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Paramedics provide first aid and life support treatment in emergency situations and transport sick and injured people who require skilled treatment.

Main tasks

  • Briefs other medical staff when handing over the patient, and completes patient report forms describing the patient’s condition and any treatment provided.
  • Transports and accompanies patients who either require or potentially require skilled treatment whilst travelling.
  • Resuscitates and/or stabilises patient using relevant techniques, equipment and drugs.
  • Assesses the nature of injuries, provides first aid treatment and ascertains appropriate method of conveying patient.
  • Drives ambulance or accompanies driver to respond to calls for assistance at accidents, emergencies and other incidents.

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Salary and earnings

Potential earnings

£66,244.80

Average earnings

£44,660.00

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Skills & knowledge

The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Psychology

Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.