Paramedic: Career development

Within the National Health Service (see NHS Careers ) promotion opportunities are generally expanding. After two years as a fully qualified and experienced paramedic, you might be promoted to emergency services team leader.

Further promotion might lead to management posts in roles such as operational manager. Later, progression may be to senior posts such as operations locality manager, assistant director of operations, or a senior position in the control room. Studying for management qualifications on a part-time basis can form part of the route to managerial positions. When in a managerial position you may be asked to undertake bespoke training such as media training for giving official public statements.

Most senior officers have risen through the ranks and have operational experience. Having a degree in paramedical science may enhance prospects for first and second line management positions, as will a willingness to relocate.

The role of paramedic is developing to include roles in new clinical areas. For example, paramedics may work alongside doctors and nurses as emergency care practitioners (ECPs) (also may be known as senior paramedics) based in health centres, GPs' surgeries, minor injuries units, hospital accident and emergency departments and community hospitals. It is also possible, with further training in critical care and trauma, to move into the senior role of critical care paramedic.

Opportunities also exist in some locations for specialist work with motorcycle, rapid response car or air ambulance (helicopter) units. In some locations air ambulance positions are open on a secondment basis but these are moving more into permanent positions as given the charitable status of most air ambulance services and the amount of training provided the preference is for people to stay in post.

You could also move to related occupations in health care, either in a clinical role, such as nursing, or into non-clinical careers, such as NHS trust management and administration, training and development, health and safety, and personnel, obtaining specialist qualifications en route. Careers in other uniformed services, such as the armed forces, police or fire service, are also an option, as are lecturing posts on paramedic science courses.