Newly Qualified Paramedics

Your questions answered

• Information on the paramedic pathway

  Clinical and corporate induction: Introduction to clinical practice within London Ambulance Service and other NHS ambulance services, as well as key organisational, policy and People and Culture processes.  

  Mentorship period: Your mentorship period will be 8-10weeks, giving you time to become familiar with our policies and procedures You will be given time for documentation, referrals, feedback and debriefs and will be working alongside other new starters under the supervision of an experienced paramedic. 

  NQP1- You will be based at your allocated ambulance station working with an experienced paramedic. As you progress, you will be signed off to work with non-paramedic clinicians, as you build your portfolio of evidence. This stage usually lasts between three to four months. 

  NQP2- Once you have completed 30 per cent of you NQP portfolio you progress to NQP2. You will work with non-registered clinicians including Emergency Medical Technicians and Assistant Ambulance Practitioners and begin supporting trainees and students on placements.  

  After two years, you should have completed your NQP portfolio and blue light driving training. You will then qualify as a Band 6 paramedic, able to work independently alongside colleagues of any skill level, mentor others, and apply for specialist roles and secondments. 

• What are the application requirements?
  • You must be a final-year paramedicine student, or hold a diploma/bachelor’s degree in paramedic science (or an equivalent qualification) from an approved provider.  

  • You must be registered, or eligible to register, as a paramedic with the Health and Care Professions Council. 

  • You must have evidence of clinical practice within the last 12 months.  

  • UK applicants must hold a current Category B driving licence with no more than three penalty points, and a C1 provisional entitlement or full C1 licence at the time of application. A driving licence summary check will be requested at pre-screening to evidence this entitlement.  

  • International applicants must hold a valid Category B (car) driving licence with no more than three penalty points (or equivalent). You will be expected to convert your licence to a UK licence and obtain C1 entitlement during NQP1 training.  

  Full essential and desirable criteria can be found in the job description. 

• Where are the training locations?

  Our training is delivered at our two education centres:  

  • Dockside – Newham Dockside, 1000 Dockside Road, E16 2QU 

  • Brentford – 4 Brentside Park, Brentford TW8 9DS 
• What is the salary of an NQP?

  This is a Band 5 role and salaries are in line with Agenda for Change pay scales. More information can be found on the NHS Employers website.

• Do I need a C1 driving licence?

  You must obtain a C1 provisional licence before applying (UK applicants). The  process involves completing DVLA forms D2 and D4 and can take up to three weeks