Any Ambulance Techs/Paramedics here?
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One of our friends is a paramedic with Lincolnshire ambulance service, he did his training in the RAMC as a Combat Medical Technician. Now he is doing a 'community' course so he can respond to out of hours GP calls. So it looks like it could be a good career move as there seem to be more prospects for advancement than there used to be.
The only thing is the pay is ****, I think he only gets about £18K.
I also seem to remember him saying that you had to be over 21 and have a clean driving licence. You also have to be an Ambulance Technician for a year before you can start paramedic training. Apparently several Universities offer a Degree course in Paramedic Science.
One of the best places to train used to be Staffordshire, under their Chief Executive Roger Thayne (If he is still there ?) He was also ex-RAMC Lt Col and used to be in charge of all medic training in the Army.
The only thing is the pay is ****, I think he only gets about £18K.
I also seem to remember him saying that you had to be over 21 and have a clean driving licence. You also have to be an Ambulance Technician for a year before you can start paramedic training. Apparently several Universities offer a Degree course in Paramedic Science.
One of the best places to train used to be Staffordshire, under their Chief Executive Roger Thayne (If he is still there ?) He was also ex-RAMC Lt Col and used to be in charge of all medic training in the Army.
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Hi Chris,
One of my friends and his wife are paramedics. In fact, he was training to be a paramedic when we house shared.
IIRC the course started with quite intensive studying and exams which several months. If passed, then it's onto on the job training in an ambulance with a trainer. They also go onto a driving course and get taught how to drive a ambulane quickly. I can't remember how long this all lasts, but at the end of the course they spend a couple of months at a hospital learning to give injections etc. which after they become fully qualified paramedics. By they way, while they are training they are on a reduced wage
Like Trev-R says the pay is crap. IIRC paramedic pay is roughly the same throughout the UK. So, if you life somewhere with a high cost of living it can be difficult. They are able to apply to the key workers mortgage scheme which means they can get 25% cost of the mortgage loan.
I think if your a not a money person and can put up with the shift work it' might be for your son. My friends seem to be very happy as paramedics and always have some good stories to tell.
HTH
Cheers
Mark
One of my friends and his wife are paramedics. In fact, he was training to be a paramedic when we house shared.
IIRC the course started with quite intensive studying and exams which several months. If passed, then it's onto on the job training in an ambulance with a trainer. They also go onto a driving course and get taught how to drive a ambulane quickly. I can't remember how long this all lasts, but at the end of the course they spend a couple of months at a hospital learning to give injections etc. which after they become fully qualified paramedics. By they way, while they are training they are on a reduced wage
Like Trev-R says the pay is crap. IIRC paramedic pay is roughly the same throughout the UK. So, if you life somewhere with a high cost of living it can be difficult. They are able to apply to the key workers mortgage scheme which means they can get 25% cost of the mortgage loan.
I think if your a not a money person and can put up with the shift work it' might be for your son. My friends seem to be very happy as paramedics and always have some good stories to tell.
HTH
Cheers
Mark
The NHS is going through a big change as to pay etc at the moment 'Agenda for Change' which is basically to make sure that all people around the country that do the same job are on the same pay rates - there are allowances made for the high cost of living areas and also allowances for the out of hours work.marky said:
At then end of the day, most of us who work for the Health Service don't do it for the money, it is the satisfaction that you are doing something to help others. I have worked for the NHS since 1998 and would not want to work anywhere else (ie for a Company etc).
More info can be found on the Department for Health website, also, most Health Trusts have their own websites specific to their local area.
Hope this helps
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