Student Paramedic Jobs

Are you interested in student paramedic jobs? This is an ideal way to get your career as a paramedic started. Read on to find out more.

What is a Paramedic?

Paramedics are registered healthcare professionals. They have a unique role which spans a range of services including healthcare, public health, social care and public safety. Most paramedics typically work for an ambulance service. That being said, there are increasingly more roles in multiple settings such as general practice, urgent care, walk-in centres and A&E departments, and in remote and offshore sectors. This provides greater job flexibility and career options.

When working for an ambulance service, paramedics are usually the first to arrive when a patient needs help, hence the name ‘first responder’. They are highly trained and must be capable of making life-saving decisions under pressure. Working in a variety of environments from house calls to traffic accidents, it’s a fast-paced role which is not for the faint-hearted. Nevertheless, it can be one of the most rewarding careers for those who choose to go down this career path.

How to Become a Paramedic

In order to become a paramedic, it’s necessary to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Before you can register, you first need to successfully complete an approved qualification in paramedic science.

There are a couple of different routes you can take to study and qualify as a paramedic:

Full-Time Study

A degree in paramedic science will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a registered paramedic. It’s a full-time, 3- or 4-year degree which includes a mixture of theory and practical work including placements with the ambulance services.

Entry Requirements

• If you’ve done A levels, the majority of universities and colleges ask for BBC, although it ranges from BCC to ABB.
• For Scottish Highers it ranges from BBBC to AABBB, BBBC being the most commonly requested.
• If you don’t have A levels, certain Level 3/Level 6 qualifications may be accepted as an alternative. Check with the admissions department of your chosen university or college.

Once you’ve successfully completed your degree, you can apply directly to an ambulance service for a job as a qualified paramedic.

For a full list of currently approved universities offering paramedic science degrees, check out the HCPC website.

Student Paramedic

Student paramedics apply to an ambulance service, for example, the West Midlands Ambulance Service, and study while they work. This is usually done through the NHS Jobs website. These apprenticeship programmes lead you to registration with the HCPC as well as a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship qualification.

Student paramedic programmes also take between 3 and 4 years and are full-time. The difference is that you’ll receive a salary throughout the programme.

Entry Requirements

• At least five GCSEs, grade 4/C or above, including English language, maths and science
• Some ambulance services will also require an A level qualification

You’ll also be required to have a good level of fitness (which will be tested) and at least 2 years of driving experience with a full licence. It’s also necessary to have applied for your provisional Category C licence which allows you to drive larger vehicles like an ambulance.

Funding for Student Paramedics

As paramedics mostly work under the NHS jobs umbrella, the good news is that there are numerous funding options available for all types of backgrounds. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive at least £5,000 per year to help fund your studies while at university. This will help reduce your university costs. Depending on your circumstances, you could receive more than that. The even better news is that you do not have to pay this money back.

Pay and Benefits for Student Paramedic Jobs

As you can imagine, paramedics work irregular hours. You can expect to work around 37.5 hours per week on a shift pattern. This will include mornings, nights, weekends, bank holidays, and holidays. Nevertheless, you are entitled to 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, and you’ll have access to a generous pension scheme and health service discounts.

As with all NHS jobs, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting at band 5 with progression to band 6 after two years.

Finding Student Paramedic Jobs

Once you’ve completed your training, you’re ready to go out into the world and help others in their time of need. Take a look at our student jobs board for the latest jobs for student paramedics. Developing a Student is packed with help and advice for students including information on qualifications, apprenticeships and lots, lots more.

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