NSIM

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A paramedic is usually the senior member of a two-person ambulance crew, supported by an emergency care assistant or technician. A paramedic is typically one of the first healthcare professionals to arrive at the scene of an emergency.

Typical duties of the job include:

• driving and staffing ambulances and other emergency vehicles

• responding to emergency 999 calls

• assessing patients, providing emergency treatment and making diagnoses

• monitoring and administering medication, pain relief and intravenous infusions

• dressing wounds/injuries

• using specialist equipment including ventilators and defibrillators

• transporting patients to hospital and continuing to provide treatment while in transit

• providing hospital staff with patient information including condition and treatment

• helping provide patient care in hospitals and other medical facilities

• communicating effectively with patients and their relatives/friends

• teaching and training members of the public to use first aid techniques correctly

24-hour shift work (including weekends) is usually a standard requirement of the job.

Qualifications and training required

There are different routes to qualifying as a paramedic. You can take a job as a student paramedic and study while you work. Alternatively, you can take an approved qualification in paramedic science and then apply to ambulance services. Ambulance trusts set their own criteria for student paramedic programmes, and entry is likely to be competitive. Another possible route is to apply for a degree apprenticeship in paramedic science. You can search for degree apprenticeship positions on the NHS jobs website, or use the government's apprenticeship search page.

Key skills for paramedics

• A caring and outgoing personality

• Good communication skills

• The ability to make swift decisions and stay calm

• A good level of physical fitness

• Good navigational skills and driving skills

• Resilience

• Stamina

Typical employers of paramedics

The NHS employs most paramedics, although there are also some vacancies with other organisations, including charities .