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Paramedics are vital members of the emergency services who respond to 999 calls and provide life-saving medical care at the scene of accidents, emergencies, and other incidents. Their work involves assessing patients, delivering urgent treatments, and transporting patients to hospitals while continuing care en route. Paramedics use advanced medical equipment and must make quick decisions under pressure. The role requires strong communication skills, resilience, and the ability to remain calm in challenging situations. Paramedics are usually employed by NHS ambulance services, but there are also opportunities in private healthcare, event medical teams, and air ambulance units.
The average starting salary for a newly qualified paramedic in the UK is around £28,407 per year, according to the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale.
There are approximately 26,000 registered paramedics working across the UK, as reported by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in 2023.
Paramedics commonly work 37.5 hours per week, often including nights, weekends, and bank holidays due to the nature of emergency services.
Specialises in providing emergency care in high-risk environments such as major accidents, chemical spills, or confined spaces.
Works as part of a helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft crew, delivering life-saving care to patients in remote or hard-to-reach locations.
Provides advanced care to seriously ill or injured patients, often working alongside doctors and nurses in specialist ambulance teams or hospital emergency departments.
Obtain at least 5 GCSEs at grades 4 to 9, including English, Maths, and Science.
Most university paramedic science courses require GCSEs in English, Maths, and Science as a minimum. If you do not have these qualifications, you might need to study for them at a local college or through adult learning providers.
Take A Levels (including a science subject) or a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care.
Most universities expect at least one science A Level, such as Biology, or an equivalent Level 3 qualification. BTECs in Health and Social Care or Public Services are also widely accepted. Check entry requirements for the paramedic science courses you are considering.
Apply for an approved paramedic science degree at a university or through a degree apprenticeship.
Paramedic science degrees are typically three years full time. Some NHS trusts offer degree apprenticeships where you can earn while you learn. All courses must be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to allow you to register as a paramedic.
Undertake clinical placements in ambulance services, hospitals, and sometimes other settings.
Placements are a vital part of your training, giving you hands-on experience with real patients and under supervision. You will learn to use emergency equipment, assess patients, and provide life-saving care in a range of situations.
Register as a paramedic with the Health and Care Professions Council.
You must be registered with the HCPC to legally practise as a paramedic in the UK. Registration ensures you meet the professional standards required for the role.
Apply for paramedic jobs with NHS ambulance trusts or private providers.
Most paramedics work for NHS ambulance services, but there are also opportunities with private ambulance companies, in event medical cover, or in other emergency response organisations. There are options for further specialisation after gaining experience.
Please note that this may not be a comprehensive list of available apprenticeships. To view a more complete collection, visit the Find an apprenticeship service.
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You can get into this work through:
You'll need to do a paramedic science degree approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.
Full-time courses usually take 3 years.
You may be able to get extra student financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.
You'll usually need:
You could apply to do a Paramedic Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
This takes 3 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and classroom learning.
You'll usually need:
You could start as an ambulance care assistant or an emergency medical technician, also known as an associate ambulance practitioner (AAP).
With experience you could apply for a place on a paramedic training scheme. You would need to check the application and entry requirements with individual ambulance service trusts.
Entry to paramedic courses is very competitive and it may help you if you have some relevant experience or training. You could:
You can find more information on how to get relevant healthcare work experience from Health Careers
You could apply for a training scheme as a student paramedic with an ambulance service. You would study for a university paramedic qualification while working at the same time.
When applying for degree courses or apprenticeships, you'll be expected to show an understanding of how NHS values apply in your work.
You can join the College of Paramedics and get access to courses, conferences and workshops to keep your skills up to date. You can also swap ideas with colleagues in the profession.
You can find out more about becoming a paramedic from the College of Paramedics and Health Careers.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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