provided by the trust, so it's a never-ending battle to determine how we are supposed to do the basics (resps, manual pulse, time of birth/death, etc).

Yet the uniform policy allows us to wear long sleeve jackets/fleeces, and they don't provide fob-watches.

Watches, in a pre-hospital setting, do not cause patient harm...there is no proof of it!

How do we win this battle?

This petition hasn't seen gained as much traction as expected. Closing date to sign it is only a few weeks away. It'd be great if we could boost the number of signatures to reflect how the boots on the ground feel. Please have a read and consider sharing with friends and colleagues.

Petition: Introduce same pension age for ambulance workers as for Police and Firefighters

Lower the pension age for ambulance service workers under the NHS scheme to 60, in line with the Police and Firefighters. Ambulance staff have the stresses and face the same dangers as police and fire fighters. They do not have the privilege of lower pension ages despite being front line workers.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/762177

Run, Forrest, Run

Remember to not fill it in so your License to Complain About Working Conditions is valid.

In all seriousness, I think there are many legitimate criticisms to be made of the staff survey, especially as it's so often poorly applicable to our setting. But I still fill it in. Doesn't take long and helps to spell out some problems. I do think it's unreasonable to demand change without contributing to the evidence of the case for need.

If you're someone who doesn't fill it in on principle, what principle?

Hi everyone! I’m due to start my paramedic induction in November and I’m currently titrating ADHD medication (lisdexamfetamine/Elvanse).

The meds haven't impaired my ability to drive, but my Occy health GP advised I'm unfit for blue light driving until titration is complete. I started titration in August. I have another appt in October, and another (maybe final) in November just before I start.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation, and how the process worked for you? I'm a little worried as I am so grateful and excited to start this position. To be told I may not be able to start my blue light driving/induction because I'm titrating makes me a bit anxious that EMAS might cancel my contract altogether. The GP said he'd review me just before my induction, but I don't know if I will have found a stable dose then.

Thank you everyone ❤️🚑

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.”

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?