Paramedic Science 2017 Thread

Hi! I am pretty sure I am going to apply for the Paramedic science degree course for the 2017 intake. I wondered who else was thinking about this?

Anyone applying who is a little older? I would be 22 by the start date.
What experience do people have?

Good luck to everyone!

Hello i'm currently 22 thinking of going into paramedic science
Coventry University has a paramedic science foundation course, what other course/degree would a person need to do before he can become a fully qualified paramedic? and how long is the course?

Hey, whats your opinion on those over 19 with experience as HCA's and CFR's applying at the same time as those of 17 with obviously limited experience. Does it usually put them ahead in terms of an application or do uni's appreciate the lack of experience. 17 in London applying for 2017 with hopes of SGUL as a firm.

Hey there. Im a 19 year old with experience with SJA and as a CFR + have C1. From my anecdotal experience, it would seem universities looked favourably upon me for all my experience. I got three offers when I know many people younger who failed to get any offers at all.

I would suggest getting a job as a Lifeguard or similar (to show a caring role) and then move into a role in SJA or with an ambo service as a CFR. I cannot recommend being a CFR enough. The experience is second to none. I regulrlary spend 30-45 mins on scene just me and the patient. This really allows you to hone your people skills as well as your clinical skills. You ARE going to get the big things (my first call was a cardiac arrest).

Good Luck mate !

Any questions feel free to ask

N

Thanks for the reply and congrats on the offers, where are they from? Do you think the procedure of turning away those direct from sixth form is fair due to naturally having less opportunities for experience?

I want to go into Paramedic Science but starting college in September so I'm still quite far behind you guys.

You'll get there eventually....Join the College of Paramedics as an associate member, gives you access rot loads of good resources.

Has anyone read any books to include on their personal statements. For example a Richard Dawkins book for an A2 Bio student. Also what work experience have you done (aimed more at Year 12 and 13)

Hey! I am hoping to apply for a Paramedic Science course in 2017... I am going to be studying an Access to HE in Health, starting in September. I am 21 so I will be 22 by the start date too!

I am currently working as a Care and Support Worker and I have applied to be a Community First Responder in my area. Do you have any experience and what are you studying/have studied?

Hiya, I'm in quite a similar situation to you. I just finished up my Access to HE (Health Professions). Unfortunately by the time I'd sent my application I didn't have much experience so I got rejected for 2016 entry but I should be more than set for 2017 and will also be 22 by then.

By the time I started all my training, DBS, mindless bureaucratic waiting, etc. it was too late for me to use anything for my application but by next year I'll have been a CFR, an HCA and a SJA volunteer for about a year and a half - ample experience, I should think.

Another thing I'd recommend is to try and get yourself on as many third mannings as you can. Responding is good, but there's nothing like doing a 12 hour shift with the crew and going to jobs that you wouldn't have been despatched to as a responder. Of course, it's also a great experience to learn from the crew.

As Nickko said, JRCALC, Nancy Caroline's and other reading will be a good help. A good A&P book like Ross and Wilson is also vital. If you can, try to attend any relevant pre-hospital conferences that you can. Displaying knowledge of a reflective model and demonstrating usage is sure to impress and is useful for CPD.

Lastly, as Nickko also previously mentioned in answer to another comment, although you could gain registration as a paramedic with a DipHe or a FdSc this would be a poor decision in the long-term as you'd find yourself barred from progressing on to more advanced roles such as being a specialist paramedic (ECP) or a critical care paramedic. Even for these, you wouldn't go amiss with a Master's.

How would only having a DipHe hinder you in your progression, I don't see why the college of paramedics would prefer a degree over a diploma, granted it is one year less of training but all the core modules are still taught and it would mean I could go and gain more experience if needs be.

How would only having a DipHe hinder you in your progression, I don't see why the college of paramedics would prefer a degree over a diploma, granted it is one year less of training but all the core modules are still taught and it would mean I could go and gain more experience if needs be.

As the other user has stated, Ive attached the CoP career framework in relation to academic qualifications. Recently they released a statement saying that they are looking for it to be BSc (Hons) entry only by 2019.