Help - Applying for Paramedic London UK

[Kayz]

Hi there i was hoping there would be somebody here who is in the UK ambulance service as a Technician or a Paramedic, or maybe somebody who is currently employed in those areas.

I am very eager to apply for the course and have requested for an application form to be sent to me, hopefully it should arrive by tomorrow.

I would want some advice and help for exactly how to fill up the form, even for a course like this im sure they will turn you away if the application doesn’t consist of what their looking for. I am very eager about this hence i am being extra cautious as i really don’t want to jeopardize my chances. Qualifying as a Paramedic would mean a lot to me as i would not have only achieved a lifelong ambition but also a lifelong skill.

In my college years i remember seeing (LAS) The London Ambulance Service placing adverts in the local and regional papers encouraging people to join the force. If i can recollect correctly - to become an Ambulance Technician you were to undergo an intensive training period for 5-6 months before you were deemed as a qualified Ambulance Technician. You were also required to be 21 years of age or older to apply, as for me i think i was too young then.

After waiting a few years into my early twenties, to my disappointment i hear that the 5-6 month training as an Ambulance Technician is being phased out and current Technicians are being encouraged to become Paramedics. I’m sure we all know that a Paramedics job would be a lot more demanding as oppose to an Ambulance Technician. However i did not let this put me down as im sure the Paramedic role would be even more rewarding.

I was going to apply for the course through the university I graduated in however last year they told me that they were fully booked and the demand for it was pretty high. As for the university course a lot of money is involved as im sure some of you may be aware of. However I found out that by applying to the service directly has little or no fees involved which is great news to me. However if im correct both methods will still take 3 years? Now as a recent graduate I have decided to apply for the service directly without having to go through university. Have I made the right choice do you think? Do the two different methods of applying vary at all with one out weighing the other in terms of benefits and time?

I understand that having care experience or other similar voluntary experiences does boost ones application. However i am worried that my application could be in jeopardy as i do not have such experiences. On the contrary i have done voluntary work in terms of fundraising and also by helping charities and local communities. This was some years ago and i doubt i would be able to provide any evidence for that as there was no real paper work involved whilst i volunteered for those roles. Generally i love to help people and also teach. I have helped many throughout my life time thus the motivation to become a Paramedic and enjoy my job at the same time obtain a life time skill.

Now at this point i am worried about the application process however i do meet all the necessary requirements.

In terms of any background experience to do with care i have none.


Briefly about myself:

• I am 22 years old from London and have recently graduated this year in Bsc (Hons) Multimedia and Internet Technology with a 2:1.
  
• I have 4 A/S-levels consisting of 2 A-levels and 2 AS-Levels. None consist of any sciences.
  
• I have 5 GCSE's that are between grades B-C including Maths and English, however i have obtained a double D in Science.
  
• I live in London and have an average body physique,

As you can see i am more of a computer techy guy, i specialize in Internet Technology and Web Development amongst other things. As i have said earlier my main concern is the application process which will decide if i progress onto the course and training - for which will all be down to myself.

I use the computer a lot which makes it really easy for me to spell check and also fix any grammatical mistakes i may make. Yes i have acquired a degree which required all forms of submissions to be made electronically. We all know what happens if we spend too much time on the computer? We tend to rely on it so much that it begins to correct our spelling mistakes and grammar for us. Now this is another aspect i am worried about that I could put my application at jeopardy if my spelling and grammar is not correct. However i have tried my utmost best to write this post with all the correct spelling and grammar in place. (I won’t be at all surprised if you find any mistakes.)

As for Maths i am still a bit scathy in some areas but i am sure i can improve on that provided it doesn’t involve a lot of algebra. Last time i did any core maths was when i was at school which was 6 years ago.



My Concern Summary:

• Lack of care experience,
• Spelling and Grammar,
• Maths (I can brush up on my maths which should be ok),

My questions:

To those who are in the field:

• If i have little or no experience in care, what alternatives could they be looking for within me?
  
  
• I have requested for an application form which is due to arrive this week, hopefully tomorrow. I have a full driving license as required for the post, however it will be reaching its two year anniversary this late November (2008). Can i still apply for the Paramedic training now?
  
  
• What types of "Intensive" English and Grammar assessments can i expect? Basic, Intermediate? Would the mathematical questions involve basic maths, fractions, decimal points or something more advanced such as algebra etc?
  
  
• What type of "Intensive" physical tests am i to expect? I go to the gym on the odd occasion but i may have to work harder if i am to become very fit. I understand lifting particular weights is being one, what else? Any endurance running? Bleep tests etc?
  
  
• If i don’t pass the application stage, can i reapply or retake the particular areas that i did not do so well?
  
  
• As a Technician/Paramedic yourself, do you think i would make a suitable candidate from what i have said to you so far? In other words do you think i have enough to pass the application stages to go onto starting the course? If so why? If not what am i missing?
  
  
• Will i be making the right decision for applying to the service directly as oppose to go through university? As i said earlier that going into the service directly involves little or no fees whereas with University i will be required to stay out and of course pay tuition fees etc.

I would appreciate any help, pointers or advice in the right direction with regards to meeting the necessary requirements in passing the first application stage.

I know this has been a long read but i would really appreciate any responses and or feedback.

Many Thanks
Regards,
Kayz

[DarkHorse]

Hi mate,

Today whe i was returning from work I picked up Metro Newspaper (the one you pick up on trains/tubes in the morning) and there was a possiton as a trainee medic within London Ambulance service, salary between 20,450 till 28,000 aftre completing your qualification. It didnt ask much on the person specification...... try to get hold of this metro newspaper if you can..

Back to your question, username Paul999 has put an excellent article on paramedics so check out some old threads on the medic section and you might get some asnwers there..

DH

[Kayz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkHorse Hi mate, Today whe i was returning from work I picked up Metro Newspaper (the one you pick up on trains/tubes in the morning) and there was a possiton as a trainee medic within London Ambulance service, salary between 20,450 till 28,000 aftre completing your qualification. It didnt ask much on the person specification...... try to get hold of this metro newspaper if you can.. Back to your question, username Paul999 has put an excellent article on paramedics so check out some old threads on the medic section and you might get some asnwers there.. DH

Cheers for that ive been reading a few posts by Paul on here which seem to be very handy.

This particular post you saw in the papers does it require you to have any form of medical qualifications as i have none at all. Its late now but i will be sending a few text messages around to see if any of my mates have a copy of the paper.

Cheers

[DarkHorse]

Do you know what..... I felt bad now as i was bloody thinking to take the article out?? sorry mate :-)

Actualy it didnt ask for much and it be perfect for you as they want to train you and I think training lasted 3 years apparently (I am sure i wasnt sleeping when reading the article) but its good as you get trained well.

I will check tomorrow in office to see if some one ought in a copy.

Paul999 is very busy at moment but I am sure if he reads this he will put his words of wisdom....

DH

[Kayz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkHorse Do you know what..... I felt bad now as i was bloody thinking to take the article out?? sorry mate :-) Actualy it didnt ask for much and it be perfect for you as they want to train you and I think training lasted 3 years apparently (I am sure i wasnt sleeping when reading the article) but its good as you get trained well. I will check tomorrow in office to see if some one ought in a copy. Paul999 is very busy at moment but I am sure if he reads this he will put his words of wisdom.... DH

I went downstairs and guess what i found! I think sis or dad might of bought it in today! I see the ad and will give them a ring tomorrow.

Cheers!

[DarkHorse]

I am glad buddy that you got otherwie I felt bad.... :-)

All the best and Good luck with your future application

DH out.....

[Paul999]

Hi Kayz,

I have read your post and will endevour to answer some if not all of your questions. However, I have just finished a 12 hour night shift in a block of four over the weekend, so if you bear with me I'll put the post up later on if thats ok?

Off to have a little siesta.
Regards,
Paul.

[Kayz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul999 Hi Kayz, I have read your post and will endevour to answer some if not all of your questions. However, I have just finished a 12 hour night shift in a block of four over the weekend, so if you bear with me I'll put the post up later on if thats ok? Off to have a little siesta. Regards, Paul.

Cheers Paul do take your time

[cpmedic]

...and this has exactly what to do with the security industry?????

Try a paramedics forum.

[Kayz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpmedic ...and this has exactly what to do with the security industry????? Try a paramedics forum.

Sorry if you find my thread intrusive, however i was searching for a Paramedic forum. The only other Paramedic forum i had found was the British Paramedic Forum www.britishparamedic.org/forum/ however their forum is not so active with some of the latest responses dating back to 2007 and a few being months old.

I then stumbled across Pauls thread titled: "How to become a Paramedic". I saw that the forum was rather active and thought i'd try asking some questions of my own by creating a thread.

I felt this was the most appropriate place to ask, as i saw similar questions and answers for what i was looking for.

paramedic forum - Google Search