Paramedic Career Progression Opportunities

Hi,

I am going to study BSc Paramedic Science at St George's, University of London in September 2018.

I have recently researched careers beyond graduating and I find myself confused at the opportunities that may present themselves.

I notice that to progress there is a requirement to study a PGDip/PGCert or MSc degree. Are these offered whilst a paramedic is working for a trust or does a paramedic study independently and have to leave to study at university.

There is also lots of different terminology that people use and it is hard to pin point what exactly each role does.

For example, I see positions such as paramedic practitioner and critical care paramedic being offered at one trust, however another is advertising positions such as specialist paramedic and emergency care practitioner.

Will someone please explain this to me? I realise it may sound silly to you that understand this better than I do. Are they found situated in different environments (e.g. GP surgeries or ambulance trusts)?

I appreciate any insight into this- I would like to better understand the opportunities available to me beyond my degree and what opportunities I have as I gain more experience.

Thank you,

Tom :smile:

Reply 1

alleycat393

Original post by tom_k9

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This is not my area of expertise but I can't think of someone who can help. Hopefully you'll get more responses. It seems like in some cases it may be dependent on the trust and in some cases it is about the training. Usually the job descriptions will have levels of training and work experience and maybe specific qualifications. You will also find that NHS salaries are banded which may give you some indication of how high up the ranks they are. Finally maybe just google the roles?

Reply 2

Beanie08

Hey Tom, I am also going to study paramedics at St, Georges in 2018.. so see you there! Regarding your question I know St. Georges offer a masters degree and the a PHD, however I am unsure if you study whilst on job or not. I would think that you would work and study as being trained as a paramedic you are a necessity. Have a look online at the different bands of paramedics, it might help with the terminology issue? Im sure all will become very clear in September! Best of luckFrom Beanie!

Reply 3

ThomasJPaddock

Hi,Being a paramedic is a really exciting profession at the moment - there are more and more opportunities opening up in all sorts of settings. Not all non-ambulance roles will require study over your BSc - if you're wanting to work in an equivalent role to being an ambulance paramedic but within a different setting (for example practicing as a Paramedic in a prison, or offshore work, or events work, or disability assessments (to pick four random examples)), then it's a case of applying for the role and you're off.To practice at Specialist Paramedic level (so including roles like Paramedic Practitioners, ECPs, CCPs, Senior Lecturers etc), the expectation is that you'd have a PGDip or equivalent. The vast majority of Specialist Paramedic roles will include the education in them - you can't really do the university bit on its own, as it usually needs some placements running alongside the academic side. The funding arrangements can be complex; but they're usually funded by someone (Health Education England and your Employer being the most obvious ones).Advanced Paramedics (including roles like Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Advanced Paramedic Practitioners and London's APPs), would usually be educated to MSc Level. Again, this requires placement learning as well as the acaedemic side.If you're really going places, Consultant Paramedic roles (usually the most clinically senior paramedics in an ambulance service, or holders of professorships in Paramedicine etc) are indeed starting to require a PhD. PhDs are funded like most PhDs - you find someone to sponsor you and go ahead with the research at a university. To answer your question about practice locations, the Paramedic profession is widening day by day. You're right that the majority of Paramedics currently practice in Ambulance Services; it's where are profession was born, and it's our unique niche - in the same way that the majority of Nurses work on wards. Ambulance services traditionally offer lots of Paramedic roles, a few Specialist Paramedic roles in either Urgent Care or Critical Care, a very small number of Advanced Paramedic Roles, and then a tiny number of Consultant Paramedic Roles. However, outside the Ambulance Service, there are a few Paramedic roles, a lot of Specialist Paramedic roles, and a few Advanced Paramedic Roles. It's hard to be specific - I'm sure that in 3 years time when you've qualified, we'll be working in all sorts of places that we aren't at the moment. At the moment, the big