Paramedic

Website:  Become a Paramedic (collegeofparamedics.co.uk)

What do Paramedics do?

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 usually in emergency, primary or urgent care situations.

Paramedics are educated and trained to make decisions in complex and high-pressure situations in unfamiliar and often unpredictable environments. Paramedics are skilled at history taking, consultation skills and examination, judgement in diagnosis and management of a wide range of illness and injury from new-borns and babies to the elderly and those at the end of their life. Paramedics have expertise in dealing with critically ill and injured patients using complex equipment and a range of medications whilst getting the patient to the right hospital for their ongoing treatment.

Where do Paramedics work?

Within the Ambulance Services providing immediate and emergency care in response to 999 calls made by the public

• GP practices
• Minor injury units
• Urgent care centres
• hospital emergency departments
• Police custody suites.    

How to become a Paramedic?

Work experience

If you are interested in a career as a Paramedic and want to try some work experience you can contact your local NHS Trust, voluntary or private organisations and they may be able to facilitate experience for you.

University route

University courses to study to become a Paramedic are either:

• Undergraduate - takes around 3-4 years full time to complete depending on the university chosen
• Postgraduate- takes around 2 years full time to complete depending on the university chosen

You can find a full list of universities offering Paramedic courses here: Endorsed Courses (collegeofparamedics.co.uk)

Apprenticeship route

Some ambulance trusts offer the option of studying to become a paramedic while you work on the job.

You can be a student paramedic with an ambulance service and study while you work.

You can access a degree standard apprenticeship in paramedic sciences with an ambulance service. 

Each trust has their own entry requirements. You should contact your local ambulance trust to see if they offer a paramedic apprenticeship.

You can find out more about paramedic apprenticeships here: Become a Paramedic (collegeofparamedics.co.uk)

How to become a Paramedic Assistant/Support Worker?

Support workers who work with paramedics and ambulance teams are known as ambulance care assistants and emergency care assistants. You can find out more about these roles here Roles in the ambulance service | Health Careers