To be eligible to join the ambulance service as a paramedic, you will have to either undertake and achieve a degree in paramedic science or join with an apprenticeship degree. Once qualified you can then apply for qualified paramedic roles with the ambulance service. An undergraduate paramedic science degree can be expected to be completed between 3 to 4 years and is available from a number of different universities. The entry requirements to be eligible to undertake a paramedic science degree requires you have a number of qualifications such as two to three A levels which must include a science and at least 5 GCSE’s. If you have equivalent qualifications such as a HND, BTEC or HNC including science or a related NVQ.

Some UK ambulance services do offer apprenticeships but you must have at least 5 GCSEs Grade C or above which must include Maths, English and Science. Once qualified you will also need a full driver’s license which includes manual and have been held for at least two years.

It is possible to apply directly to an ambulance service as a Student Paramedic. With this route you will then train as you work. This will be mixture of theory and practical placements with the ambulance service. The entry requirements for this route, will require you have five GCSEs which must include Maths, English and Science. You would also need a good level of fitness and hold a clean manual driving license. It is worth noting that student paramedic opportunities are scarcely available as the NHS trust will only recruit student once a year at the most. Some, every two years.

When you first qualify as a paramedic and have secured your first paramedic role you will be placed on a starting salary of £26,00 which is Band 5 of the NHS Trust pay-scale. There will be opportunities to increase your salary if you undertake further training in specialist areas such as trauma and critical care. The average annual salary for paramedics in the UK stands currently at around £27,000.

Qualifying as a paramedic can take between 2-4 years. There are a number of different routes you can take to qualify, but the courses themselves will all include a mixture of theory and practical placements within ambulance services and other healthcare environments. Each organisation will have different entry requirements so you will need to check in advance that you meet the entry requirements.

Paramedics will be called in emergency situations where there is danger to life or injury. They usually form part a 2-person crew which include an ambulance technician. They are responsible for assessing patients and if required providing any emergency treatment. Other typical duties can include:

• Driving emergency vehicles;
• Provide hospital personnel with information regarding the patient’s condition and what treatment they have administered;
• Dressing of injuries including lacerations, breaks etc;
• Respond to emergency calls;
• Making quick and accurate diagnosis of a patient’s condition;
• Administer medication pain relief as required by the patient;
• Competent in the use of specialist equipment such as ventilators and defibrillators.

You will be given the opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm for paramedic practice and would be likely to adopt a positive approach to work. The particular qualities that the assessors will be looking for include:

• Confidence
• Clear speech
• Positive demeanour
• The capacity to be an effective member of a team
• Good communication skills
• Enthusiasm
• Ability to get on with people
• A caring attitude
• A genuine liking for and understanding of caring for sick patients
• An ability to analyse questions and issues
• An ability to give clear, thoughtful answers to questions

You will be expected to have well thought out ideas on why you wish to enter a career in Practice. Previous experience of health care is not usually necessary but you should have a good understanding of the knowledge, concept and skills of the subject area and the capacity to articulate your understanding. If you have planned to gain experience after the interview you should let you interviewers know.

Success on a course depends on you being able to commit to academic and professional demands and for this reason you should be able to demonstrate clearly an understanding of the academic rigours of this course and how you will ensure assessment deadlines are met.

Interviewers will expect candidates to have a basic understanding of the theoretical experience that will be gained during this programme and how that might enable your practice experience.

You should also remember that an interview is a two way process and that you should treat the interview as an opportunity to ask the assessors questions. It is important that you make the right choice of programme.