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Job overview

Change your life to save lives – career pathway to Paramedic

If you’ve always thought about a career in the NHS but life simply got in the way, or you’ve recently started thinking about career options, we have the perfect development opportunity for you at South Western Ambulance Service on our Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) to Paramedic Pathway programme.

Our programme offers a varied career journey over a period of 6 years, initially working as a 999 Call Handler (EMD), before spending some time working on the frontline as an Emergency Care Assistant working on an ambulance, supporting a registered paramedic in caring for our patients. This will then lead to entry to the Paramedic apprenticeship degree programme with Cumbria University, during which you will earn whilst you learn and obtain a degree in Paramedic Science and professional registration as a Newly Qualified Paramedic. Progression through each elements of the programme will be guaranteed, subject to you demonstrating the capability and competency required within each role. 

Your Background

We are looking for people to join us who are caring, compassionate and good at communicating. Particular skills and requirements we are looking for include:

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work calmly under pressure
• Be prepared to work shifts (24/7 rota providing cover on weekends, nights and bank holidays)
• GCSE Grade A-C in Maths and English, or the equivalent Functional Skills certificate

Main duties of the job

For further information, please view the attached 'EMD to Para Full Advert' document. 

Please note, if shortlisted for this role, you will be invited to an assessment centre.

Assessments for shortlisted candidates will take place on

24th September in Exeter

25^th September in Bristol

Working for our organisation

Working for us is an experience like no other.  We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England of 10,000 square miles and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.  

At the heart of our beautiful and diverse region we employ over 6000 people and are supported by over 575 volunteers.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples’ lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills, resources and development you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles at a higher pay grade and enjoy continuous professional development.

Benefits

• Competitive NHS salary
• A standard working week of 37.5 hours
• Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Career and salary progression
• Car leasing scheme
• Free parking across Trust sites
• Cycle-to-work and other salary sacrifice schemes
• Staff networks
• Access to a wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK