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Paramedic apprenticeships

Paramedics > Paramedic

Emergency and uniform services | Healthcare

Paramedic apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this work through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • directly apply for
  • a trainee scheme


    • University

    You'll need to do a paramedic science degree approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. Full-time courses usually take 3 years. You'll usually need 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent.

     

    Apprenticeship
    You can get into this role through a paramedic degree apprenticeship. There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A-Levels, or equivalent. 

    Work
    You could start as an ambulance care assistant. With experience, you could apply for a place on a paramedic training scheme.

    Volunteering

    Entry to paramedic courses is very competitive and it may help you if you have some relevant experience or training. Examples include:

    • volunteering as a first responder with a charity or social enterprise, like St John Ambulance
    • volunteering with an NHS ambulance trust 
    • working at a residential care home or daycare centre a first aid certificate 
    • working in an office-based job for an ambulance service
    Other Routes
    You could apply for a training scheme as a student paramedic with an ambulance service. You would do your university paramedic qualification on the job.

    Professional and industry bodies
    You can join the College of Paramedics and get access to courses, conferences and workshops to keep your skills up to date, and to swap ideas with colleagues in the profession.

    Paramedic apprenticeships - what it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need: 

    • knowledge of healthcare and medicine 
    • sensitivity and understanding 
    • customer service skills 
    • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    • excellent verbal communication skills 
    • knowledge of public safety and security 
    • to be flexible and open to change 
    • the ability to work well with others
    • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
    Restrictions and Requirements
    You'll need to:

    • pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults
    • pass a medical check 
    Many ambulance services will expect you to have a full driving licence by the time you finish your training and preferably a C1 driving licence that allows you to drive medium-sized vehicles.

    Paramedic apprenticeships - what you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    In this role you'll: 

    • respond to emergency calls 
    • assess situations when you arrive and check details with others at the scene, like the police 
    • work calmly and quickly to stabilise patients 
    • use a defibrillator to revive patients 
    • give patients medicines and injections 
    • help to deliver babies 
    • attend non-emergency calls and decide whether patients need to go to hospital 
    • check equipment regularly and keep accurate records 
    • reassure family and members of the public who are on the scene
    Working environment
    You could work on an ambulance, at a client's home or in the community. Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and outdoors some of the time. You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.

    Career path and progression - Paramedic apprenticeships

    With around 3 years' experience, you could become: a team leader a specialist paramedic an emergency care practitioner You could also move into operations management, education and training or research, or train to work in other areas of healthcare, for example nursing.

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    Considering an Apprenticeship?

    There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

    • Paid Training
      Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
    • Range of career opportunities
      There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
    • Earn & learn
      As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
    • Great career prospects
      Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
    • Learn on the job
      There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

    Start searching for Apprenticeships Near You

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