A-level students urged to consider a future at London Ambulance Service on results day

London Ambulance Service (LAS) is today (Thursday) reminding students of the wealth of career and training opportunities at the country’s busiest ambulance service, as hundreds of thousands of pupil open their results.

While a number of students will be heading to our university partners to study paramedic science, LAS is reminding school leavers there are other routes into this life-saving and rewarding profession, including for those who received results that were not as expected or those who want to work as they study.

And it’s not just a career in paramedicine that is possible – London Ambulance Service has opportunities in call handling, education, support services, mechanics, and more.

Today, the country’s first female Chief Paramedic Pauline Cranmer wished students all the best in their future studies, and urged those who are still unsure what they want to do – like she was when she left school – to think about the ambulance sector.

“For many, A-level results day is a time of celebration as all those years of hard work pay off. I wish those students who are about to enter our profession or those about to start on the path to their future career all the very best.

“For those who are still unsure or having doubts, I would say don’t be disheartened – not everyone knows what they want to do as they leave school. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I knew I didn’t want to spend my working life behind a desk – I saw an advert for London Ambulance Service, and thought it looked great. Since applying more than 30 years ago, I haven’t looked back.

“I would encourage all those who thinking about next steps – whatever their results – to think about the career opportunities we have at LAS. My career has been so varied over the past 30 years with amazing colleagues and opportunities. It’s demanding but fulfilling, so well worth a look.”

There are routes into paramedicine which don’t require a degree. For those who decide against university, you can apply to become an Assistant Ambulance Practitioner. Upon successful completion of AAP training, you will be eligible to apply for the Trainee Emergency Medical Technician (TEMT) role. After completing the training, you become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and are eligible to apply for a two year Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship to become a newly Qualified Paramedic. London Ambulance Service funds all training.

London Ambulance Service can also be a good choice for those wanting a career change or whose results are not what they expected.

One of our colleagues who found himself in this situation was paramedic Daleel Madarbukus. Daleel did not have an easy path to the job fulfilment he has now. When he received disappointing A-Level results 11 years ago, he had to readjust his plans and gained entry to a different university course through clearing.

After six years as an osteopath, he took on the two-year MSC postgraduate course to become a paramedic. After 18 months at LAS, he is delighted to discover the real difference he can make in someone’s life.

For instance, he recalled a life-saving situation where he attended to a woman who was found unresponsive in the street and after finding out her blood sugar was low and administering glucose, she was alert and conscious in moments.

He said: “She was completely back to her normal self so quickly. It’s amazing to see those kinds of examples where you can take someone from a pretty scary state, unresponsive and potentially close to a worsening or dangerous state, and make her awake and alert again. It just feels like you have made a real difference.”

For more information about working for London Ambulance Service visit our website: Career Opportunities – London Ambulance Service NHS Trust