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Hi Rob,
First off, what Para Reg were you in?
Post qualification:
The minimum I've heard of people being taken is 6 months in A&E or 1 year Paramedic, 2 years is the ideal. If you can get a reference letter from a Trauma Dr that goes a long way.
CPO:
A CPO/ PSD course is also a good addition, even if you were green at one time in the past. I would look at a BATLS course as well, things are a little different as you plug a chest drain in early and you won't be working to the 10 minute rule like you do as a paramedic.
Remote Medic:
This is a little different and there is no one qualification which is recognised. ie the Dutch one is recognised by the UK, Norway & Denmark. The Norsk one is recognised by the UK but not the Danes. Its a bit of a mess really. They pretty much all cover the same subjects but its just the control that is different. Really, the UK one is best as a lot of the recruiters are UK based. You'll need your sea survival & heli cert but after that you should be ok. Same rules apply for time in A&E as CPO work. YOu can get worldwide work though.
Other misc work:
Flight Medic: If you can get a flight a medic course and work under your belt, then that opens up a lot more work in the Middle East and Africa etc. Also a few in the UK. Again, there is no one qualification that is recognised internationally. Best are the military 6 weeks course (TA at RAF Lyneham/ 144 Para Medic Squadron) or joining the local Air Rescue Team (but that is really hard to get in on).
Other: This is good work if you get on the right trip. Though I would treat it as a holiday, you won't get paid a lot but its a good chance to travel and mix with other people. You could be on a filming gig or charity gig, type in Remote Medic into Google and start the search. There is also Rapid Response teams with people like Merlin, great gig if you can get it. 48 hours notice and straight on a plane to a disaster zone.
Get you uni course done. Maybe do the TA flight course (6 weeks) as it could give you a better chance of getting on the civi heli team. I have heard a rumour that if you do the army paramedic course you can be cleared within the year.
Hang in there and keep reading.
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