A little Help with career in Abulance Service

diamondgirl007

Hi there,

Im back again!!! i recently posted about becoming a nurse and how I would go about doing this with the qualifications I have. i have also been looking into the Ambulance service. Does anyone know how you make a career from this? I can find loads of info on the actual jobs and further training that can be done and what the training leads to but i cannot find anything on how you go about starting this sort of work?

Many thanks everyone

dmg24

Where would you like to be in the ambulance service - control room/ technician/ paramedic/ other function?

diamondgirl007

Technician to start with a view to training up if the chance arose. I think I'd prefer that to sitting in the office

Person_one

To become a Paramedic, you will either have to do a two year diploma or apply to be a student paramedic depending on which trust. Where in the country are you? I don't think there's much chance of progression from technician to paramedic these days, although you would have an advantage when applying for the diploma/studentship due to experience.

Its unbelievably competitive, about 600-800 applications for around 20 places on most paramedic courses, and not far off that for technician jobs. You have to pass an interview and a fitness test for both. I've been watching NHS jobs in my area for the last 6 months and I have yet to see an ambulance technician post advertised.

I suggest ringing your local ambulance service and speaking to someone in recruitment for a bit of advice on how they do things.

view

Firstly... learn how to spell ambulance correctly so you don't write it wrongly on your application forms!

But seriously, I applaude anyone who would want to work in that industry. Person_one gave all the advice that I was going to impart.

All the best with your job search
GJ x

keithdc

Some Trusts no longer offer Technician Training- often entry is through being an Emergency Care Assistant (with potential for further training to Tech/ Para) or through completion of a University Paramedic course.

Morgan_Ree

I don't know how old you are but if you passed your driving test after 1997 you'll have to do a seperate test to add the C1 category to your license.

It's still possible to get offered an interview without this C1 part of your license but you must be at least working towards it (it specifically mentions that on my local ambulance trusts application)

Have you searched NHS jobs website? Most trusts, if not all list their vacancies on there rather than their own websites.