Really random question - Ambulance work?
 

Hi guys,

Ergh, cough, splutter, choke...sorry just wading through the 'thick' air here in London. Not good...BUT having just got back from this journeytotheequator.com - Home I am mustard keen to get into a job and a slightly settled life - for the moment, until a new trip arises :)

I realise this is really specific but I am struggling to find out (on the net anyways) if there is a way to get 'sponsored' training to become an ambulance technician and therefore work for said coming that provided the sponsorship.

Have come to see that most companies, like the LSA (London Ambulance Service) seem to only hire University trained persons or equivalent.

Is there scope to go straight onto a training course at the technician level and thus work forward from there?

Again realise there arent likely to be many guys who do this on here...but everyone always seems to help on here so much :)
suppose its slightly relevant, being medical training and all...
ANYWAY
thanks
mike

Ambulance work
 

Hi

The old style training involved joining the ambulance service as a technician with on the job training and the oppotunity to progress to Paramedic level. Recently the ambulance service had a whole new grading system introduced and a new degree course to become a technician/paramedic.

Your best bet would be to actually call the London Ambulance service and find out if you can join without the university study - I'm sure that people still can.

Becky

Hello Mike,

Although I now live in Colombia, (most of the time), I worked for the LAS for 10 years. I am still a state-registered Paramedic and I have a "bank" contract with them. That means if I have the time and inclination, and they have the overtime available, I can book shifts service-wide. I return to the UK for 2 to 3 months each year in order keep up my on-the-road experience and to retrain. Next jaunt - August.

The LAS did close it's books to direct entrants, (trainee EMTs), but the last I heard they were going to start recruiting again. I will confirm that with the horse's mouth itself if you would like me to.

No sponsorship as such, apart from help with fees, but if you are accepted for one of the degree/foundation courses recognised by the LAS, (Hertfordshire and I think, Kings'),you will be entitled to a contract like mine, I think in the second year, and you will be paid commensurate with your grade. A lot of unpaid work/training at first I'm afraid, but so goes the world. It all changes from time to time, so I can't be accurate without a few phone-calls.

Do you want to address this here, or do you want to PM me?

hey stretcher,

thanks for the reply...ya so i managed to get hold of the LAS
and they basically said the same thing as you did...
its either the 3 year course at uni

OR

You can apply directly to the London Ambulance Service (www.londonambulance.nhs.uk) and you would need to work as a Student Paramedic for at least 3 years before you could apply for a Paramedic position. Full training will be given and no medical experience is necessary, but any medical experience you do have will only help your application, criteria:

• Have a stable employment and education record.
• Be able to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds.
• Be physically fit with good eyesight.
• Have held a full, manual British driving licence (with no more than 3 points) with 2 years worth of driving experience.
• Be familiar with and preferably resident in the area of London in which you will be working.
• Have no previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol

so i think if I do go for it then i'll do the latter option...
there is just the slight problem for me, well actually big problem of not having a drivers licence :(
so i think i'll get onto that first, but its difficult when there is no need to drive in london or have any need to learn when the public transport is so good...
dilemma hay?
with the London Fire Brigade, they just require that you have a licence from what i can see, so think i'll get onto them when they are next recruiting, and in the meantime...learn to drive :)
just want to keep learning more medical/emergency services as i enjoy it/want to help so much...

thanks for your help mate

Blimey, is that what they are calling them now - "Student Paramedics"? I started out as a "Trainee Qualified Ambulance Technician". What a title! But forget these titles, it is much more common to be referred to as an "80%er", (reference the low wage), or a "Uni. Bod". I can't believe you even thought about joining the Ambo. Service when you haven't got a full driving licence - donut! ;) You are probably better off in the "Water Fairies" anyway.

Something happened this week to make this thread tragically relevant to us here, as bikers. Ron Pile, an LAS Paramedic, a bloke I never knew, but heard good things about, died as a result of an accident whilst on his motorcycle response training course. Apparently he had tried for years to get on the Motorcycle Response Unit:

RON PILE - Online Memorial

Taking slight advantage of this random post about paramedics (found from google!) I just wondered if anyone had any advice on how is best to practice ambulance driving? Im applying for the provisional C1 as a few places seem to require it before gettin a job/placement but dont really know how to train?! :confused1:

Also I dont mind the student paramedic way in or going through uni :smartass: - coventry do a 2 year course which apparently qualifies you but a previous post mentions only 2 unis are recognised by the LAS - is this accurate?

Thank you!!