Technician/ Student Paramedic Review

Currently as an ambulance medical technician and student paramedic I attend emergency calls dispatched to us in an ambulance. I work as part of a two person team in order to provide critical/ emergent and urgent care for patients in the community. I provide immediate necessary interventions when required in order to preserve life until coveted to definitive care.

I feel that I am continually developing my skills on a daily basis. There is always a new situation that I haven’t experienced that needs assessing. I am always looking at ways of developing excellent communication skills but mostly I fee That my mentors allow me to develop my practical skills with patients.

So far we have only completed the bridging module and had the first week of university. The bridging module did feel that it had been drawn out a little but the content was relevant to the course. It was all online also which can sometimes make it difficult to get a few for fellow students and to benefit my leading style. Overall the delivery has been good so far. I have looked at the next module slides and videos online for anatomy and physiology they have already sparked my enthusiasm for learning.

So far it has been week Organised. Everyone has arranged online when required. The technology has worked abs guest speakers have arrived. I missed the first face to face lectures at uni due to covid but colleagues have said that they enjoyed being around the rest of the students and that the working environment was good. The online resources have been useful so far.

East Midlands ambulance service have abs traced me from all my duties on the rod so that I can attend the lectures I am required to do. I have also been allocated a mentor for the tripartite meetings that will be happening. This is helpful with regard to having a person to direct queries too. The only slight issue is that other cohorts/ divisions have been allocated specific mentors abs as of yet we in south notts have not.

So far we have been provided with pretty robust support from our training provider. The lecturers have always made themselves available. I had to discuss attendance with covid and my lecturer responded immediately with regard to this on the phone and followed up quickly with the details of where I would need to go for some mandatory lectures that I would have missed via email.

So far it’s difficult to tel as it’s quite wary in the process but I know from experience on the road and other colleagues who are ahead of me in the programme that gaining my paramedic qualification will enable me to provide the best care for my patients without having to rely on calling for back up.

At work there are no real social activities formally arranged by management that I am aware of. I know that we as a station arrange nights out and social activities but these are organised internally. Work do provide access to some CPD events but these can be hit and miss and can be dependent on whether on shift or not.

Yes

Working for east midlands ambulance service means that I get to work doing the best job in the world. We are privileged be helping people when they are at their most vulnerable abs to be able to make a difference Ron the moment is incredibly satisfying. However, there is definitely an element of burn out amongst staff and low morale as staff feel that they are under appreciated and they are working harder and harder.

Applying to work to East Midlands ambulance service was the best decision I made. I am working doing a job I love and feel very proud and lucky to be doing so. I would recommend that new staff build good working relationships with their colleagues as they will be the ones to look after them when the difficult jobs come. I would also recommend completing incident forms etc if problems occur and completing the staff surgery so as the help to affect change. Staff should keep themselves physically fit and emotionally well by utilising services when offered.