Student Paramedic Review

I currently work within the NHS for a local ambulance service, attending to both emergency 999 calls and urgent 111 calls. My role is to provide medical care, advice and treatment within the community to a range of patients and medical complaints

Within the course, there is a large emphasis on self directed study and students requiring to fill the gaps within the learning not provided by the university. Some aspects of the programme, does provide with new knowledge and skills. Though several aspects, felt like they were trying to fill a timetable slot. Though I have gained knowledge and new skills through the course, I would state the majority of this has been through self directed study and assignments through the course.

If I was aware of the issues with the programme prior to starting, I would have withdrew my place. Though its an amazing journey to becoming a paramedic, this course causes increase pressure and poor mental health due to several failings within the course design

This programme was completely unorganised from the start, poor communication and lack of support throughout. The amount of assessments and the poor planning on deadline dates, causes increased pressure and stress on students. Commonly I have seen this effects of student mental health significantly. When challenged around the poor planning and organisation within, met with excuses and stating these have been raised and changed within future cohorts to come. The use of essays across the apprenticeship is heavy, with a total of 16 essays across the 2 years, with at times unrealistic due dates with multiple essays due at the same time, little support and no thought process in the facts students are required to work full time hours when not at university. Furthermore, the use of one assessment type which was mainly essays, does not allow for all types of learners. A mixture of different academic assessments should be considered within the programme, to allow for fair assessment across the board of different style learners within the course. Several issues around late lesson changes and changes in module leads late within the academic year, leaving the students unprepared for assignments and upcoming lectures. Further time table issues have been experienced due to technical faults within the terms dates of this style apprenticeship. This has left students with late notice to arrange childcare, hotels and general life planning.

Overall the support from the employer has been poor. During the course we have not had any input from the employers education team or been asked to provide feedback on the course. Despite issues being raised from student reps, where employers have been present. No support or exploration of these issues has been undertaken. Support from local management teams within students own division has been positive.

I feel the support we receive overall from the training provider is poor. A large amount of emphasis is on the students for self directed study and little support is given to students when outside of university taught blocks. There are a handful of educators, who go above and beyond for the students at the university. Without these educators, it is unlikely mainly students would get through the course. These educators, not only provide support for their own students, taught modules and dissertation supervises, but they support every single student no matter the problem.

This qualification will enable me to be a registered paramedic, enabling me to undertake a wide range of further skills within pre-hospital care of patients.

Yes there are extra-curricular activities available within my workplace. Though due to the course requirements, including a large amount of assessments and poor design and running. It is difficult to manage, university, work and own personal life balance as well as adding in addition curricular activities.

Yes

I would recommend people to EMAS, as it is a good company to work for. They offer good development opportunities and the main support structures are good. Though I would not recommend the NTU paramedic apprenticeship route, until the failing of the course are addressed.

- Be confident, able to effectively communicate and have the right reasons for wanting to join. - Get as much experience as possible. Undertake volunteering and show that you are a person that wants to help people. - Don't give up. If this is the career for you, don't give up if you get knocked back on the first hurdle. Keep going and given it all you can. - This career is hard. Its not all what people think it is! Yes we drive on blue lights, we save peoples lives and its different every day. Though its hard and has a dark side, where we can't always help people despite our best efforts.