Being a Paramedic is a rewarding healthcare career focused on providing urgent care and life‑saving treatment in emergency situations. Paramedics are highly trained clinicians who respond to a wide range of incidents, from accidents and injuries to medical emergencies in the community.
Paramedics often work independently, making rapid assessments and decisions to stabilise and treat patients at the scene. They use advanced equipment such as defibrillators, intravenous drips and specialist splints, as well as administering oxygen and emergency medications.
They play a key role in the wider healthcare system, ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time; whether that is treatment on scene, transport to hospital, or referral to other services.
WHAT DO PARAMEDICS DO?
No two days are the same for a paramedic. They respond to a wide range of emergency and non-emergency situations, using their judgement and clinical skills to quickly assess a patient’s condition and make decisions about their care.
They are trained to resuscitate and stabilise patients, using advanced techniques, equipment and medication. This can include using defibrillators, administering oxygen and drugs, and applying specialist splints.
Paramedics often work with people in highly stressful situations, so they also provide reassurance and support to patients, families and members of the public. They regularly work alongside other emergency services such as the police and fire and rescue services.
They also collaborate with wider healthcare teams, including GPs, occupational therapists and hospital staff, helping ensure patients receive the most appropriate care.
WHERE DO PARAMEDICS WORK?
Paramedics are usually based at an ambulance station, but most of their work takes place out in the community.
They respond to emergencies in a variety of locations, including people’s homes, public places and road traffic incidents. Some paramedics also work independently, using response cars, motorbikes or bicycles, or provide clinical advice over the phone from a control room or clinical hub.
They work in all types of weather conditions and typically do shift work, including evenings, nights and weekends.
Paramedic: career casenotes
Check out all the vitals for a career as a paramedic.
What qualifications do I need to become a paramedic?
Nope! A‑levels are not the only route to becoming a paramedic, although they are a common pathway. Many universities ask for A‑levels, typically including a science or social science subject (often at Grade B or above).
However, you can also apply with BTECs, Access to HE Diplomas, or other Level 3 qualifications in relevant subjects such as health, science or social care.
Universities may base their offers on UCAS tariff points or specific grades, depending on the course, so it’s important to check what each provider requires.
Yes, you can become a paramedic through a degree apprenticeship, which allows you to earn while you train.
To do this, you must first secure a job with an ambulance service or healthcare provider offering a paramedic degree apprenticeship. You then study part-time for a paramedic science degree alongside your role.
This route combines hands-on experience with academic learning, typically takes 3–4 years, and leads to registration as a paramedic.
Entry requirements vary by provider, so it’s best to check the latest details directly on university websites. Information published based on UWE Bristol's entry requirements for Paramedic Science and is correct as of June 2026.
“I completed A Levels and then went into an apprenticeship at a leisure centre, followed by an apprenticeship at an outdoor centre – both of which gave me some exposure to situations that required first aid and/or the attendance of an ambulance. I then went to work in an ambulance call centre taking 999 calls for the ambulance service.”
“The exposure and experience gained through this work is what ultimately helped me decide that I wanted to become a paramedic.”
“I chose my course because at the end of it I will be a fully qualified paramedic. This will enable me to work on an ambulance helping people when they are ill or injured. This appeals to me as I want to be able to make a difference in people’s lives and being able to help and support people at what is often a very scary time, and it is a very privileged position to be in.”
“When you attend to a patient you aren’t just attending to the person who is ill or injured, you are also responsible for reassuring and supporting their family members or friends who are also concerned for their loved one. Being able to help all those people is what drew me towards this course.”
“A typical day on placement for me would be waking up at approximately 5:30am to get to the ambulance station by 6:20am to ensure I am ready to start my shift at 6:30am”
“The first thing we do is check the ambulance’s equipment to ensure we have everything we need to treat patients. We then wait until we get our first call of the day; for example, a patient with chest pain. We would drive on blue lights to the patient and once we arrive, we would go in with all the necessary equipment. I would then conduct an assessment of the patient with support from my paramedic mentor, by gaining a history of the patient’s condition and obtaining basic observations such as oxygen levels and a picture of the patient’s heart (ECG). If we decide that the patient is having a heart attack, we will administer certain medications and transport the patient to hospital on blue lights.”
“We are likely to go to go to two more calls before our break, and they could be anything from a patient who has broken their leg, to someone who is breathless or someone giving birth.”
“No two jobs are the same in the ambulance service! In a 12 hour shift you may go to anywhere between 2 and 8 or 10 calls of a varying nature.”
• “Excellent communication skills – Paramedics have to be able to talk to everyone. Anyone could be your patient, so you need to be comfortable talking to people from all parts of society and all backgrounds to give them the best care possible.”
• “Ability to problem solve – Not everything is straight forward when you are a paramedic, you may need to be able to work out how to get a patient out of a tight location or figure out how best to manage a situation.”
• “Strong teamwork skills – paramedics often have to work with other members of the ambulance service such as emergency care assistants or other paramedics to ensure that a patient gets the care they need.”
• “Willingness to learn – Paramedics are always learning. You will get your initial education before you become a paramedic but even after that you ae always learning new pieces of information and skills.”
“Go for it! Be aware that it’s not all guts and glory. You will be exposed to people from all walks of life, but if you truly want to help people there is not better job.”
Thanks for your interest in Future Quest. This content is restricted and you need to login or register to access it. It’s quick and simple. Once you have registered you can login to view all restricted content each time you visit.
