Paramedics

[Let's kill tonight.]

Hey
So, um, basically, I want to do paramedics at uni, as I'm completely out of any other ideas about how I'd go about becoming a paramedic. However, I read things about questions about the NHS in uni interviews. Like, what I'd bring to the NHS, what the issues are in the NHS etc. So if anybody could enlighten me on what type of questions I might be asked, and what on earth I'd answer them with (I'm clueless to issues within the NHS!) then that would be an amazing help! Thanks!

[Fairy Poppins]

Paramedicine is a degree course and, therefore, university is the only route to becoming a Paramedic (the same is true for other healthcare professions, e.g. nursing and midwifery).

If you are selected for interview, it is likely that they will ask you the sorts of questions you mentioned. Each university is different, but rather than giving you a whole list of questions to answer, they often give you one and then ask you to write a fairly short, essay-style answer (to test your literacy skills). They may ask you some verbal questions to do with the NHS, but when I was interviewed, they wanted to know more about my reasons for wanting to go to university.

In any case, if you want to get clued up on the issues facing the NHS, I suggest you have a look on the Internet, in particular articles/publications written by those in the NHS (you can find ones by going to Google and searching terms like "NHS publication", "paramedic publication", "royal college of nursing publication", etc).

I take it you've already applied to uni?

[kadyCHAOS]

thats not exactly true. im on my way to becoming a paramedic and im not planning on taking the courses at college/university. its a certificate program where im from. you do need prerequisites to take paramedic training though.

[Melody Pond]

In the UK paramedic science is a degree or a diploma which you have to go to university for.

I don't know if you have applied yet but if your in the UK I recommend joining st johns ambulance. They train you in first aid for free and them you provide first aid for events such a football matches and concerts on a voluntary basis.

I am currently studying radiography and my interview consisted of questions about why I wanted to do that course and go to that uni, I was not asked about issues in the nhs in any of my 5 interviews. Most unis also need some form of work experience in that field which could be shadowing a paramedic or st johns ambulance and then you would need to achieve the grades they required in their offer.

[Lottie]

Originally Posted by Let's kill tonight.

Hey
So, um, basically, I want to do paramedics at uni, as I'm completely out of any other ideas about how I'd go about becoming a paramedic. However, I read things about questions about the NHS in uni interviews. Like, what I'd bring to the NHS, what the issues are in the NHS etc. So if anybody could enlighten me on what type of questions I might be asked, and what on earth I'd answer them with (I'm clueless to issues within the NHS!) then that would be an amazing help! Thanks!

You'll be asked what you'd do in certain situations, you'll be asked what you think is important to a patient, how you would cope under pressure, what you think of the current situation, do you have a clean drivers licence and have you had it for two years (I think it's still that).

Issues within the NHS:
Pay, pension, hitting targets- the '4 hour golden time frame', patient demands, hand hygiene, care of dementia patients, care quality commission guidelines, heavy demand on the NHS during 'peak' seasons- ie winter with the norovirus.

You REALLY need to research it. I could reel off loads of responses to those questions but you need to research it as you have to remember it. Without a sound knowledge of at least three or four issues then you will struggle in the interview. I hope you manage to memorize some of the topics and I wish you well.

[Let's kill tonight.]

Thanks!! I knew I'd need to find stuff on the internet, but I just didn't know what I was looking for.. but that's helped a lot!! I haven't applied to uni yet, as I'm doing an extra year of sixth-form. I plan on joining St.Johns this year, (unfortunately it's impossible to shadow a paramedic), and I read on one uni application that I needed to have some sort of health and social care work experience, so I'm hoping St.Johns counts! (Someone please tell me if I'm completely on the wrong lines there..)

But anyway, thank you again, I know what I'm looking for now!

[jenpiglet17]

Hey there, let me know if you need anything. I've been in that field for a few years! Do you have your EMT? Sometimes if you do have your EMT card, your employer (if you work for emergency services) will pay for your Paramedic, or at least part of it. You have classroom time, clinicals, skills, & your final test! You can't miss any classroom time, or you have to make it up. Your clinicals & skills are probably the most important of them all. A great place to get your foot in the door is in a Volunteer Fire Department or Ambulance company! Like I said, I've been in that field for going on 5 years.

[Lottie]

Originally Posted by jenpiglet17

Hey there, let me know if you need anything. I've been in that field for a few years! Do you have your EMT? Sometimes if you do have your EMT card, your employer (if you work for emergency services) will pay for your Paramedic, or at least part of it. You have classroom time, clinicals, skills, & your final test! You can't miss any classroom time, or you have to make it up. Your clinicals & skills are probably the most important of them all. A great place to get your foot in the door is in a Volunteer Fire Department or Ambulance company! Like I said, I've been in that field for going on 5 years.

She's from the UK. The system is very different over here.

[Fairy Poppins]

Originally Posted by Let's kill tonight.

I plan on joining St.Johns this year, (unfortunately it's impossible to shadow a paramedic), and I read on one uni application that I needed to have some sort of health and social care work experience, so I'm hoping St.Johns counts!

Whilst you can get onto a uni course with qualifications alone, having experience greatly increases your chances of being accepted. And yes, volunteering (e.g. St. John Ambulance) does count.

Good luck with everything!