NAS student paramedic recruitment 2019

Af1493 · 29-01-2019 3:05pm #1

Anybody know if the ambulance service will be recruiting for student paramedics anytime soon?

kamiljkamil · 28-03-2019 8:20am

Af1493 wrote: »

Anybody know if the ambulance service will be recruiting for student paramedics anytime soon?

They have just advertised. Closing date is 12th of April @ 12:00

kamiljkamil · 28-03-2019 6:15pm

Went through the process myself last year, didn’t get through unfortunately. Another chance is nice. Anyone else going for it ?

kamiljkamil · 28-03-2019 6:16pm

Went through the process myself last year, didn’t get through unfortunately. Another chance is nice. Anyone else going for it ?

frankhon · 29-03-2019 12:22pm

I'm seriously considering it. I would absolutely love the job, and I'd be happy to go anywhere in the country to do it, but the pay and unrostered hours are making me think twice about whether or not it could work.

kamiljkamil · 29-03-2019 7:15pm

frankhon wrote: »

I'm seriously considering it. I would absolutely love the job, and I'd be happy to go anywhere in the country to do it, but the pay and unrostered hours are making me think twice about whether or not it could work.

I’m in the same boat as yourself. No problem being assigned anywhere, but the fact that you could be doing any shift without much notice is a difficult one. You can’t really plan anything. I’d love the job myself.

GF6 · 30-03-2019 4:59pm

As this is the first time you have the leaving cert removed in lieu of 2 years ICO service, you're going to see a lot of present NAS EMT staff applying for this campaign.
It's the first one under UCC but that doesn't really effect the course too much. (I'd imagine)

The hours are long and the course in intense enough. A lot of people find it very stressful if they're placed in a station far from home. Especially those with kids.
Even having kids at being stationed near to home is tough because you might never finish on time. Could do a 12 hour shift, i.e 6am-6pm, 8am-8pm, or nights and towards the end of your shift you'll get a call and it'll take you one or two hours over, sometimes more.

They're trying to be more accomodating lately, and generally try get you closer to home but if you apply for a preference in the south region, don't be surprised if you apply for cork and get something like waterford or kerry.
The NAS regions are pretty big. Some people end up commuting long distances each day.

Being on relief too they can throw you between stations in the county or region. You generally get your roster on friday for the following week, some places you might get it up to 2-3 weeks in advanced if you're very lucky.

Just some thoughts that come to mind when I read the first couple of comments in the thread. But by all means if it's something you think you'd enjoy, just go for it and get on the panel and see how things pan out. You can always change your mind. You could be waiting a while anyway.

Any questions about NAS and how things work I'll try answer.

kamiljkamil · 30-03-2019 5:05pm

GF6 wrote: »

As this is the first time you have the leaving cert removed in lieu of 2 years ICO service, you're going to see a lot of present NAS EMT staff applying for this campaign.
It's the first one under UCC but that doesn't really effect the course too much. (I'd imagine)

The hours are long and the course in intense enough. A lot of people find it very stressful if they're placed in a station far from home. Especially those with kids.
Even having kids at being stationed near to home is tough because you might never finish on time. Could do a 12 hour shift, i.e 6am-6pm, 8am-8pm, or nights and towards the end of your shift you'll get a call and it'll take you one or two hours over, sometimes more.

They're trying to be more accomodating lately, and generally try get you closer to home but if you apply for a preference in the south region, don't be surprised if you apply for cork and get something like waterford or kerry.
The NAS regions are pretty big. Some people end up commuting long distances each day.

Being on relief too they can throw you between stations in the county or region. You generally get your roster on friday for the following week, some places you might get it up to 2-3 weeks in advanced if you're very lucky.

Just some thoughts that come to mind when I read the first couple of comments in the thread. But by all means if it's something you think you'd enjoy, just go for it and get on the panel and see how things pan out. You can always change your mind. You could be waiting a while anyway.

Any questions about NAS and how things work I'll try answer.

I agree with you, it doesn’t look like it’s just a career choice you decide on overnight. When it comes to assigned rosters, I know that as an intern you will get moved around quite a bit at the beginning to accommodate operational demands.
How lenient are they when it comes to, let’s say: I can work any days apart from I.e Thursday evening shift 8pm-8am. Will they be in any way accommodating? Just want to gauge how it works.

GF6 · 30-03-2019 5:11pm

kamiljkamil wrote: »

I agree with you, it doesn’t look like it’s just a career choice you decide on overnight. When it comes to assigned rosters, I know that as an intern you will get moved around quite a bit at the beginning to accommodate operational demands.
How lenient are they when it comes to, let’s say: I can work any days apart from I.e Thursday evening shift 8pm-8am. Will they be in any way accommodating? Just want to gauge how it works.

Generally you'd have to get onto the regional workforce office who plans rosters and request it. They might accomodate you once every now and then, but on a regular basis I'd imagine not unless you had significant needs and spoke the station manager, which to be frank you probably don't want to be doing when you're just in the door to make a good impression.

Essentially, give workforce a shout at least a week or two in advanced if you're looking for a day off.

But between on the road time, and classroom time you're not going to have an easy two years if you need a specific day off every week.

kamiljkamil · 30-03-2019 5:15pm

GF6 wrote: »

Generally you'd have to get onto the regional workforce office who plans rosters and request it. They might accomodate you once every now and then, but on a regular basis I'd imagine not unless you had significant needs and spoke the station manager, which to be frank you probably don't want to be doing when you're just in the door to make a good impression.

Essentially, give workforce a shout at least a week or two in advanced if you're looking for a day off.

But between on the road time, and classroom time you're not going to have an easy two years if you need a specific day off every week.

Interesting that you can actually do that. But yes I see what you mean by needing to make a good impression at the start. What way do shifts work? Do they stay consistent or do they change from week to week?

GF6 · 30-03-2019 5:42pm

kamiljkamil wrote: »

Interesting that you can actually do that. But yes I see what you mean by needing to make a good impression at the start. What way do shifts work? Do they stay consistent or do they change from week to week?

Every station has different shifts. common ones you'll see are 8-8, 6-6, 7-7, 8-6. 8-2 11-9, 11-11 but there's a whole variation. Each week you'll be working different days. Sometimes you do both days and nights in a week. It's ad-hoc essentially.
Have to get through the interviews and college first though

antichrist · 01-04-2019 1:50am

kamiljkamil wrote: »

Interesting that you can actually do that. But yes I see what you mean by needing to make a good impression at the start. What way do shifts work? Do they stay consistent or do they change from week to week?

Generally you will find out your shifts on a Wednesday 2 weeks in advance.

If you have any set plans (eg football practice every Tuesday and Thursday evening) you may kiss that goodbye. While workforce planning may be able to occasionally roster you unavailable, that is an exception.

Be prepared to work a good few nights. Rostered staff usually apply for them off and unrostered/relief staff cover the shifts.

Depending on your area, you will not have a permanent station for over 5 years (northeast is about 8-10). You may be assigned to a Hub of 3 stations and will be text your weeks roster (2 weeks in advance) covering shifts in 1 or all 3 of the stations (eg. Monday night cavan, Wednesday day virginia, Thursday day ardee).

It's a rewarding job, the pay is not the worst (840e take home while in the college) but your work/life balance will be very much unbalanced.

shamrock55 · 02-04-2019 11:32am

Can you choose an area to work that's in the same region or county that you live, and what's the starting salary, do you get paid while training?

antichrist · 02-04-2019 2:50pm

shamrock55 wrote: »

Can you choose an area to work that's in the same region or county that you live, and what's the starting salary, do you get paid while training?

You are asked your preferred area and they will try to get you there, but you get posted as per the needs of the service. You may have to work in an area away from home for a while.

Pay while in the college works out at about €840 per fortnight after tax.

shamrock55 · 02-04-2019 6:57pm

Thanks for the responce, BTW what's the pay once qualified

antichrist · 04-04-2019 1:41pm

shamrock55 wrote: »

Thanks for the responce, BTW what's the pay once qualified

Eh....it varies.
I think for interns its about 1100e for a flat 2 weeks, but I'm not 100%
You have to account for Saturday allowance, Sunday pay and any subsistance you may be due.

Kellea · 08-04-2019 8:34pm

Dont know if I am reading the Job Spec incorrectly but do you have to have a C1 licence before you even apply? TIA

antichrist · 08-04-2019 8:47pm

Kellea wrote: »

Dont know if I am reading the Job Spec incorrectly but do you have to have a C1 licence before you even apply? TIA

Yes, you need to have a full C1 licence before the closing date.
If ya dont have the licence needed to drive the ambulance then you cannot/should not apply.

Sar32 · 09-04-2019 1:52pm

What's the waiting time like to start in college once placed on the panal? Could it be anything up to a year?

GoProGaming · 09-04-2019 2:30pm

Sar32 wrote: »

What's the waiting time like to start in college once placed on the panal? Could it be anything up to a year?

Yes, and more depending where you place! All the more reason to get on the top of the panel.

sjb25 · 09-04-2019 3:00pm

Sar32 wrote: »

What's the waiting time like to start in college once placed on the panal? Could it be anything up to a year?

Depending on your panel placement but I was waiting about a year they take around 20-30 at a time in tallaght

antichrist · 10-04-2019 11:42am

Sar32 wrote: »

What's the waiting time like to start in college once placed on the panal? Could it be anything up to a year?

1st class is scheduled to start in September, so if you score high you have a good chance.

GeorgieVa · 02-05-2019 3:00pm

Hi all,

just found this thread. Am currently volunteering in the Irish Red Cross, but would be looking to become a paramedic in the future.

I had no idea about the rostering. So you cannot have a permanent schedule, like Mon-Th either days or nights, and then be, some days a month available for an emergency shift/s?

Are there ever any roles available for part time positions? x

antichrist · 03-05-2019 8:09am

GeorgieVa wrote: »

Hi all,

just found this thread. Am currently volunteering in the Irish Red Cross, but would be looking to become a paramedic in the future.

I had no idea about the rostering. So you cannot have a permanent schedule, like Mon-Th either days or nights, and then be, some days a month available for an emergency shift/s?

Are there ever any roles available for part time positions? x

The ambulance service does not have part time positions.
As for rosters....your first few years you will not be on a regular roster. Your shifts are assigned to cover annual leave, sick leave, training leave etc of the rostered personnel.

RiderOnTheStorm · 03-05-2019 1:12pm

GeorgieVa wrote: »

Hi all,

just found this thread. Am currently volunteering in the Irish Red Cross, but would be looking to become a paramedic in the future.

I had no idea about the rostering. So you cannot have a permanent schedule, like Mon-Th either days or nights, and then be, some days a month available for an emergency shift/s?

Are there ever any roles available for part time positions? x

If you are an EMT you could consider joining NAS as an ICO. Currently ICOs dont do night shifts. And the option to go the Paramedics later is possible and some say beneficial this way.

Clodz2010 · 13-05-2019 8:12pm

antichrist wrote: »

You are asked your preferred area and they will try to get you there, but you get posted as per the needs of the service. You may have to work in an area away from home for a while.

Pay while in the college works out at about €840 per fortnight after tax.

Hey, finally got into student para interviews.. Anyone have interview tips?

Would be greay appreciated!

Clodz2010 · 13-05-2019 8:12pm

Hey, finally got into student para interviews.. Anyone have interview tips?

Would be great appreciated!

antichrist · 13-05-2019 8:30pm

Clodz2010 wrote: »

Hey, finally got into student para interviews.. Anyone have interview tips?

Would be great appreciated!

Know your stories.
Look at the brief/heading for each one and then the appendix for the keys words you need to be hitting. You have to hit the key words

Don't spoof.

Try to be relaxed....confident....dont tell em you know it all and have saved the world if you were in the privates or vols, you don't and you havent.

Know that you can be sent anywhere in the country....show a willingness to learn and move if needed. If you have a family have a plan if you are sent to the furthest place from where you live.

Thats it really .

Clodz2010 · 13-05-2019 8:32pm

antichrist wrote: »

Know your stories.
Look at the brief/heading for each one and then the appendix for the keys words you need to be hitting. You have to hit the key words

Don't spoof.

Try to be relaxed....confident....dont tell em you know it all and have saved the world if you were in the privates or vols, you don't and you havent.

Know that you can be sent anywhere in the country....show a willingness to learn and move if needed. If you have a family have a plan if you are sent to the furthest place from where you live.

Thats it really .

Great, thanks for the reply!

am192 · 03-07-2019 6:18pm

Just came across this thread, I got placed on this years panel, im fairly high up and didnt get Septembers training offer. Does anyone know when they will send out another one, preferably tallaght, and how long can I expect to stay on the panel?

Joonnor212 · 21-07-2019 12:13am

am192 wrote: »

Just came across this thread, I got placed on this years panel, im fairly high up and didnt get Septembers training offer. Does anyone know when they will send out another one, preferably tallaght, and how long can I expect to stay on the panel?

Got on the panel myself, I didn’t go for September call but I am hoping to get on the next date. When you say high up how far are you?

shamrock55 · 19-09-2019 11:46pm

New applications being taken now for a new panel of student paramedics, quick question do you get paid while training?

sjb25 · 20-09-2019 9:44am

shamrock55 wrote: »

New applications being taken now for a new panel of student paramedics, quick question do you get paid while training?

Yes

shamrock55 · 20-09-2019 5:11pm

sjb25 wrote: »

Yes

How much?

Why if they created a panel in April would they be doing it again now,

sjb25 · 23-09-2019 1:02pm

shamrock55 wrote: »

How much?

Why if they created a panel in April would they be doing it again now,

€27992 per year see screenshot attached if you google the recruitment and download the documents all the info is there about pay etc
obviously either gone through last panel or not enough last time

flazio · 23-09-2019 8:24pm

This comes up a few times in these types of threads so I'll just advise you all.
If at any stage you are given a number of merit on any panel, be very careful sharing that here on boards. This number is unique to you and therefore should a member of the NAS recruitment team see this, they then have a means of identifying you and anything you say here on boards.
e.g. "I got number 6 on the panel. I'm surprised they bought my teamwork story because it was a load of trollop but I must have kept an honest face :cool: "

Oh really? Lets see, Number 6 is Daithi Kelly, well, he certainly won't be getting a call up anytime soon.
*disclaimer* the name and situation above is fiction and any resemblance to a real Mr Kelly is coincidental and unintended.

Miike · 23-09-2019 8:28pm

flazio wrote: »

This comes up a few times in these types of threads so I'll just advise you all.
If at any stage you are given a number of merit on any panel, be very careful sharing that here on boards. This number is unique to you and therefore should a member of the NAS recruitment team see this, they then have a means of identifying you and anything you say here on boards.
e.g. "I got number 6 on the panel. I'm surprised they bought my teamwork story because it was a load of trollop but I must have kept an honest face :cool: "

Oh really? Lets see, Number 6 is Daithi Kelly, well, he certainly won't be getting a call up anytime soon.

Disqualified with no verifiable evidence, from a national panel? You're day dreaming I'm afraid. This would be a legal minefield for NAS - which they are all too familiar of.

e.g. I got number 2 on the panel and I lied about everything to get to the point I'm at. Does this disqualify person 2 on the panel? :rolleyes:

flazio · 23-09-2019 8:35pm

Maybe, maybe not, But it does give them, and anyone else you may have bragged to, a better idea who to watch out for. Better to be safe then sorry and not reveal personal identifying information on boards. Sounds like common sense but it's not always that common.

Swimtech · 23-10-2019 11:05am

Hopefully going to be starting in Tallaght in Jan 2020. Can anyone give any advice regards accomodation, I've been in contact with the maldron but nothing booked.

Would like to know what others are considering.
Thanks in advance

tommyharper · 01-12-2019 5:06pm

Can someone answer a question for me please. I did an interview for the supplementary ICO panel and got placed 14. I have an interview on Tuesday for the supplementary student Paramedic role.
I currently work with Galway City Council. Would you take an ICO role and if I qualify for the paramedics, do you just leave ICO. OR Should I just wait for a place with the paramedics and stay in my current role until then.
Also, how do I find out how many people are on the existing panels.
Thanks

LRNM · 03-12-2019 8:38pm

tommyharper wrote: »

Can someone answer a question for me please. I did an interview for the supplementary ICO panel and got placed 14. I have an interview on Tuesday for the supplementary student Paramedic role.
I currently work with Galway City Council. Would you take an ICO role and if I qualify for the paramedics, do you just leave ICO. OR Should I just wait for a place with the paramedics and stay in my current role until then.
Also, how do I find out how many people are on the existing panels.
Thanks

You can ring email apply support or ring HBS and ask them how many people are on the existing panel.

Also, it's really up to yourself if you want to take the ICO role. You'll have to weigh up your number on the new paramedic panel you interviewed for and make a guesstimate as to how long you'll be waiting.

If you get called up to the next ICO class I'd go for it. Your training will be done and you'll be on the road in 6 weeks from when you start so if you're far down the paramedic panel it might be no harm to get the ICO experience.

But you have to consider the time spent in ballinaslow and tallaght as well as the expenses alongside it.

Plenty of ICO's have got into the job and spent only a few months before going off to paramedics.

You'll also have to weigh up if the ICO pay is worth it compared to your council job, and the likelihood of getting into your nearest ICO station.

Tough one to decide on.

Skorpion · 12-12-2019 7:16pm

I'm just wondering how hard is interview and how hard is get in a panel??

LRNM · 13-12-2019 10:30pm

Skorpion wrote: »

I'm just wondering how hard is interview and how hard is get in a panel??

Interview takes a lot of prep work and you need to brush up on knowing the ins and outs of NAS and how it runs, and the HSE. It can be hard and they grill you a bit but if you do your homework you'll be okay.

It's competency based.

First you'll be asked to talk about yourself and your career and interests to date.
Then you'll be asked various questions like, why do you want to be a paramedic, what concerns do you have, what do you know about the course, can you tell me about how the service is structured, and possible many more questions.

Then you'll be asked to talk about a time you worked well as a team.
Then, asked to talk about a time you displayed problem solving and decision making.
Finally, talk about a time you coped under pressure.
You have to write a page of each in the application form anyway so this will prep you. You may use the ones you have written, or a different one.
Its all about YOU. Talk about how YOU did, and what YOU did.

You will be asked various questions during your story telling. Why did you do that? How did you feel during it? Would you do anything different? etc

Then you'll finish up. It takes about 30 minutes.
In each competancy you'll be scored. Pass mark in 40% for each of the 4 sections.
If you know your stuff, are confident and can talk the talk and sell yourself you will be fine. Even if you score poorly you can still get on the panel.

Skorpion · 15-12-2019 5:52pm

LRNM wrote: »

Interview takes a lot of prep work and you need to brush up on knowing the ins and outs of NAS and how it runs, and the HSE. It can be hard and they grill you a bit but if you do your homework you'll be okay.

It's competency based.

First you'll be asked to talk about yourself and your career and interests to date.
Then you'll be asked various questions like, why do you want to be a paramedic, what concerns do you have, what do you know about the course, can you tell me about how the service is structured, and possible many more questions.

Then you'll be asked to talk about a time you worked well as a team.
Then, asked to talk about a time you displayed problem solving and decision making.
Finally, talk about a time you coped under pressure.
You have to write a page of each in the application form anyway so this will prep you. You may use the ones you have written, or a different one.
Its all about YOU. Talk about how YOU did, and what YOU did.

You will be asked various questions during your story telling. Why did you do that? How did you feel during it? Would you do anything different? etc

Then you'll finish up. It takes about 30 minutes.
In each competancy you'll be scored. Pass mark in 40% for each of the 4 sections.
If you know your stuff, are confident and can talk the talk and sell yourself you will be fine. Even if you score poorly you can still get on the panel.

Thanks for your reply, it seems to very hard set in, and I Think ambulans experience are necessary. I have over 2 years healthcare experience, I think is not enough.

Breffni1997 · 15-12-2019 6:39pm

Does anyone know how many people are left on the current live national panal for student paramedic ? My panal is due to go live 20th of December and just want to get an idea of a rough possible start date. Im 21 on the panal.

movers&shakers · 15-12-2019 10:09pm

Skorpion wrote: »

Thanks for your reply, it seems to very hard set in, and I Think ambulans experience are necessary. I have over 2 years healthcare experience, I think is not enough.

I disagree,
you don’t need any experience whatsoever,
they prefer to train from a blank canvas.

Have two examples set for each of the competencies & be sure that they are demonstrating the skills that they want to hear about e.g. teamwork etc.

Have a good knowledge of the HSE, the training, the NAS structure, rosters, based etc & visit an ambulance station & take notes of what you see.

Get on top of that and you’ll be fine.

movers&shakers · 15-12-2019 10:10pm

Breffni1997 wrote: »

Does anyone know how many people are left on the current live national panal for student paramedic ? My panal is due to go live 20th of December and just want to get an idea of a rough possible start date. Im 21 on the panal.

I wasn’t particularly high on the panel,
started 6mths after interview.

tommyharper · 18-12-2019 8:20pm

Well done, I have the same question. We might end up training together, I placed 23rd.

LRNM · 24-01-2020 9:51pm

Breffni1997 wrote: »

Does anyone know how many people are left on the current live national panal for student paramedic ? My panal is due to go live 20th of December and just want to get an idea of a rough possible start date. Im 21 on the panal.

As far as I know, none left on the last panel from may 2019.

flazio · 28-01-2020 11:20pm

They are on the hunt again.
Closing date for applications is the 18th of February.
https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs/job-search/patient-and-client-care/hbs08506-student-paramedic.html

Jimmy113 · 30-01-2020 1:40am

flazio wrote: »

They are on the hunt again.
Closing date for applications is the 18th of February.
https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs/job-search/patient-and-client-care/hbs08506-student-paramedic.html

Am I right in saying you clear €840 every two weeks while training? How long is training and what does it go up by after training?

NAS student paramedic recruitment 2019

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