Transferring Irish PHECC Paramedic license to a HCPC UK license?

subscriber · 29-08-2017 03:39PM #1

Hi there,

I`m looking to get in touch with anyone that has successfully transferred their Irish PHECC Paramedic license over to the UK HCPC license.

On talking to the HCPC in the UK, they have informed me that they don`t release any documents to the public on what minimum clinical standards and experience is required in order to successfully obtain Paramedic recognition within the UK. The applications are treated on a case to case to basis and are granted or refused on the candidates ability to demonstrate the required skills / clinical knowledge to satisfy the council.

Only issue with this would be that I`d be fairly confident that the skills of the PHECC Irish Paramedic fall below that of the HCPC UK Paramedic and the application costs 495 sterling. Quiet an expense if one was to come up short on the required standards.

Although the HCPC don`t actually release any document of the minimum clinical standard, it would be a massive help to talk to someone of who has been through the process before and learn what potential up-skilling would be required to achieve the standard and successfully transfer over the licence.

Thanks for your help.

Parapara2017 · 29-08-2017 04:25PM

Their paramedic level is basically like our AP level isnt it?

I know other big services like QAS in Australia will only think about considering you if you're an AP and they like some educational achievements such as a bachelors degree.

From what I understand there arent a whole lot of places PHECC paramedics can transfer to with just the PHECC paramedic level...

I'd be interested in hearing from those who moved overseas too though.

subscriber · 29-08-2017 07:51PM

Parapara2017 wrote: »

Their paramedic level is basically like our AP level isnt it?

I know other big services like QAS in Australia will only think about considering you if you're an AP and they like some educational achievements such as a bachelors degree.

From what I understand there arent a whole lot of places PHECC paramedics can transfer to with just the PHECC paramedic level...

I'd be interested in hearing from those who moved overseas too though.

I'd imagine you are pretty correct on this... It's always rumoured to have been the case over the past few years also, I have heard many stories of Irish PHECC Paramedics failing to achieve the standard of recognition for the HCPC when attempting to transfer but alas, these have never been first hand face to face accounts, more rumour mill.... but I wouldn't Imagine it's too far off the mark.

When speaking on the phone to the HCPC earlier today, they were pushing me to just go ahead and apply and then if there were educational shortcomings or up- skillings needed that the HCPC would organise this for me. I highly highly doubt this would ever be the case... This would surely be the responsibility of the candidate themselves to achieve the standard, I mean could you imagine a HCPC UK technican coming to Ireland and applying to PHECC for recognition as as Paramedic and them turning around and saying "oh we will provide you with the up-skilling you need to to become a Paramedic here in Ireland"...it just wouldn't happen. The responsibility of these councils is to provide recognition and registration ...not training (which is a separate entity).

I am very surprised though that the HCPC do not have a thorough document outlining the clinical and educational standards for achieving Paramedic recognition in the UK. I find it completely blizzare!! In comparison with the Irish system, PHECC do provide these documents although state that each candidate and application is assessed on their individual merits and capabilities which is absolutely fine I think..... But at least there is a guideline standard there to aim for unlike the UK where we are completely left to guess what the standard may be and take a shot in the dark as to whether we will be successful or not...All to the cost of 495 sterling.

Anyway, more of a rant than anything else. I have this question up on the UK Paramedic forum also and will post back again should have any news.

Parapara2017 · 30-08-2017 12:17AM

I think the issue is basically that under AP just isn't really skilled enough as it needs to be / should be.

In comparison to other countries PHECC paramedics are almost like EMTs here in what they're allowed to do and treat...

If you're an AP I think transitioning to other countries is pretty straight forward. Especially if you have additional qualifications.

Afaik (or personally i think) there isn't much point in trying to move abroad with a PHECC Paramedic qualification. (I've read on here too that PHECC can be tricky if you try come back with a foreign qualification to convert it to AP) You might as well stay and up skill to AP, you get years of experience prior and APs are well trained and globally recognised. In the meantime you could also do a bachelors degree like the one in UL to add to the CV.

Wanderlust91 · 13-09-2017 05:35PM

Always wondered, well I had a few people tell me I could return from the UK with my degree and register as an advanced Paramedic. My reply has always been, surely even on the basis of a successful degree where you can register with the HCPC as a paramedic, when returning too Ireland, surely PHECC couldn't register you as an advanced paramedic even if the the UK level translates over like that in Ireland. I had the impression you need experience on the road and as a practitioner alongside a qualification. I had some fellow students say you can register as an AP when you qualify in England back in Ireland, I said surely not without clinical and road experience, technically you're a grad paramedic in the UK after completing the university route for two years, just like they have in Australia. I know myself, even if my future qualification translated to AP in Ireland, id want road and clinical experience for a few years before receiving that status. Ps, wishing the best to the new NAS student paramedic class.

murf313 · 08-10-2017 01:54PM

I successfully obtained HCPC Paramedic registration although I am an AP, so it was a bit more straight forward.
In my opinion, you would be only wasting your money if you applied as a phecc Paramedic. The phecc paramedic level roughly translates to UK technician level bar the amount of drugs they are allowed to administer.
In fact the paramedic course prior to 2008 was the IHCD technician course.
As someone posted above, get your AP course under you belt (for free) and then you will be able to HCPC registration with no worry about losing £495.

Wanderlust91 · 09-10-2017 07:25PM

Have to agree, speaking to a lecturer of mine, he told me Irish paramedic is tech level here.

Mycroft H · 10-10-2017 11:45PM

subscriber wrote: »

I'd imagine you are pretty correct on this... It's always rumoured to have been the case over the past few years also, I have heard many stories of Irish PHECC Paramedics failing to achieve the standard of recognition for the HCPC when attempting to transfer but alas, these have never been first hand face to face accounts, more rumour mill.... but I wouldn't Imagine it's too far off the mark.

When speaking on the phone to the HCPC earlier today, they were pushing me to just go ahead and apply and then if there were educational shortcomings or up- skillings needed that the HCPC would organise this for me. I highly highly doubt this would ever be the case... This would surely be the responsibility of the candidate themselves to achieve the standard, I mean could you imagine a HCPC UK technican coming to Ireland and applying to PHECC for recognition as as Paramedic and them turning around and saying "oh we will provide you with the up-skilling you need to to become a Paramedic here in Ireland"...it just wouldn't happen. The responsibility of these councils is to provide recognition and registration ...not training (which is a separate entity).

I am very surprised though that the HCPC do not have a thorough document outlining the clinical and educational standards for achieving Paramedic recognition in the UK. I find it completely blizzare!! In comparison with the Irish system, PHECC do provide these documents although state that each candidate and application is assessed on their individual merits and capabilities which is absolutely fine I think..... But at least there is a guideline standard there to aim for unlike the UK where we are completely left to guess what the standard may be and take a shot in the dark as to whether we will be successful or not...All to the cost of 495 sterling.

Anyway, more of a rant than anything else. I have this question up on the UK Paramedic forum also and will post back again should have any news.

The HCPC Paramedic is a somewhat odd entity. If you're used to the tight regulation of PHECC; ie. working on behalf of a PHECC approved organisation before implementing guidelines, being privileged to practice, then the HCPC is a bit of a different beast. The HCPC are very hesitant to define an upper scope for the Paramedic, they leave that very much to the individual, their insurers and the employer. You are the registered HCP.

It's probably why the HCPC are a bit more vague with the definition.

There's more autonomy in the role; you don't have to be privileged by an organisation to practice; you're an independent health care professional in your own right. You can acquire drugs and start your own company (mind you the CQC would be interested etc).

At a minimum they're an ALS Paramedic with much the same scope of an AP here.

At a maximum? There's a number of paramedic working in advanced roles here; minor surgery is possible (finger thoracocentesis in my trust for the Advanced Paras) at the roadside. Lots of Paramedics working in Primary and Urgent care in Advanced Practitioner type roles. There's a push for independent prescribing for those paras with appropriate Masters level education. This is currently with the Department of Health. Hugh scope for non-ambulance type work here.

This is all allowed by a rather loose definition of the standards of proficiency by the HCPC. Essentially, you must be able to work safely and effectively within your scope of practice. Notice, it's your scope of practice, not the Paramedic's scope of practice.

Transferring Irish PHECC Paramedic license to a HCPC UK license?

Comments