Options for working as a paramedic

R

RobertL

Longterm Registered User
Hi there everyone,

Been reading the forum for a while, and it's a great source of information, so thanks to you all.

Anyway, I have a question for you if you have time. I am ex-Parachute Regiment (only served 4 years and have been out since 1994, so missed all the recent operations) and have had a variety of jobs since then. I'm now about to start on a university paramedic course.

What are the options for work as a HPC registered paramedic outside the NHS? Ideally I would like contract (maybe overseas) work - a month here and there... Do you think I would need to work in the NHS for experience after I finish the course, or would the course itself stand alone as enough and I could just gain more along the way when I work? (We do spend a fairly large amount of time in A&E and on the ambulances).

If I completed a PSD course too would that give me possibilities to work as a team medic, or is my military service to far in the past (I'll be 39 (although still fit!) when I finish the course) to be of use? What about work as an offshore medic? I know the offshore course is really open to ex-military medics and experienced civilian nurses but I have heard of paramedics getting on too. What about other options? Is there any mileage in disaster relief work as a paramedic?

All opinions welcomed.

Thanks for your time.

R
 
Hi Rob,

I'm currently working as an NHS Paramedic and have been in the Ambulance service for 6 years.

Firstly, congratulations on gaining a place on the Paramedic course. I appreciate there must have been some fierce competition for places.

As this is a relatively new way of gaining the Paramedic qualification it would be difficult to comment on what potential employers will prefer, however, I would suspect that they may prefer you to have a bit of a post qualification track record.

I appreciate that you will do a fair amount of time on your clinical placements on the Ambulances and in A&E but I'm sure you would agree that time served gaining experience will be worth more ultimately. Knowledge is only half the package.

A few of the companies that I've contacted for employment specified that they wanted 2 years post qualification experience as a Paramedic for the vacancies they had.

If you can get a good quality CP/PSD qual under your belt then effectively you have more skills to sell yourself to a future employer. I'm not saying that you will get more money but for example, if you were an employer and you had two medics going for the same spot but one happened to have a CP qual, who would you choose? (dependent on theatre of work and past experience of applicants of course) The other thing to consider is how much of a "word of mouth" industry it is, so get out there and network. This site is a great start.

With regards to the off shore medic side of things, I'm afraid that I have no experience, sorry. I'm sure one of the other medics will be able to help you though.

Good to hear from you and good luck with the course.

Regards,
Paul.
 
Hi Rob,

First off, what Para Reg were you in?

Post qualification:
The minimum I've heard of people being taken is 6 months in A&E or 1 year Paramedic, 2 years is the ideal. If you can get a reference letter from a Trauma Dr that goes a long way.

CPO:
A CPO/ PSD course is also a good addition, even if you were green at one time in the past. I would look at a BATLS course as well, things are a little different as you plug a chest drain in early and you won't be working to the 10 minute rule like you do as a paramedic.

Remote Medic:
This is a little different and there is no one qualification which is recognised. ie the Dutch one is recognised by the UK, Norway & Denmark. The Norsk one is recognised by the UK but not the Danes. Its a bit of a mess really. They pretty much all cover the same subjects but its just the control that is different. Really, the UK one is best as a lot of the recruiters are UK based. You'll need your sea survival & heli cert but after that you should be ok. Same rules apply for time in A&E as CPO work. YOu can get worldwide work though.

Other misc work:
Flight Medic: If you can get a flight a medic course and work under your belt, then that opens up a lot more work in the Middle East and Africa etc. Also a few in the UK. Again, there is no one qualification that is recognised internationally. Best are the military 6 weeks course (TA at RAF Lyneham/ 144 Para Medic Squadron) or joining the local Air Rescue Team (but that is really hard to get in on).

Other: This is good work if you get on the right trip. Though I would treat it as a holiday, you won't get paid a lot but its a good chance to travel and mix with other people. You could be on a filming gig or charity gig, type in Remote Medic into Google and start the search. There is also Rapid Response teams with people like Merlin, great gig if you can get it. 48 hours notice and straight on a plane to a disaster zone.


Get you uni course done. Maybe do the TA flight course (6 weeks) as it could give you a better chance of getting on the civi heli team. I have heard a rumour that if you do the army paramedic course you can be cleared within the year.

Hang in there and keep reading.
 
Hi guys,

Thanks very much for your replies, that's lots to be thinking of. For the moment I'll just get on with working hard on the course and passing, but will keep looking into all of this on the side.

Thanks again, R
 
You mentioned you are 39 y/o...Don't let your age hold you back.
I am MUCH older than you and have no problems finding Medic work overseas. You are as young as you feel!
 
Robert, HI, I'm an NHS State reg Paramedic, and I start my Offshore Medics Course in October, so it is open to Paramedics, oh and i'm 42!
Good luck to you mate, and keep going.
 
Hi there Micky,

Thanks for that, I was hoping to go in that direction but all the info I've read says it's only open to nurses and ex-military medics, so it's great to hear that they've let you do it. What company are you doing it with?

And, if you don't mind me asking, what's your background and how much post qualification experience have you got? Anyway, thanks very much for that. It's good to hear for people that are going in the direction that I'd like to.

Cheers, R
 
Interdive in Plymouth allow paramedics to attend their offshore course, not a great course but gets you the ticket

google atacc too, great course

Taff
 
Nottingham University Hospitals, Clinical Skills Centre, includes your ALS and PHTLS amongst other things. Paramedic for 14 years now, Aircrew and ex army but thats way back. Interdive were happy to train me but Nottingham is much nearer home.
 
Hi,

Thanks for all the info again guys, I'll for sure go down that route when I finish my course and gather enough experience.

Take care, R
 
Hi RobertL,
I am a State registered paramedic for the Scottish ambulance, I am considering doing my offshore ticket with medics uk, based in stokesley, i have contacted a few agencies including interdive who requested a letter from an employer before allowing me to do the course, for offshore work the training agencies go by the UKOOA regulations.Nottingham NHS Trust also run an excellent course. a useful forum is the www.rigmedics.co.uk. as they have a forum which has jobs and advice for the offshore route. i am looking at the remote medic as well, after 12yrs of the NHS is enough and it is time for a new challenge.

Good luck for the future

gdeas
 
Hello all, I am a Hcpc reg Paramedic, had my registration for 5 years and was a Tech for another 5 before. Ex Green Jacket. I am currently out in Baghdad. I have worked for several private Ambulance companies across the UK between jobs and never was i asked if i had been in any trust? It all depends on the individual and in truth the Ambulance service across the UK is so short i think they would give any para the chance to jump on there books esp as you would have had to do placements and hrs before qualifying any way. Good luck with your course, good man
 
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