Frequently Asked Questions

Epilepsy. Q. I am diagnosed as Epileptic. How will this affect me becoming a Paramedic?

A. As Accident and Emergency fleet vehicles are over 3.5 tonnes (but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes), the category C1 is required on the driver's licence and is classed as a group 2 vocational LGV/PVC entitlement.

The group 2 medical regulations, with regards to epilepsy, are as follows:

*       Epileptic attacks are the most frequent medical cause of collapse at the wheel. NB: If within a 24 hour period more than one epileptic attack occurs, these are treated as a "single event" for the purpose of applying the epilepsy regulations. Epilepsy includes all events: major, minor and auras. Regulations require a driver to remain seizure-free for 10 years since the last attack without anticonvulsant medication.

*       For first unprovoked epileptic seizure/solitary fit, regulations require five (5) years off driving from the date of the seizure if the licence holder has undergone recent assessment by a neurologist and there are no clinical factors or investigation results (e.g. EEG, brain scan) which indicate that the risk of a further seizure is greater than 2% per annum. They should have taken no anti-epilepsy medication throughout the five-year period immediately prior

These regulations are contained in the publication 'At a glance Guide to the current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive' issued by the DVLA Drivers Medical Group and found here:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical/ataglance.aspx.  For further advice about these medical regulations,  contact either a doctor or the DVLA.

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Diabetic. Q. I am a type 1 diabetic on insulin, would this affect me getting a job as a paramedic?

A.  As far as we are aware the law is that a type 1 diabetic is not allowed to drive blue light vehicles, however, you should contact your local ambulance service to find out if they would still employ you as a paramedic.  You can find details of ambulance services on http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/AmbulanceTrustListing.aspx

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Q. I am currently a Band 5 staff nurse hoping to pursue a career as a paramedic. I understand the Paramedic Science course is two (2) years, but wanted to know if I would still need to complete that as I am already a healthcare professional?

 

A. As with any other registered profession, entry to paramedic registration is via a higher education programme, either at Dip. HE or B.Sc levels.  There are some universities offering the B.Sc and it is expected that within the next five (5) years most will probably move to that level. 

You may find that there are universities that offer some APEL against your nursing diploma, but you would need to make further enquiries about that direct to universities which offer paramedic programmes.  A list of these can be found on the HPC website:  

  http://www.hpc-uk.org/education/programmes/register/ 

There has traditionally been a route to paramedic registration for existing ambulance staff who are not paramedics (i.e. existing ambulance technicians).  However this is becoming less available meaning you will be unlikely to access this route if you are not already an NHS ambulance service employee.  Alternatively you may find jobs on offer on clinical triage units within ambulance services; these are sections (usually in the control room) where health professionals such as paramedics, nurses, doctors etc provide clinical information and support to paramedics in the field.

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Q. Are Burasies available for Student Paramedics?

A. At present the Paramedic Profession IS NOT PART OF THE NHS BURSARY SCHEME. Some Higher Education Institute programme providers, in partnership with the Ambulance Service placement providers, do provide a student bursary. This is on an Individual programme basis and not National. Individuals would need to check with the Education provider if a bursary is available.

 

 

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