Student Paramedic Training School
For the past 8 weeks I have been subjected to the delights of the training school studying the IHCD Basic Award Ambulance Technician course. It has probably been the fastest 8 weeks of my life and the most significant in terms of education. I spent 4 years at University and didn’t learn a single thing that I can actually use in ‘real life’ (that’s probably not the truth but is how I feel), but managed to accrue significant debt in this apparent absence of education.
The Student Paramedic course comprises three modules at the the technician level. These are:
Module D
Introduction to the body
Lifting and Handling Equipment
Respiratory
Circulatory
Cardiac Monitoring
Airway Management & Resuscitation
Examination & Assessment
Assisting the Technician
Infants and Children
Module E
Nervous System
Nervous Disorders
Skeletal
Musculoskeletal Trauma
Wounds & Bleeding
Infectious Diseases
Infants & Children
Module F
Digestive System
Diabetes & Glucagon
Law & Ambulance Staff
Major Incidents
Poisoning
Extremes of Body Temperature
Maternity
Haemodialysis
Acute Abdominal Problems
Infants & Children
Module D was the first to be tackled and in my opinion is the most interesting and important. It is the most important because it introduces the foundation on which the Student Paramedic will build their skills upon. The fundamentals of Ambulance aid are the A B Cs, that is Airway, Breathing and Circulation. Any prospective Student Paramedic will find that this mnemonic will be drilled home from the very first day of training school. It is the most interesting module simply because it introduces the anatomy and physiology of the human body, to people that have never studies A&P it is fascinating to learn the various important facts and figures.
Module E was in my opinion the most difficult and presented the greatest information overload. The nervous system is a complexed system and required a lot of attention to absorb the “need to know” aspects. It was easy to get carried away with the complexity of the system and delve into the various types of nervous responses, an area that is simply not required at this stage of training, as they tutors call it a “nice to know”. Combining the nervous system with the recognition of 21 cardiac rhythms and subsequent test, plus wounds and bleeding assessment in a 7 day period was a big ask. A couple of students failed various parts of this module compared to a clean sweep pass of module D pays testament to the degree of difficulty it posed.
Module F has just been completed by myself. Well I say completed, the tests and assessment have been completed but the training team are reserving the right to withhold our results until the final Friday. This is an attempt to curb complacency as we go about practical scenarios in various parts of the county. The rumours from previous courses was that F was the most challenging module, however, the general consensus among the group was the opposite. The maternity part was the scariest and appears to be the most daunting emergency discussed amongst the group.
You may have noticed the Infants & Children are covered in each module. Dealing with children will present the biggest problem to me as a probationary Technician simply because they are vastly different to adults in terms of A&P and their system dynamics. It is true to say that children are not simply small adults! Add this to the fact that people are naturally more sympathetic to children and you can see how it can easily become a trainees worst nightmare. I recently read a blog article from a BASICS Doctor and it was comforting yet equally unnerving to read…
As we get nearer, I see a group of people kneeling down. I see the victim, and my heart sinks. I rush back to the car to get my paediatric bag, as my head screams at me, “A child! It’s a child!”
It is reassuring to read that a Doctor finds dealing with children different to the everyday adult jobs, yet, if that is how an experienced Doctor felt I wonder how I’ll be on that dreaded first serious job?
I started this post by saying the past 8 weeks have been the fastest and most significant in terms of education and I stand by this. To think that after 40 days of training on my colleagues and Resusci Annie I will be out on the road and blue light driving to people’s emergencies is a prospect that I’m relishing with a degree of apprehension. I’m assuming that on average a person in the western world will call 999 once in their lifetime. This 1 call is THEIR emergency and as such will be the only time they get to experience the life protecting, preserving and promotional skills of a trained Ambulance person. For this reason I have apprehension. I know that I have the theoretical knowledge but people are not exam answer sheets to write on. People are not knowledgeable colleague or plastic practice props, they are real people having real emergencies.
If there is one tip that I can impart on prospective Student Paramedics it is this; find out what is need to know and focus your attention on it, learn it verbatim and then if confident, take a look at the nice to know.
Oh, the memories!!
Need to know, Nice to know…..its all coming back to me.
And the nervous system…….AAAaaahhhhhhhh!!!
Its strange though, the further on you get in your career, the closer you get to feeling really comfortable and things become second nature, you start to think more about the “nice to know” things. Eventually, you realise that they too are really important and help you become a much more rounded, competant and safe paramedic.
It takes years to become really good at this job, and it takes years to realise all the information you stuffed into your brain actually has some purpose in the wider scheme of things!
Congratulations on passing this stage of your training. Onwards and upwards !!
I am also looking at beginning a career as a paramedic. It is a recent career change that I have decided to make and whilst I would love to start as a Student Paramedic immediately, I can’t as I don’t have a C1 driving lisence. I am going to work towards this and am aiming at applying for next years intake, probably around March time I believe.
Anyway, well done on getting to where you have. I think that it would be a good career move for me and to hear someone else’s experience of it is a bit of an eye-opener but very useful for me.
Were you successful in your first application for student paramedic or did you have to apply more than once? Also, do you have any tips on how to get in first time, things to read up on before applying etc. as I would like to give myself the best possible chance of getting in first time?
Thanks
Paul
Hi Paul,
I have just been accepted as a Student Paramedic for the North East Ambulance service and start my course on Feb 1st 2010.
I managed to get in on the first attempt. Apparently 750 people applied for 20 places. I found that the “how 2 Become” website helped loads. I downloaded the help pack for the application form and spent 2 weeks going back to basics on my maths for the assessment centre stage. I pais to access their revision suite. Luckily my English has always been very good thanks to my parents correcting my grammar constantly as a child.
I know it’s going to be hard work, but remember the more preparation you do, the more it should pay off in the long run.
Good luck!
DJ
Be very interested in how the training goes with the North East Ambulance service. Was there 750!! I am considering a career change and going for the Oct 2010 start.
@ Paul
My advice to you is to concentrate on passing your C1 test first and foremost. The theory test is very different to the car version, where you will need to learn the basics of driving and maintaining large goods vehicles. I bought the Official DSA LGV Theory Test CD and constantly practiced the questions each night after work. In my opinion it’s an invaluable tool.
With respect to your application are you intending to qualify via the University route or train with an Ambulance service while working for them? If it’s the latter then I’d suggest applying in bulk to a variety of services that you consider working for and aim to receive multiple offers. This way if you are rejected, for whatever reason, by one service you have others to fall back on. Once you’re in a service it is easy to transfer to another.
In response to your direct questions:
Q – Were you successful in your first application for student paramedic or did you have to apply more than once?
A – I applied to 4 services, accepted by all and now work for my first choice. A lot of people on my intake had applied many times before. Those accepted first time often have previous experience in non emergency ambulance work or a service related background i.e. military.
Q – Do you have any tips on how to get in first time?
A -This all depends on the route you want to take. University or Ambulance service training as I’m led to believe there are inconsistencies between the two entry requirements.
Hope this helps mate. Feel free to get back to me if you need anymore advice.
@ DJ
Welcome to my blog. Congratulations on being accepted. I’ve been on the road for a few months now and it’s going well. The variety of jobs that I’ve been to is incomprehensible, however is soon becomes standard fare and I’ve realised that anything can happen and it often does. My top tip prior to starting your training in a few weeks is to revise basic maths especially, liquid volumes and drug dosages. People on my course were very confused with micrograms and milligrams.
Good luck with your training and feel free to post any future questions.
@ John
Welcome to you also. What line of work are you currently involved with? What makes you want to join the Ambulance service? It’s a great job but the TV only reflects a tiny amount of the work that we do so don’t let that guide you.
Work in education, even taught a fair amount of A&P in the past. Always been interested in a medically related profession, considered Physio etc. but like being out and about. And don’t worry I don’t watch many dramas let alone take them seriously! Anyway got C1 and my maths and English are good (as you would hope working in education!). I’ll keep reading the blog as I said I am very interested in how the training is progressing.
Thanks for all the replies.
I am now in the process of studying towards a C1 driving licence.
Congratulations on getting one of the NE Student Paramedic roles DJ. I was also going to apply for that as I’m originally from that neck of the woods, but found out that I wouldn’t be considered for it as I don’t have C1.
GiveItDiesel – I have already studied at uni for 4 years and can’t really afford to get any more debt, so the roles that I am going to be applying for are Student Paramedic roles where I’ll get paid to work and also study.
Thanks for all the advice.
Paul
@ Paul
You’re in a similar boat to me then. I’ve a mountain of debt but am slowly (very) starting to pay it back. The in house route will suit you perfectly, you’ll have plenty of time to hit the books and earn while you learn.
Keep your options open and good luck.
I am looking to change my career and having recently called an ambulance for my 8 day old daughter i have been inspired to follow this route.
I am looking to train on the student paramedic route rather that the university route, however i only have 1 GCSE not the required 5.
I do however have a higher national certificate in catering management, would this be an adequate qualification to gain entry as a student?
I look forward to your reply