[antichrist]

There is no guarantee that PHECC will recognise these courses once completed. If you're that eager to become a paramedic then why not apply to one of the ambulance trusts in the UK?

Doing it privatly, you could be looking at working for 2100 hours for free (or close enough to it). A private provider approached the HSE enquiring about putting students on a frontline ambulance for 1 year internship for free!!! I'm sorry but shifts are scarce for some of our own lads...I wouldn't be willing to allow a member of the public to take these shifts too!!

[BoonDoc]

The advantage of these non PHECC paramedic courses is that they allow training to gain employment as a paramedic outside of Ireland.

To be honest, how many PHECC Paramedics will HSE hire in the next ten years? At least there are options here in Ireland to gain training that will get jobs. Even if they are in the oil industry or other offshore paramedic options.

Also, the PHECC paramedic is not up to the same standard as the US or AREMT paramedic training.

[paraletic]

Originally Posted by BoonDoc

Also, the PHECC paramedic is not up to the same standard as the US or AREMT paramedic training.

Really? Because I think prehospital care standards are excellent in Ireland. Irish paramedics have a good skill set , Irish ap standard is considered very high.

[coolmoose]

Originally Posted by paraletic

Really? Because I think prehospital care standards are excellent in Ireland. Irish paramedics have a good skill set , Irish ap standard is considered very high.

The training from here is considered good, but the skillsets don't match up to a lot of grades abroad. For instance in the US, Canada, South Africa etc. a lot advanced grade paramedics (varies by state/jurisdiction) can perform external transcutaneous pacing, mechanical & chemical cardioversion, external jugular cannulation, rapid sequence intubation, nasal intubation, sedation etc. These are not just additional skills, but involve considerable extra education and skills training. The skillsets of an NREMT-P and an AREMT-P, or Canadian ACP (Paramedic II) are relatively similar. SA CCAs & ECPs can also perform retrograde intubation, apply PASGs etc.

So in that sense, Irish P & AP don't meet international standards, but in time I have no doubt that the skillset and knowledge base of both P & AP will increase in scope. Also skillsets generally reflect the systems which they apply to, therefore SA ECPs etc would need better trauma management skills and interventions based on workload from RTAs and stabbings/shootings etc.

[BoonDoc]

Originally Posted by paraletic

Really? Because I think prehospital care standards are excellent in Ireland. Irish paramedics have a good skill set , Irish ap standard is considered very high.

I never said that the training is substandard here. I just said that the PHECC Paramedics are not up to the international standard for paramedics as CoolMoose mentioned.

A paramedic should be able to cannulate, run cardiac casualties and intubate. The PHECC Paramedic is only slightly above the EMT-Basic level found elsewhere in the world.

The PHECC AP is something completely different. They have a profound understanding of paramedic science much more than an international paramedic.

My only point is that it is great to see options here in Ireland to get certification as a non-Irish Paramedic that will get you a job outside of Ireland.

[BX 19]

Best bet to do it privately is to do Paramedic Science through on one of the UK colleges and receive NHS funding towards the fees.

[paraletic]

Originally Posted by BoonDoc

A paramedic should be able to cannulate, run cardiac casualties and intubate. The PHECC Paramedic is only slightly above the EMT-Basic level found elsewhere in the world.

The PHECC AP is something completely different. They have a profound understanding of paramedic science much more than an international paramedic.

My only point is that it is great to see options here in Ireland to get certification as a non-Irish Paramedic that will get you a job outside of Ireland.

I agree (sort of). Irish paramedics have quite a high skill level and most paramedics have a very indepth knowledge of prehospital care. However they have been held back from their full potential (which is being gradualy rectified due to the ongoing review of paramedic practice).

Yes paramedics in ireland need to be allowed a greater skill set (Although in my opinion irish parAmedics are great).

And Irish APs are ( in my opinion) are a level above most international standards. (because of their education - not their "skill set").

I hate seeing threads encouraging people to leave Ireland. Although I understand the frustration of getting into the HSE. If you want to get a great qualification in prehospital care, then Ireland is the place to be. However if all your want is to do is work in the ambulance service then, yeah, uk maybe the best option. Only because the Irish ambulance service is not an easy place to get into (not because it is inferior).

[coolmoose]

Originally Posted by paraletic

And Irish APs are ( in my opinion) are a level above most international standards. (because of their education - not their "skill set").

Advanced practice is a 3rd level education in most developed countries, resulting in a PGCert, PGDip, MSc etc. in paramedic science/practice or intensive care practice. Advanced education in some other countries far exceeds the AP education curriculum.

Saying that, the PGDip here is a great qualification, don't get me wrong, but to say it is way above most international standards would be incorrect.

[craftylady72]

Ok guys the EMT course is starting this month in my area,I really want to do it but it's gonna put big financial strain on me & my family. Am I mad? Is it just a pipe dream? I really want to work as an EMT and hopefully a paramedic one day. My present job is slowly killing me so I need to make a change. I'm just looking for advice please???

[civdef]

Are you in a voluntary organisation?

[miju]

Originally Posted by craftylady72

Ok guys the EMT course is starting this month in my area,I really want to do it but it's gonna put big financial strain on me & my family. Am I mad? Is it just a pipe dream? I really want to work as an EMT and hopefully a paramedic one day. My present job is slowly killing me so I need to make a change. I'm just looking for advice please???

Work for EMT's is VERY thin on the ground if you are doing the course just to try get a job I would advise not to.Join a voluntary would be the way to go

[BoonDoc]

Originally Posted by craftylady72

Ok guys the EMT course is starting this month in my area,I really want to do it but it's gonna put big financial strain on me & my family. Am I mad? Is it just a pipe dream? I really want to work as an EMT and hopefully a paramedic one day. My present job is slowly killing me so I need to make a change. I'm just looking for advice please???

Hi Crafty,

Someone told me that there are 300 new PHECC EMTs churned out every year. Do you think that many of them have a job?

The ambulance companies will be happy to take your money for courses but they will not give you a skill set that will get you employment here in Ireland.

If you want to change your career and work in prehospital care then I agree with this other posts saying that you should work in the voluntary organisations. They will send you to the PHECC EFR and PHECC EMT courses.

If you want a paramedic job then you are going to have to look to the UK. They do take part time paramedics. You can go work a week every few months to supplement your income.

There are also jobs offshore in the oil industry where you can work three weeks on and three weeks off throughout the year.

For those jobs you definitely need the Offshore Medics course from the UK.


There are options out there for getting work. You might need to look outside of the Irish HSE to do it.

[DUBDUBDUB]

If you can go to the states or UK, do it. Why take the risk on an untried qual? In all honesty your training level as a Paramedic would be recognised worldwide for sure if you trained in one of those countries. With regards to training in Ireland,PHECC AP is the only level thats really recognised worldwide but really you have to be in HSE/DFB as a Paramedic for about 2 years post qual before they let you even sit the AP course.

So thats 2 years to Paramedic, another 2 years on the road, 12 month AP course, internship to get a qual that you can get elsewhere in less time.

I repeat, PHECC Paramedic level is really only of use to you in Ireland, if you wanna go elsewhere, get an internationally recognised qual