Paramedic

A paramedic works in a range of emergency and non-emergency situations, using their judgement and skills to quickly assess a patient’s condition and make life-saving decisions.

They are trained to resuscitate and stabilise patients using sophisticated techniques, equipment and drugs. In an emergency, they may use high-tech equipment such as defibrillators, spinal and traction splints, as well as administering oxygen and drugs. 

Usually, they will be the senior member of a two-person team, with an emergency care assistant or technician to support them. They may also work on their own using a motorbike or provide advice over the telephone from a control room or clinical hub.

Paramedics work closely with other healthcare teams in the community, such as GPs, occupational therapists, mental health teams, diabetes specialists and doctors and nurses in hospital emergency departments. They will often work alongside the police and fire and rescue services.

The standard working week will be around 37.5 hours on a shift pattern, which will usually include nights, early starts, evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

You will be paid on the NHS Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting at band 5 (currently £31,049) and progressing to band 6 after two years (currently £38,682 to £46,580). You will also have access to the NHS pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays. You could also receive at least £5,000 a year from the NHS Learning Support Fund to help fund your studies whilst at university, which you do not have to repay.

To be accepted onto a paramedic degree course you will need two to three A Levels, or equivalent, including one science, and five GCSEs including English language, mathematics, and science (grades 9-4).

To work as a paramedic, you will need to have successfully completed an approved degree or degree apprenticeship in paramedic science. Paramedic science courses usually take between three and four years, full time, and include a mixture of theory and practical work, including placements with the ambulance services. You will then need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council and, if you studied an approved degree, apply to an ambulance service as a qualified paramedic.

You could also apply for a role as a student paramedic with an ambulance service and study while you work.

You will need a good level of physical fitness and two years' driving experience. The recruitment process often involves several stages of interviews, tests, fitness assessments and driving tasks.

To find local education and training opportunities that could lead to a career as a paramedic, visit our partner website >log on | move on>.

The College of Paramedics - Become a Paramedic

Health Careers - Paramedic

UCAS - How to Become a Paramedic

National Careers Service - Paramedic

Find an approved university offering a paramedic degree course

Want to know what it's like to work as a paramedic in the NHS? Watch the paramedic video in How Did You Get That Job?