First recruits ready to start new paramedic course

The first group of students on a new paramedic course have started the next step in their careers.

In a bid to help address the national paramedic shortage and to invest in its staff, North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has worked with the University of Sunderland to develop a new bespoke specialist training programme.

The two year Diploma of Higher Education in Paramedic Practice has been accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is tailored to meet local needs, with a maximum of three cohorts of 20 students per year.

The first 20 started their course on 8 September 2016 and will be the first to have access to the University’s recently completed Sciences Complex Phase II and the Living Lab - with its interactive learning facilities based on the patient journey - when it opens in October 2016.

Students are employed by NEAS, allowing them to combine theoretical learning with operational shifts. They will also undertake clinical placements across a range of healthcare environments to help them gain a wider understanding of healthcare in the region. 

The first cohorts, which were only open to internal applications, attracted 174 applicants.

The next cohort after this week’s intake will begin in January 2017 and will again be filled by internal applicants. April 2016 will be the first course where 10 of the 20 places will be open to external applicants. The courses will be advertised in November online via NHS Jobs and via www.sunderland.ac.uk/courses/appliedsciences/undergraduate/diploma-paramedic-practice/

Caroline Thurlbeck, Director of Strategy, Transformation and Workforce at NEAS, said: “Training to become a paramedic is intense and challenging but is also one of the most rewarding opportunities available.

“We always knew this new course with the University of Sunderland would be popular but have been overwhelmed by the interest shown so far.

“As well as allowing us to grow our own paramedics through a regular intake, on top of the graduate paramedics we already accept from our successful partnership with Teesside University, this new course also allows us to invest in and develop our workforce by enabling them to progress their careers without the need to leave the Trust.

“In order to develop our staff, it was important for us to ring-fence the first cohorts to our own internal applicants but we also want to ensure we welcome new faces into our Trust and are pleased to say our April 2017 is also open to external applicants.

“We hope this course will continue to grow and look forward to welcoming our home-grown paramedics into NEAS.”

Victoria Duffy, Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer in Clinical Skills in the University’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing, said: “We’re really pleased to be delivering this new Paramedic Diploma alongside the NEAS training and education team. The new programme has been developed in response to the changing and dynamic role of the paramedic, together with proposals for development of an all graduate profession.

“The diploma will educate and develop students into effective practitioners able to care for patients in a range of challenging and unpredictable situations. It’s designed to reduce the gap between theory and practice; ensuring students develop the skills required for clinical practice. These enhanced clinical skills will allow them to work with a range of medicines, offering more treatments in communities alongside GPs and other health professionals.”

Case studies:

Rebecca Bynoe – Darlington

22 year old Rebecca Bynoe, of Darlington, started her career as a PTS apprentice; in fact, Rebecca was one of the first five PTS apprentices to start in the service in September 2012.

After finishing her apprenticeship, Rebecca was given a job on the Trust’s Durham Urgent Care Transport (DUCT) and she worked her way up the career ladder, becoming an emergency care assistant before taking on more responsibility and lead clinician role as an emergency care technician.

Becoming a paramedic was always part of the plan and Rebecca says she can’t wait to get started.

“I’ve wanted to be a paramedic since I was at school. It’s a doing job and I like being able to look after people,” she said.

“Instead of jumping straight into the student paramedic training, for me it was important to work my way up,” she said. “As a technician, I’ve had that responsibility of being a lead clinician and I think having that time on the road on my own has really helped boost my confidence. This is that next step and I feel ready to do that now.

“I’m really grateful to be given this opportunity and I’m really excited to start my training.”

Denise Bridge – Newcastle

Recently qualified emergency care technician, Denise, aged 40, of Fenham, joined North East Ambulance Service as an emergency care assistant in 2008, having worked in healthcare for a number of years, and was keen to progress.

“I had always wanted to apply,” she said. “Even as a child, if an ambulance went past, I got excited and wanted to know what job they were going to.

“For me, it’s knowing you can make a difference and the job satisfaction you get from that. Obviously it doesn’t always go the way you want it to but to know that you’ve done your best is job satisfaction in itself.

“No one day is the same and the variety of people you meet and the different environments you go to makes it such an interesting job to have.

“I’ve absolutely loved my career with NEAS so far, I can honestly say it’s the only job where I’ve never thought ‘I don’t want to go to work today’. This is me, for life.”

David Galloway – Durham

Former RAF medic David, aged 24, of South Durham, joined North East Ambulance Service in 2015 as an Emergency Care Technician (ECT).

 “My goal was always to become a paramedic, becoming an ECT was a stepping stone towards that,” he said.

“The excitement of the ambulance service is similar to that of the RAF, with the same camaraderie so it was a natural progression for me.

“It’s a unique career where I can help people. As a paramedic, you’ve got the skills and knowledge to care for patients to a higher level. I’ll be able to give better care for the patient and that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day.

“I was so excited to be accepted on to the course. I can’t wait to get started.”