Paramedic

As a Paramedic, you will often be one of the first to arrive when a person needs help. It's a fast-paced and vital role where you will need to quickly take charge of the situation to save lives.

You will work in a range of emergency and non-emergency situations, using your judgement and skills to quickly assess a person's condition and make life saving decisions. You will often work alongside the Police and Fire and Rescue Services. Along with your patients, you will also support their relatives, friends, and members of the public. Your work may be challenging but very rewarding as you’ll help other people in their most vulnerable moments.

Role Characteristics

Travel to locations in and around Leeds to provide medical care to people
Listen to people, or respond to the emergency situation with treatment prior to taking them to hospital
Use technical equipment in order to resuscitate and stabilise people in your care
Work closely with other members of emergency services
Deal with members of the public, inform and negotiate with family members
Clean, decontaminate and check vehicles and equipment

Skills

Decision-making
Empathy
Resilience
Team work
Communication
Working under pressure

Day in the life

Watch Paul talk about his work as a paramedic.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

GCSEs

BTEC

A-Levels

Undergraduate degree

Degree apprenticeship

How to become

You will need 5 GCSEs including English Language, Maths and Science along with 2 or 3 A Levels.

To become a Paramedic, you’ll need a degree in Paramedic Science. A degree apprenticeship is also an option.

It is important to check your preferred course provider's entry requirements for guidance.

You’ll then need to apply to an ambulance service as a qualified paramedic and register with the Health and Care Professionals Council.

Where can this role lead

No matter what role you start in or where you are in your career path, there are always opportunities to develop and progress in health and care.

Once you’ve qualified you could become a Team Leader, supervising other paramedics and emergency care assistants, specialise in a specific area like strokes, or work for the air ambulance.

With additional training, you could become an experienced Paramedic, which is a senior role with more responsibilities.

Teaching, Research and Management roles are other options.