Finding Work Experience

AndyAndyAndy

I'll try to keep this as short and to the point as I can.

I am looking to go to uni to study a paramedic science/practice but as it's a very specialised course with a narrow career choice upon completion I'd like to get some experience/shadow (unpaid)work or placement to see if it really is for me.

Does anyone have any ideas who to contact about this. I live in south central ambulance trust's region but don't know who to contact within that.

Any help appreciated.

Chocolate80

I've just been on the South Central Ambulance Service website and if you go to the Community Responder part of the website, there is a contact phone number. If I was you, I would give them a call and go from there.

Good luck!

AndyAndyAndy

Thanks, I will get in touch but don't hold out much hope as I don't want to be a CFR and you can't really shadow a CFR as they're not employed and are called out as volunteers when needed (a bit like mountain rescue).

To expand on my opening post if anyone who is a paramedic has any advice that'd be appreciated too

tanith

I used to work for London Ambulance and we often had people as third man/observer go out with our Ambulances it had to be ok'd by up above there usually wasn't a problem but I have a feeling things may not be so easy nowadays.. How about getting on to your Ambulance Trusts HR dept and ask if they have open days etc.. or if its possible to get more info and you can then explore further.... as you say the job is not for everyone and its a big commitment only to find its not for you... Do you have any first aid experience that might be a way to find out if you like the work with St.Johns or Red Cross... just an idea

AndyAndyAndy

Thanks for the idea about the open day, I've found an email address for HR and will get in touch about being an observer/ shadower even if I only sit at an ambulance station or on non-emergancy stuff. Anything I can get I'll take really.

Considered becoming a St. Johns cadet but I already volunteer as a Young Leader with scouts and don't want to stop because although the SJcadets might be more relevant volunteering for the course I enjoy the young leading.

tanith

St. Johns and the Red Cross run classes I don't think you have to become a cadet you can just enrol for the classes... the more First Aid you have the better it will stand you in good stead for the studying to come

AndyAndyAndy

If i remember correctly the classes do cost a couple of hundred pounds though!

I understand first aid will help me and have covered basic first aid quite thoroughly and repeatedly as a scout and at school. The StJ cadets initially appealed as specifically youth targeted with St.J having more potential to give me experience with paramedics.

AndyAndyAndy

Got a reply from South Central Ambulance Service's HR manger. No work experience until I'm associated with a university because of patient confidentiality and employers liability insurance =(

Which leaves me where I was before really.

tanith

Gee thats a shame... so you can't get any 'experience' till you know its what you want to do, and you can't decide if its what you want till your try it out........... doesn't make sense does it......... how about just catching a crew when they are on a break at your local A & E Dept and have a few questions ready to ask them? Our crews were always happy to talk about the job and how they came to it...

AndyAndyAndy

Yeah I had the misfortune of being able to talk to paramedic and air ambulance crews a couple of summers ago after being involved in an incident on helvellyn (I wasn't injured and those who were recovered fully) so threw some questions out although it wasn't high on the lisit of priorities at the time.

I do feel that without seeing what they really do first hand I won't know if it's for me. Thankyou for the input and support though.