Hi Robert, many thanks for your comment! Great you are starting with PTS, as it's a really good way to step into the ambulance boots and have a feel for the type of work you may get into. My shifts as a student vary as I am on relief, so I can have a 10 or 12-hour shift, starting as early as 6am. They also start from 7am, 9am, 10am and midday, but may differ from each Trust. So my latest end time can be 7.30am if I started in the evening the day before. However, when I went to HART, it was a 2 hour drive so yes at that time I did have to get up 3am to travel for 6am start but that was only for my placement :) Hope this helps and well done again x

wow! you go! I am so proud of you! That is such an amazing achievement. Please do keep in contact with your journey x

@@paramedstudy I’ve been watching your channel for years and I’ve always wanted to be in the position to do it but I couldn’t afford going to uni and not having full time work, I didn’t realise this opportunity was available near my area 😅 I’m very nervous and excited about it though! How did you get over the nerves of driving around the ambulance around areas you didn’t know so well, if you had any anxiety over that situation that is :)

@@madmad24680 HI Madman, thanks so much for the question and for the views x It's great that you have an opportunity so near by. Nerves are normal, I should know as I think I am the most nervous person about lol When I passed my blue light test, I was in the front seat the next day, attending CAT1 calls. Yes I was absolutely scared as I thought maybe I could have a few days watching but to be honest, it was the best thing for me. When that call came, for the next few weeks, I treated my driving like I was doing my test. Making sure my speed, comfort for the patient and safety was paramount. The nerves were always there, so I told whoever I worked with I was new, and this was what I could do. Over time, you say you are new, and this is what you can't do, as you get more experience if that makes sense. So in the seat, you take a breath, and you are in charge of your own driving. It is your driving licence so YOU will know if you feel it's too fast or not fast enough or safe enough. There are laws and exemptions that you have been taught, like using your lights for CAT1, CAt2, CAT3. Make sure that you follow what the training school has taught you, then you know you are following the law. Over the next few weeks, you will find your nerves are a little less, but still your perception of danger is there, which is good. It keeps you and your passengers safe. At the end of the day, I try to drive as though I have my most beloved family in the back. Look after them and all will be well x Hope this helps, but if not, I am happy to add more. I am sure that others who have been in the service a lot longer than I can add more of their own experiences and advice as I always like them to.

@@madmad24680 Hello Madman, I had sent a reply but it was lost on click. sorry x I was very nervous and still can be in areas I dont know due to my memory issues, that is why I concentrate on the onboard sat nav and the communication from my colleagues if they know a better route. After passing your blue light, you may, like me, have to do your first drive the very next day. I can say to you that this will be nerve-wracking for you as with most other people. Just make sure you are driving the safest way you can, like you have family on board. Dont think of what is happening behind you in the treatment area, other than ensuring you are not making their travel too bumpy, hard stopping or fast around corners etc. Remember the para could be standing up (without a seat belt) if something happens to warrent that action. After a few weeks, you should find yourself in a more confident but not overconfident position of driving. Let the para know its your first day, week or month driving. Remember, they had to learn too and have a first day etc. As long as you follow the highway code and remember your exceptions, you should be fine. I look forward to your update x

Hey I'm so happy for you that you've been accepted as an ACA. How is the training going? I've been wanting to pursue a paramedic career for a while now and can't afford to quit my job and go uni( if I'd even be accepted). Can I ask how you found/applied for your position/apprenticeship? Thanks!!!

Hey Jee, I have a video upload for you :) I mispronounced your name thinking it was Lee sorry x

Hello SP, thanks for the question and comments. It is possible to ask for flexi working, so that if you had commitments at certain times you may be able to work around them. However, this needs to be confirmed by HR and your OO and would require (i believe) for you to go onto Bank work. Whether you can go straight onto flexi or you would need to be full-time first of all, I am not sure. My advice would be to contact HR of the Trust you wish to join and ask them the same question as I would not want to give you incorrect information before you apply. Good luck with which way you wish to proceed x

Hi Jack, ohh exciting for you :) I can't tell you what each trust is like as the questions can differ. But I would suggest you read up on what is expected of you with the job, what the trust is like, where it covers etc and think about questions for them about the job, hours etc. Best of luck!!! Let me know how you get on :)

Hey Yunus, thanks for the question. Yes absolutely ECAs DO drive the ambulance :). ECAs work together with the paramedic and everything that a paramedic does within their own scope of training. That is all except that they do not administer drugs (except O2 and entenox) and they are not registered clinicians so it is the paramedic who will make the major decisions. ECAs take it in turns to drive on blue lights, to attend the patient, history take etc. When ECAs work with another ECA as a double crew, they have to make the decisions for the patient on their own, but will always have the backup of other paramedics and crew plus specialists, so they are never truly on their own. I hope this help with your answer. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks again for watching :)

Hey Ashley, answered your question on your other entry :))

Hi Mr SJA, :) It's never too late to ask. We as ECAs are only permitted to use NPs (nasopharyngeal) or OPs (oropharyngeal. Anything more than that, like an iGel or a Bogie is only for paramedics. We assist in that we can prep the item before the use. We certainly can insert OPs and NPs etc ourselves. Hope that helps. x

Hi Rob, thank you for your comments and for your interesting question. In a nut shell I really dont know. I would have thought that if a conviction was done and dusted so long ago a new slate as it were could be viewed. However, as I am not part of HR which I would imagine would have those answers, its not something I know about. So my advice would be to contact human resources (HR) of the ambulance trust you are wishing to join and ask them. Best of luck and please keep me posted as this may help others in the same situation x

Hi, just checking on how you got on?

@@paramedstudy oh i actually got on Great im in paramedic school now at university am doing the course for paramedic and i love it, i need to thank you, you inspired me!

@@cristiankabba6459 You Rock! well done for an amazing accomplishment. I will have to ask you for advice soon then xxx

@@paramedstudy And i Will be more than happy to help you! 😊And thank you a lot you were my inspiration!

@@cristiankabba6459 You are awesome :) Thanks for the comments. So glad that someone has been able to step up into a dream position. Keep in contact xxx

Hi Kajal, a few years before I was an ECA, I did PTS work (Patient Transport Services) which yes was an ACA for. Loved it and it helped with cementing my love to work for the ambulance service.

Hi, thanks for your questions. I didn't go to college and had basic O levels and CSEs. I just applied to SWAST and they train you up as long as you have the basic level of qualifications. Also, you would need a C1 category on your driving license. As I didn't meet the requirements first of all, due to dyslexia, I took and passed my functional skills in maths. Hope this helps. If not, please feel free to ask further and I will see what I can do to help :)

@@paramedstudy Hi Freyja, I love your videos and find them really helpful. Just reading what you've written above, do you know if I can apply if I have a Level 3 Health & Social care diploma? I haven't got my math GCSE so just wondered if you knew if I could apply with just my level 3 :) Thank you x

@@hayleybelton7075 Hi Hayley, good to hear from you and thank you for your comments and question. You can apply without any health qualifications. They do ask for Maths and English at GCSE level or at least functional skills. Best idea would be to email them with your qualifications and see if they would consider you with what you have. If you need to do Maths then do a free 16 week course part time (Best Training) I think was mine. To get a functional skill level 2 in Maths which is GCSE A-C equivalent. I had to do it as my maths was very bad due to my dyslexia and dyscalculia but it got me the job with a functional pass. Let me know how you get on and if you need any other help x

Hi Rob, I do not believe there is a direct route from an HCA to paramedic, however I do know of a person who has recently been an HCA and then was accepted in Bournemouth University to do the Paramedic training and she is already out on the road with us. Have a chat to your nearest University to see what qualifications you need. Hope this helps.x

@@paramedstudy thanks Freyja, I will do I'm a HCA at the moment but have always been interested in Emergency HCA and paramedicine . Will be great experience for applying to the course! Can you do Emergency healthcare assistant on the bank do you know?

@@robluker1599 Hi Rob, I know that you can do an Emergence Care Assistant on a bank, not sure about health care assistant, but Im guessing it maybe possible. Best thing is to ask about the job to get the most accurate answer then you know what you are getting into :) Best of luck !

@@paramedstudy thanks!

@@robluker1599 welcome x

Hi thanks for your comments. Yes I agree with you that now I have had more experience I can see that. I meant that Ecas do the same job in that they attend the patient, they drive and the do paperwork etc. They can not medicate as not have the paramedic registration x