Case studies: Paramedic: Richard Ward

Richard is an HPC-registered paramedic. He studied the BSc (Hons) in Paramedic Science at the University of Hertfordshire.

My degree prepared me for my role, allowing me to apply directly for HPC registration, without which I would not have been able to apply for a paramedic role.

After graduating, I attended open days at the trusts I wished to work for, and when a job advert appeared for them on NHS Jobs, I applied. I continued to enhance my CPD folder, pursuing courses to help me stand out in my application, which helped me secure a contract to work for a trust. 

When I get to work I collect my belongings and personal protective equipment (PPE) out of my locker and put it onto an ambulance/solo response vehicle. I sign out my morphine and oral morphine from the safe and sign out my drugs bag. This is before my official start time; if I waited until my shift started, I could get an emergency call straight away and be out all day without drugs. This could cost someone’s life. I sign onto the vehicle, turn on the radios and communicate to the emergency dispatch centre (EDC) that I am ready. From here, I may get a call straight away or I may sit on station for an hour or so.

The calls I attend are often to the elderly. However, every day is different and even if I attended three elderly fallers in a day, they will all be different scenarios. Calls come in cycles, you will see a particular illness over the stretch of one month and then not see it again for another three.

I enjoy being able to attend a call with a calm and caring attitude so people know they are in safe hands. I like being out and about, meeting different people and making a difference.

My job is challenging, on one call you may have to be a social worker and on the next a midwife; you have to be a jack of all trades. The most challenging part for me is either having to tell someone their relative or friend has passed away, or transporting a patient to hospital who has an illness that I can do nothing for. The support from colleagues at work, however, is brilliant, and I couldn’t do this job without them.

My role is always advancing and changing, with ever increasing evidence-based research being produced for the pre-hospital environment. My role has to develop into more of a primary care role then a critical care role, adjusting to the needs of the population. Learning and studying in my job will never end. I wish to pursue a career as a critical care paramedic this year, spending time on air ambulances as well as a possible move into the RAF Reserves. After this I wish to go back to university to teach on the degree programme.  

If you want to train as a paramedic, life experience is a must. Experience in the healthcare industry and high levels of interpersonal skills are also very important.