Paramedic

Paramedic - overview

As a paramedic, you’ll respond to medical emergencies and work with other healthcare professionals to deliver successful medical outcomes. Here you can find out more about what being a paramedic is like, how you can start your career, and what your day-to-day work might involve.

Learn what the role involves below.

What does a paramedic do?

A paramedic is a highly skilled medical professional trained to respond to non-scheduled medical incidents. Paramedics often work on ambulances for the NHS, though there are a variety of other job roles that a paramedic can do within the NHS and elsewhere.

As a paramedic you’ll need to act under pressure, making life-saving decisions and providing the best possible medical knowledge and practice. You’ll be responsible for responding to emergency calls, driving to the site of incidents, providing first aid and emergency medical treatment, and transporting patients to the nearest healthcare facility to receive further support. It's a role that is both challenging and rewarding in equal measure.

What will your days involve?

Daily tasks will vary but could involve:

Responding to calls for assistance
Driving ambulances or accompanying driver
Assessing injuries and giving medical first aid treatment
Stabilising and/or resuscitating patient using relevant equipment, drugs and techniques
Briefing the relevant people when handing over the patient to onward care
Transporting and accompanying patients from the incident to hospital for onward care
Writing reports describing the patient and care given

FAQs

How much can you earn as a paramedic?

The average salary for a paramedic in the UK is £38,480. Graduates start at around £24,000.

Does a paramedic role involve travel in the UK or overseas?

Paramedics are usually based in a hospital and will travel around the local area to treat patients. You might travel through paramedic role in events, the military or remote locations.