Usually the first to deliver emergency medical assistance, a paramedic is a healthcare professional who provides treatment on location at the scene of an accident. Paramedics are typically accompanied by an ambulance crew and may be required to administer care whilst transporting a patient to a hospital or healthcare facility. Due to their importance within the community, a paramedic recruitment agency is needed to help local emergency services recruit staff with the qualifications, skills and character to succeed in the job type.
Working for the NHS or a private company, registered paramedics will usually start at Band 5 and can expect a starting salary of between £22K-£26K, although this can rise with experience or if the candidate specialises in a particular area such as disability. More senior positions such as team leader, commonly fall into the Band 6 bracket and this can command a salary of £30K+. Pay can further be increased with shift and overtime working, with London usually offering the best salaries and job opportunities. As well as a salary, NHS paramedics are offered additional incentives including a pension, access to health services and a relocation package should they be required to move.
What qualifications and skills does a Paramedic need?
Entry requirements for paramedic jobs are quite high with candidates expected to have completed an approved course or relevant work based learning before applying for a position. A degree, BSc or diploma in paramedic science are the most widely accepted qualification for a paramedic, although these courses should be accredited by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). Alternatively, it's not uncommon for a student paramedic to learn on the job, however this can take up to five years if undertaken part-time. The skills acquired are usually transferable to other job types such as assessor, nurse and manager.
As well as experience and qualifications, an application to become a paramedic should include characteristics such as empathy, initiative and the ability to work well in a team. A specialist agency will have the necessary knowledge to help employers hire Paramedics by assessing candidates to ensure that they have these vital skills which may be needed to save lives.