Student Paramedic

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

We are renowned for our Student Paramedic training programme and are proud to have supported hundreds of people to achieve their aspirations of becoming a Paramedic. Since its inception in 2010, the programme has grown and developed alongside the Paramedic profession and has seen the move from a Foundation Degree to a Level 6 qualification.

This exciting opportunity will enable successful applicants to be substantively employed by the Trust completing recognised qualifications via an Apprenticeship pathway at our Training Academy and/or a Higher Educational Institution. The training programme will take a minimum of 42 months to complete, and Student Paramedics are then upgraded to working as a Newly Qualified Paramedic for the Trust.

We are looking for applicants who can commence employment prior to summer 2025 with cohorts planned until August and we have vacancies across the region at some of our operational hubs.

As a student paramedic, and when qualified, you'll often be one of the first people to arrive on scene in a patient's hour of need. You will work in a fast-paced, vital role where you and your colleagues will need to quickly take charge of the situation in order to save lives.

Main duties of the job

No day is ever the same! One of the many things our colleagues enjoy about being a part of the WMAS Team is the variety of calls that you will get sent out to and that you will play a key part in helping members of the community. You'll work in a range of emergency and non-emergency situations, and you'll be trained to be able to use your judgement and skills to quickly assess a patient's condition and make life-saving decisions whilst working as part of a team.

This position involves regulated activity therefore will require an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. The disclosure will include information against the Independent Safeguarding Authority barred lists for working with children, adults or both.

Successful applicants are required to cover the cost of the DBS check. The cost of £55.76 for an enhanced check is payable to our online provider at the time that the DBS application is submitted. Upon receipt of your DBS you will then be required to sign up to the DBS online update service.

About us

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and accessible workplace for everyone where our colleagues feel empowered to succeed.

Each person plays a vital part in ensuring our organisation meets the differing needs of our communities ultimately enabling us to save lives. We acknowledge that a workforce that reflects the communities that it serves provides better patient care and we are therefore looking for self-motivated, enthusiastic people from all backgrounds that care about making a difference to our patients.

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity at all levels. We are proud to have maintained Disability Confident Leader status and as part of our commitments to this we guarantee to invite all applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role to attend assessment or interview. If you have a disability or learning difficulty, and prefer to disclose it, please feel free to do so in your application. You can also contact the Recruitment Team via email at recruitment@wmas.nhs.uk if you wish to have a confidential discussion. We use this information, with your permission, to ensure you are fully supported during the recruitment process.

The Trust is proud to support our Armed Forces community and has signed up to the Step Into Health initiative. We welcome applications from Armed Forces Veterans and Service leavers.

Job responsibilities

Undertake a fixed-term training & education programme for 42 months to become a HCPC Registered Paramedic within the West Midlands Ambulance Service.

You will be responsible for providing care, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and movement of patients in and out of hospital in emergency and non-emergency situations across a wide range of patient groups and in a wide range of difficult settings.

1. Attend the planned programme of training and education.
2. Adhere to the appropriate job description as per stage of development (i.e., Technician).
3. Presentation at all times of a smart appearance incorporating current regulations relating to the wearing of uniforms.
4. Adherence to the Code of Conduct, Operational Instructions, Quality Procedures, and other verbal or written instructions promulgated by the Service currently or in the future.
5. The maintenance of factual and accurate records as required by the Service.
6. Accurately and factually complete all WMAS documentation including confidential details as required by the service to their skill level and ability.
7. The post holder will be required to attend all training courses as and when required in order to acquire additional skills and competencies as requested by the Service.
8. Required to have knowledge of current procedures for Radio, Automatic Vehicle Location System and satellite navigation unit to promote a prompt response to emergency calls and urgent removals.
9. Required to operate both internal and external environments during inclement weather conditions with various degrees of light and darkness.
10. Conduct dynamic risk assessment when responding to incidents for the protection of yourself, your crewmate, and the patient, as physical and/or verbal abuse may be present on occasions, complying with the Trust's Health and Safety policy at all times, in support of the organisation to act safely and responsibly in relation to staff, patients, and the communities in which they work.
11. When required, liaise with members of the other emergency services.
12. On occasions may be expected to give evidence to Her Majesty's Coroner or Crown Court.
13. To be aware of, recognise and report to the appropriate authorities any concerns regarding child abuse under the 1989 Children's Act.
14. To participate in audits and equipment evaluations and testing as required.
15. Maintain a portfolio of evidence of ongoing clinical practice, reflective practice and training attended.

Person Specification

Qualification Certificates

• Able to provide certificates to evidence all qualifications listed within the application form. PLEASE NOTE THAT PROVISIONAL STATEMENTS OF RESULTS OR NON-CERTIFIED STATEMENTS OF RESULTS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Qualifications

• GCSE Grade A - C (4 - 9) in English Language (or accepted equivalent as per the Additional Information document).
• GCSE Grade A - C (4 - 9) in Maths (or accepted equivalent as per the Additional Information document).
• GCSE Grade A - C (4 - 9) in Science (or accepted equivalent as per the Additional Information document).
• A-Level or Level 3 qualification at a minimum of 45 academic credits (or accepted equivalent as per the Additional Information document) at a Pass grade or above.
• A total of 5 GCSEs (including English, Maths and Science at grade C or above) and 1 A-Level (or accepted equivalents as per the Additional Information document).

Driving Licence

• Hold a Full manual UK driving licence with no more than 3 points.
• Hold Category C1 Provisional OR Hold Full Category C1 OR have received the D2 & D4 forms from the DVLA to apply for the C1 provisional & returned the completed forms to the DVLA for processing.

Experience

• Experience of working with members of the public in either a customer service or patient care environment.

Local Knowledge

• A passion and motivation to provide excellent patient care to the people within the West Midlands region.
• Demonstrate substantial local knowledge and a commitment to the Trust and the region.

Employer name

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

£22,369 a year. Please refer to the information pack.