Anyone a Paramedic?

[andyb]

Hi guys,

Haven't been on here for ages (not that anyone would notice ;) ) but have been drawn back recently!

Anyway onto the main question....been thinking of a career change lately and been looking at becoming a Paramedic. Could anyone on here give me some advice on becoming one, drawbacks of the job etc etc?

Cheers,
Andy

[G]

I looked into this a year ago and got nowhere.

It seems to be quite difficult :(

I would love to do it, and also equally interested if anyone can direct me in the right direction.

Edit: By the way the main route is to become a student paramedic with your local ambulance trust but the jobs are few and far between and rarely come up. You can also become a technician but you cant really work your way up from there anymore as the system changed.

[Kilted Ginger]

If you are really keen, benbecula health dept are currently recruting with full training and relocation package

[chakraist]

Hey mate, I can't advise on the thread but welcome back!

[rictus01]

FYI , Krazykim (http://forums.sv650.org/member.php?u=4936) Has/is going threw the process for joining presently and jinxy43 (http://forums.sv650.org/member.php?u=8093) I believe starts his training with London Ambulance Service in the new year.

Cheers Mark.

[Stig]

Micky, one of my staff, his girlfriend has just completed all the exams and has now started 'live on the job training'.

I'll ask him on Monday if he can get more details.

[sv-robo]

No.....but unfortunately i've needed one a few times:(

[andyb]

Cheers for the info guys. Unfortunately the girlfriend is at uni so can't relocate!

Will PM KrazyKim and Jinxy though so thanks Mark.

[G]

Depending on where you based at the moment Loan area of london is looking for a Student paramedic You will need to go onto NHS jobs to find it.

[Stig]

I have asked.

You apply via the NHS. You go for interviews and assessments. If you are selected, you will then go for a 10 week training course. For the first three weeks you learn the different parts of the body and the following 7 weeks on how to treat injuries to them. After this is a 3 week driving course.

You will then find yourself on placement in several different local hospitals as a relief driver learning how the job works and how different hospitals work. After a couple of months you will then be assigned to one particular hospital where you will be 'on job training' for the next couple of years. After you have completed this you will then be assigned a 'line'. Basically this means you are put on the rota 'which never changes' and that's you for your career as a ambulance medic. You will know exactly what you are doing on a particular day 5 years in the future.

[timwilky]

If you are really serious, I can give you the phone number of one of my mates who is a paramedic currently working fast response. He was also a trainer within his station and instructed at the GMAS school etc. He is also a biker and can give you loads of real job related information

He is a tad P'eed off that his bosses have now told him that he has to do a diploma course to qualify him for the job he has done for the past 10 years, and is asking that if they are serious about academic qualification as well as his vocational ones that they should fund the full degree for people like him, otherwise there will be a bunch of kids saying to the old timers we are more qualified than you etc.

Good thing is that after the agenda for change, paramedics stupid working hours (48) were now paid for, however the trusts did not get the gradings established that paramedics wanted. So still underpaid for the work they actually do.