This year I am officially starting my training to become a Paramedic.
It has been a serious ambition of mine for some 10 years now to leave my IT career behind me and join the medical profession.
My introduction started in November 2008 when I was employed by the East of England Ambulance Service as a software developer, and over the past 16 months I have been promoted to senior developer, and am currently the interim Development Manager for the Ambulance Service.
Since April 2009, I have been a community first responder for the ambulance service which involves being clinically trained in BLS (Basic life support) This includes CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) AED (Automated External Defibrillation) and the diagnosis and treatment of many life threatening conditions.
Should the ambulance service be unable to get to a patient in an agreed amount of time, ambulance control will activate a community first responder to be first on scene and control the situation until a Paramedic arrives.
While working for the ambulance service and responding within my community, I also volunteer to work 12 hour shifts with APRU, Advanced Paramedic Response Unit.
I ride out with APRU, call sign 222, as and when I can, this is the ambulance services Critical Care Paramedic car. They are a team of 2 advanced Paramedics. 222 specialises in pre-hospital care and trauma for both adults and children (paediatrics), they are a registered charity and rely on public donations to enable them to use advanced equipment and carry pre-hospital drugs.
This is a fantastic opportunity for me, as I get to learn many skills beyond the level of a community first responder, and gain priceless experience on the road.
As I have to wait 2 years before I can apply to become a student ambulance paramedic (I need to clear the 3 points on my driving license, and get my Maths GSCE at C grade) I have decided to join Norvic Ambulance, a private organisation that will enable me to gain a recognised clinical qualification, and gain even more experience.
I will be starting my Norvic EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) course in May this year, and upon passing my assessment, I can work part time for Norvic as a technician.
I will blog more about my training in the near future. But for now, I will continue to respond, ride out, and work my way through my Paramedic bible, Emergency care on the streets by Nancy Caroline.
Joe&
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