[Phil90974]

abc

[PhoenixFortune]

(Original post by Phil90974)
Hi. I have been emailing universities/ambulance services about this who have contributed very little.

Basically, my right arm does not extent fully, there is about 135 degrees there. That is the only issue but a complex surgery it would be to resolve it I have been told. Would I be looked at by employers/admissions staff as a risk?

Thanks very much

You would have to be able to pass an occupational health check, which would depend on how much they think your problem would affect your ability to practice. If you want an answer, you would do better to ring the places directly, as emails can easily be forgotten.

[SammySnips]

I can only talk about the SECAMB test but this required touching your toes with both arms, which may be a problem.

[zippyRN]

is this going to affect your ability to undertake moving and handling ? possibly

is this going to affect your dexterity ? again possibly , without a proper Occ Health assessment including OT / ergonomics assessment it's impossible to tell.

[Happy_Holidays]

I would look at a few things. One would it affect your ability to gain C1 on your driving licence (required for NHS work). Also do you feel as though you would be able to partake in the full range of duties. Don't forget as a paramedic you will be expected to take part in CPR (both arms needed and unless fully extended unlikely to be effective and likely to be far more tiring). Plus being able to use carry chairs (full arm extension sometimes needed), carry people on scoops or boards (deffo needed here), using slide sheets/boards (reaching across a bed to another).

I don't mean to put a downer on it but without being able to straighten your arm fully you're probably going to be pretty stuffed.

[Happy_Holidays]

(Original post by Phil90974)
Thank you for your reply. I would just like to ask how this would possibly stop me from gaining the C1 category on my driving license? In everyday life, it gives me no problems whatsoever and I can carry out almost anything that I want to do. Additionally, I am not sure how not being able to fully straighten my arm would stop me from carrying a patient on a scoop; if you would care to elaborate more please?

I don't know if it would stop you getting your C1 just that it would be something to check as I know you need a further medical for it.

As for carrying scoops etc. usually this is done with all members of the team having their arms fully extended when they're actually moving with it.

[Jenx301]

(Original post by Phil90974)
Thank you for your advice, I have just been speaking to a paramedic in A+E (I volunteer there) who sits on the panel for interviews and fitness tests and he said I should go for it, so that is a plus.

fair enough if that is his opinion but why take the risk? Surely it is better to be sure by ringing up and asking the uni first rather than applying unnecessarily.