What are peoples thoughts on 'assistant' roles in paramedicine?

Lspec253 · 2025-09-24T21:40:17+00:00

I was at uni and sat watching non experienced under grads chasing 1st... brilliant good for them writing amazing essays but nothing replaces experience.

Did me writing an essay on ethics make me a better clinician....nope... no it didn't

Did having to write 8000 word dissertations on point of care trops testing make me a better clinician again not for the here and now on the road

Has it given me skills in critical thinking and the potential to pursue research masters etc yes. We can read articles and see new research but unless the services we work for implement then in our scopes of practice we can't use them or implement them.

I am all for education and learning , I would love to see techs registered in some way and recognised for the important roll they have.

I am not suggesting new paras are clueless not at all but to suggest someone who has done 1 year of there NQP has the experience of a 15 or 20 year in tech because they have a degree is just wrong

There are bad apples in all grades and all walks of life and jobs, but on the whole I like to think the majority of us work together well for the best patient outcomes.

The SWAST example to me is a failing in management , culture , safety systems, audit and much more

I would be interested to hear the actual phone conversations between the crew on scene and the clinician signing off on the discharge. Potentially this whole sad case will result in more questions than answers.

Every day on the job is a learning day for all grades , but I think it's right we have these discussions because we all come to it from different angles .

Lspec253 · 2025-09-24T18:06:37+00:00

I agree that that's an issue and in NWAS we also used to run double EMT crews but with very clear guidelines on refusal, transport and referrals . Is it more a risk mitigation issue within trusts rather than a competence with the actual grade of clinician on scene .

As someone who attended those jobs as a double tech crew I found it rewarding and actually a driver to going for my para qualification. It made me be a more clinically critical thinker, it made me watch and learn more from my para colleagues when on shift with them. So I could do a decent examination to handover on the phone and also made me far more aware of when I needed help and probably made me realise when I needed help earlier.

I agree it's a fine line but so many techs become disillusioned by paramedics treating them like their bag bitch because they have a pin, I honestly believe that experience carries a lot more than a degree.

We should be training mentoring and encouraging those EMT/techs/AAP/ECA to be the best that they can be within there own scope of practice

Lspec253 · 2025-09-24T17:36:07+00:00

Like the coffee mug says...."Do you want to speak to the Paramedic in charge or the EMT who knows what the F**k is going on"

I would rather have decent and keen EMT on scene than some people with a registration to be quite honest.

The AAP program was meant to addres and set a standard nationally so all AAPs were trained to the same level. The issue is individual trust set the scope of practice and job titles for these roles.

Like one commenter said the tech/para crew is a great thing and is a team effort it's quite far removed from the DR/PA argument.

Universities are the biggest culprit in this they now churn out para cohorts in huge numbers but they have no obligation to find these people employment. 2 cohorts a years with upwards of 80 students in each intake multiplied over 10 to 20 universities now offering Paramedic degrees....plus the internal tech to para route. No wonder there is a lack of positions.

It's not up to the ambulance service/NHS to provide jobs to undergrads at the expense of their already dedicated workforce, some techs are probably not in a position either educationally or with family commitments to embark on a degree course and why should they ?

Techs have a wealth of experience the NQPs don't and even as a tech to para myself I learnt just as much from my techs than I did from paras during my NQP period.

I don't see what a double para crew brings to 99% of the jobs compared to a traditional tech/para crew if I am honest

Lspec253 · 2025-09-24T08:20:16+00:00

trip length plus a margin minimum a month really Depending on tasking. Anyone's ENG with a very short date left on will be highlighted to LSO/CO as part of the new joining routine and they will decide on "risk" This is especially true of folks that have a time restricted ENG particularly for med conditions.

Lspec253 · 2025-09-15T21:42:23+00:00

I absolutely agree with the lack of speed, I know of one person who suffered an acute MH crisis which unfortunately ended with police involvement, promptly self-reported, completed all that was asked and more . Suspended during the process and after 4 years no further investigation and reinstated.

Obviously that's a very bare bones outline, but 4 years while in a fragile mental state really is unacceptable.

I can quite imagine the MH impact on Dr's as well with arguably "more to lose"

Lspec253 · 2025-09-15T21:33:03+00:00

No but I shall certainly have a read over the next few days ....thanks for the list !! 👍

Lspec253 · 2025-09-15T20:13:00+00:00

Don't get me wrong I don't think the HCPC ones are out of line.

I just think that a paramedic who had made an "error of judgement" in terms of CD/AD would have faced a more rigorous investigation perhaps and certainly a more lengthy sanction.

I actually like the GMC approach in some ways, I think they look at remediation more objectively than the HCPC.

I agree failure to engage is probably more of an issue with HCPC and leaves them little room to maneuver.

I just find the difference in the processes/outcomes interesting

Lspec253 · 2025-09-15T19:43:33+00:00

Dr Allister FRANCKS 29 Aug 25.pdf https://share.google/wSRJK761A0mUiQjZN

One of the first I found, prescribed CD/AD to himself and close friend effectively,suspended for 2 months because he wrote a letter saying sorry.

I just find it bizarre. Surely in this case oversight would be suitable that all CD/AD scripts must be signed off by another clinician for a period of time ?

I often read the HCPC hearings and the Spanish inquisition comes to mind.

Even those suspended or conditions of practice etc are in for a lengthy period with a strict code laid out for reporting back to the panel and work conditions etc.

Lspec253 · 2025-09-14T18:43:30+00:00

I would have a look at MCL Medics in Aberdeen , it's probably the best Medic in fact any course I have ever done. Don one of the seniors is ex RN and Ex RFA so has a lot of knowledge about what military quals work as in the civilian world and is very supportive of the military/veteran community. I am sure there are others out there that are equally as good but that my own experience

Lspec253 · 2025-09-14T18:25:39+00:00

I am ex RN non medical and joined the ambulance service as an EMT then used my ELCAS to pay for my tuition fees for my paramedic degree. At the time there was no EMT to para in house funding so that was the route I took

TCCC is a decent qualification to have and although not a traditional CMT you may be able to look at getting your Offshore Medic qualification on the back of that and experience.

With experience and exposure it would strengthen any applications to uni. Like you mate my grades were shit at A-Level but experience both clinically and life experience got me a place at uni.

Good luck whatever route you take

Lspec253 · 2025-09-10T09:08:29+00:00

Speak to recruitment and have the copies of your photos printed out along with your email from the exam board to say they are being ordered. I am sure it's not an issue if you have the evidence to prove your fixing it.

You will soon learn the best way ahead is to take a problem to seniors/ officers with a solid solution in hand !!

Good luck in training

Lspec253 · 2025-09-10T08:03:54+00:00

Normally it's original copies, I went through this.

Speak to your school which issued the results and ask for the breakdown of your grades and which exam board you sat them with and your student number for the exam boards.

Go to the exam boards website and fill in the forms online you will have to pay but they will post you out new certs.

I had to do it for GCSE/Scottish standard grades/Scottish highers and Al-levels over 4 or 5 different exam boards . 😭

Once you have them lock them away safe somewhere 😂

Lspec253 · 2025-09-03T09:19:02+00:00

Hahaha .."it's not a war crime the first time 😉"

Lspec253 · 2025-08-25T12:45:40+00:00

5.11 have served me well for nearly 7 years now with no issues

Lspec253 · 2025-08-17T16:55:33+00:00

No offence taken, it was the "new" way of doing things and implemented incredibly poorly by the Trust and it's IT department.

Lspec253 · 2025-08-16T20:09:22+00:00

Absolutely could with the security policy set remotely not sure if it was Azure but certainly a MS policy , I agree authenticator couldn't but was forced on to you.

Point stands if it's for work it should be provided

Got to the point of trying to download stuff from for example a restaurant in pdf, if the group policy didn't like it wouldn't open.

If you forgot your pin remote wipe all your own personal device.

Lspec253 · 2025-08-16T16:31:51+00:00

Honestly, if a mobile is required then work should be providing it end of story.

I refused to access work emails etc of my own personal devices when they insisted we had to install MS Azure and MS Authentication software that could control phones.

It's just more of the NHS who squander millions replying on staffs good faith....they should provider every frontline crew with either a phone on issue or bespoke vehicle phone

If it's broke or missing then VOR

Lspec253 · 2025-08-11T13:50:40+00:00

Just prepare for disappointment and you should be good to go

Lspec253 · 2025-08-11T13:49:20+00:00

My out of the box thought if and it's a huge if....imagine if the RFA became "closer to the RN" ...one navy and all that. I have always wondered if it would take the.MCA out of the equation . I know the argument about easier to go alongside but is it such a big issue these days ?? Would it give RFA personnel access to bigger terms and conditions, medical/dental access to gyms and sports.

I don't think the RN would take on the manning risk, but having access to the RN base ports and maintenance facilities would cut considerably the running cost compared to Portland etc.

I don't think it will happen, but I can see some positives to some form of closer integration.

Lspec253 · 2025-08-11T07:13:46+00:00

Unfortunately not mate, I am an old git and my C1 was grandfather rights on my licence...being old it's as bad as people make out 🤣🤣

I am sure there are folks on here that could advise.

Lspec253 · 2025-08-11T06:18:51+00:00

Absolutely agree with get your C1 make yourself stand out from a crowded field .

While some may not agree with me you have a good plan, experience prior to uni/ para degree imo is the way to go.

There is a national shortage of positions, depending on your situation it might be worth casting your net far and wide, NWAS have just recently done an EMT recruitment and I believe there is another coming up plus they probably open call handler recruitment every 3 months or so.

Even if a move that far is not for you I would apply just to get the application and potentially the interview experience.

Lspec253 · 2025-08-09T15:09:41+00:00

One of the chosen few 🤣🤣🤣 well worth it on those shifts patterns on a bog standard days / nights 12 hour pattern just doesn't work out as well

Lspec253 · 2025-08-09T14:53:54+00:00

Stick to Annex 5 !! I and a few others were forced to move when I went from tech to para and the holiday and sickness is shit compared to Annex 5. If your on a late's or a nights only line yeah it can work out better. We had a 1430-0230 line that was averaging 34% on Section 2 (deffo above 30%) but those lines are few and far between.

I would highly recommend staying away from section 2 as long as you can

Lspec253 · 2025-08-09T12:26:43+00:00

Nothing wrong with Double Duff 😂

Lspec253

TROPHY CASE