USA paramedic license versus UK paramedic license (reciprocity thoughts and info)

[smugalov]

I noticed some people wondering about those things so I wanted to share my experience on the matter. Of course it is not concrete rocket science but I hope it might help




From what I understand and have experienced it is possible to transfer your medic education from one country to another.
In the USA they Have the NR System (national REGISTRY Emt´s and Paramedic´s) I think everyone that takes a EMT course in USA will want to take the NR test but in most cases only as a standard of education since all touch you are a NR EMT that will not automatically give you a license to practice in USA
The DOT (department of transportation’s) sets the minimum standards for EMT education in USA and the AHA (American heart association) also have their standards Like for example the ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) and PALS (pediatric advanced life support) courses.



All the US states have what they call a state exam and you will have to pass a test within the state you want to work in even if you practice in one state you will have to take a state exam (reciprocity exam) to be able to practice in another state
So it is really the decision of each state EMS director´s if they will approve of your country’s credentials and let you take the state exam to get a practice license.


If a UK paramedic wants to become a NATIONAL REGISTRY EMT I thing this would be the way to go because if you have obtained a state license as a EMT-P i thing it would be very hard for the



NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EMT´s to refuse you to take the NR test even touch you did not take your courses in the USA and of course if you have the opportunity to prove your skills there are many USA instructors and course providers that can sign you up for the NR exam
You don’t have to be a US citizen to get the state license or to take the NR test but some states will not let you take the reciprocity exam unless you have a working permit in USA different States EMS offices in usa




Although this is a long and expensive way to go for most, the big USA based security companies usually only hire medics with the NATIONAL REGISTRY stamp and the AHA approved courses: ACLS PALS etc.


As for the other way around I have written the HSE in the UK about my USA EMT diplomas and my Icelandic courses and the response I got was that it should not be any problems for me to get a license as a UK Ambulance technician with my credentials I just have to find a company that will hire me and then I can apply for the license.
I don’t know about the paramedic´s but since almost all paramedic programs in the USA are either college or university based I can’t see any problems with moving the credits to the UK. And then of course there is the big question of when a course stops being a course and becomes a education which is very different depending on organizations and different country’s government bureaucracy


But as the UK paramedic standards are much higher than the American ones (hope I don’t defend anybody but from an educational point it is a fact) I would think that a US paramedic wanting a UK license would have to get some more education??


As for the UK military personnel witch have a lot of special medical courses. Just get all the paperwork and the courses descriptions as well as your diplomas and send them to HSE and make then evaluate them if they are doing it for foreigners they must be doing it for UK citizens !!

After taking anatomy and physiology courses once I am willing to bug the system a lot so I want have to go through that again Well it is the same body Born in the USA-ICEAND or the UK





Of course if there is anything that I got wrong or has chanced recently please correct me (and i don't mean the Spelling )

Hasta Pronto

[Paul999]

Thanks for that informative post, Smugalov.

Hopefully that will have answered some peoples questions, certainly given me some food for thought.

Cheers mate,

Paul.

[smugalov]

Hi there

i just found some more information about overseas medical personnel transferring there rights to the UK

There is an agency called EDEXCEL and they will assess your skills and knowledge and give you recognition and accreditation of prior learning (APL)

[bonejas]

For transfer to the UK see below.

It can be done, the BPA are very helpful but can't give a green light. The HPC are not quite so helpful and can't really give you an answer over the phone. They ask for £400 administration fee just to process your application (your application is then forwarded onto a 'Power that be'). This will take time.

From my small amount of knowledge on the subject you need to have some hard hours under your belt to get an HPC number.

British Paramedic Association: Your Professional continues to make great progress on your behalf [The British Paramedic Association]
Health Professions Council: HPC - Health Professions Council - International

I hope this is of some help.

[fishfood]

In my experience, thier is not a lot of diference in the UK vs US standard and although a 12 month process to get international training and through required records check.
The HPC will want to see working experience as a paramedic in the country from which you are requesting the reciprocity from (years not months) and medical refrences.
Regards
Fishfood

[jonnymed1c]

Hi my name is Jonny I am 22 and an ambulance technician from Northern Ireland, I have been given the opportunity to train as an EMT-B and then progress through to paramedic if succussful. I was wondering if anbody else from the uk has done this and how they found the visa process.

thanks Jonny

[Resusruss]

Gents,
The HPC is a very tough animal to crack, the international form is massive, you have to provide evidence that you meet the educational standard of the UK Paramedic Qualification, this is also on the HPC website.
You also have to provide 3 professional references, all certificates.
The HPC will check your application paperwork, they will return it, if any information is missing. If you pass this stage, you will get called for an interview, I am lead to believe this interview is very intense.
If you pass the interview you will then great your magic pin number.
Best of luck guys.

Russ