Paramedic Apprenticeship

Pathways to Become a Paramedic

South Western  Ambulance Service (SWAST) currently recruit to the Paramedic Degree apprenticeship to train our future paramedic workforce. We recruit up to 90 paramedic apprentices per year, which will soon be up to 120 per year, via the routes outlined below. For the Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship aspect, the tuition fees are funded by SWAST and you will receive a salary relevant to the job role throughout the apprenticeship.

There are currently several routes to become a Paramedic with SWAST:

·       Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)

·       Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) - NB this is an internal SWAST route for our ECAs

·       Level 4 Certificate in Higher Education at University of Cumbria

 

apprenticeship pathways

After the Apprenticeship – Paramedic Preceptorship

Following completion of the paramedic apprenticeship the process is:

    • Last day of face to face learning
    • Approx. 8-12 weeks after last day of face to face learning, the university board ratifies grades and advises HCPC of those eligible for registration
    • Apprentice then applies for HCPC registration
    • HCPC approve the registration; apprentice informs their County Business Manager (CBM) and provides evidence of HCPC registration
    • CBM completes change form to change from apprentice paramedic to Newly Qualified Paramedic (NQP) and uplift to Band 5
    • 1-day SWAST induction covering local processes
    • 2-year NQP learning consolidation preceptorship period begins; first year as an NQP1 then second year as an NQP2
    • Successful completion of the preceptorship will then enable uplift to Band 6

1. Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) to Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship

The trust recruits to this pathway once a year (between July and September).

Successful applicants join the trust as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher working in our 999 call centres (in Bristol and Exeter) and spend 18 months within this service before training to be an Emergency Care Assistant (ECA).

In this time, they need to obtain a full C1 licence. ECA's work alongside a qualified paramedic for 18 months on an ambulance attending medical emergencies. During this time, they will also complete a 6-month level 4 bridging course that provides them with the entry criteria to apply for the Paramedic degree apprenticeship.

This will be obtained while still operational as practical hours need to be logged. After 18 months as an ECA they can apply to the Paramedic degree apprenticeship which will take a further two years to complete. 

2. Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) then Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship

Internal SWAST ECA Route

This is like the pathway above but excludes the 18 months working as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher. Individuals apply directly to become an Emergency Care Assistant and work in this post for two years before applying for the Paramedic degree apprenticeship.

Successful candidates will complete the 6-month Level 4 bridging course (self-funded) before starting the 2-year apprenticeship.

To apply for an ECA vacancy they will need to have a full clean driver’s license that enables them to drive a vehicle over 3500kg, otherwise known as a C1 category licence. 

Click here to find out more.

3. Level 4 to Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship (this one start directly via university)

The new programme with Cumbria University is comprised of one year's full-time study with Cumbria to gain the Level 4 certificate in pre-hospital emergency care which would be self-funded by yourself.

During this year you would attend placement days within either Somerset, Wiltshire, or Dorset.

At the end of the 12-month programme you would be offered a role as a ECA within SWAST and then after a period of consolidation you would enrol onto a two-year Paramedic apprenticeship which is funded by the trust.

During your time as a ECA and training as an apprentice you would be paid at band 3.

Applications for this pathway close in April 2024 and must be submitted through the university here.

To be eligible for the apprenticeships listed above, you must be able to provide evidence, at the time of application, of the necessary qualifications (GCSE Grade 4-9 in Maths and English Language, or equivalent Level 2 Functional Skills certificates – more information on functional skills can be found here. 

All vacancies, aside from the level 4, are advertised through the NHS Jobs website. 

Thoughts From Our Recent Paramedic Graduates

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