Step Into The NHS :: Paramedic

A day as a paramedic

Today you're on the Saturday evening shift, and arrive at your local hospital at 6pm.

Within minutes, your ambulance is called to the centre of town, where two cars have collided, and a passenger has suffered a head injury. You quickly establish the injured passenger's condition isn't life threatening and, with the help of your ambulance technician, treat the head injury at the scene.

After police and fire services arrive, you're called to the home of an elderly woman who is suspected to have had a stroke. You carry out preliminary assessment and treatment, then take her to hospital where she can be treated. Every day is varied and fast-paced, and although the work is tiring it is very rewarding.

What's next after A level and beyond?

There are three ways to become a paramedic. You could take a full-time approved degree in paramedic science/practice at university. Alternatively, you could apply for a post with an ambulance service trust as a student paramedic or apply for a more junior role and then work your way up to doing a degree apprenticeship in paramedic science (which some ambulance service trusts run) and study part-time while you're working.

For the full-time university route, you'll usually need at least 2 A levels (or equivalent level 3 qualifications), depending on the course. For the student paramedic route, good GCSE grades may be sufficient, and so you may not need A levels.

However, whichever route you choose, you must check with the university or ambulance service trust to find out what their requirements are, as they set their own.