Student Paramedic Training
How to Apply:
The HSE National Recruitment Service manages the selection process for Student Paramedics.
Advertisements for Student Paramedic are posted at:
- www.hse.ie
- www.publicjobs.ie (you are advised to register your interest with this site)
Application forms are available on line when a recruitment process commences.
Requirements:
At time of application for paramedic recruitment you will need:
- Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:
(i) Be in possession of a Leaving Certificate awarded in 2017 or later with a minimum of six passes1 in the Leaving Certificate Examination Ordinary Level or higher including Mathematics and a Science subject (e.g. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture Science)
Or
(ii) Be in possession of a Leaving Certificate awarded in 2017 or later with a minimum of six passes1 in the Leaving Certificate Examination Ordinary Level or higher including Mathematics and a Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) EMT Certificate
Or
(iii) Be in possession of a Leaving Certificate awarded in 2016 or prior with a minimum of six passes1 in the Leaving Certificate Examination Ordinary Level or higher including Mathematics and a Science subject (e.g.. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture Science)
Or
(iv) Be in possession of a Leaving Certificate awarded in 2016 or prior with a minimum of six passes1 in the Leaving Certificate Examination Ordinary Level or higher including Mathematics and a Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) EMT Certificate
Or
(v) Have completed a relevant examination at a comparable standard in any equivalent examination in another jurisdiction
Or
(vi) Hold a comparable and relevant qualification of at least Level 5 (or above) on the National Qualifications Framework maintained by Qualifications and Quality Ireland, (QQI)*
Or
(vii) Candidates who have a minimum of two years full time ambulance service experience, employed as an EMT and hold a Pre Hospital Emergency Council EMT Certificate.
Note1:
Candidates must have achieved these grades in Ordinary or Higher level papers on the Leaving Certificate Established programme. The Leaving Certification Applied Programme or the Leaving Certificate Vocational programme does not fulfil the eligibility criteria
And
- Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability, for the proper discharge of the office.
- Be the holder of a full unendorsed Class C1 Driving Licence on application. (Note Irish 78 Restriction is not acceptable)
4. Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
5 . Health
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
6. Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
1The level 5 QQI FE awards which we currently accept for entry onto the Diploma in Paramedical Science include:
Code
Title
Old Code
5M5267
Food Science
CASFX
5M3807
Laboratory Techniques
CASLT
5M4468
Community Health Services
DCHSX
5M4339
Healthcare Support
DHSXX
5M4349
Nursing Studies
DCHSN
Note, module requirements are Distinctions (80% or greater) in 4 modules which must include at least one of:
- Mathematics
- Biology/Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Anatomy/Physiology
Module Code
Module Title
Old Module Code
5N1833
5N2746/5N0737
5N2747
5N1460
5N0749
Mathematics Biology/Microbiology Chemistry
Physics
Anatomy and Physiology
C20139 C20006/C20041 C20011
C20048
D20001
- A full unendorsed C1 driving licence.
C 1 Licence description as per NDLS website is:
Category | Vehicle type | Minimum age |
C1 | Vehicles in category C having a MAM1 weight not exceeding 7,500 kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver and where the MAM1 of the trailer is not greater than 750 kg. | 18 years |
For further information on driving licences and applications see www.ndls.ie
- General good health
The selection process involves aptitude tests, a driving assessment and an interview process. If successful, applicants are placed on a panel from which they are called to the National Ambulance Service College for training.
Call for Training:
Offers of places on paramedic programmes are made by The National Recruitment Service (NRS) subject to:
- Garda Clearance
- Occupational Medical Assessment
- Reference Checks
Commencing Paramedic Training:
On receipt of student details from NRS, the NASC will contact students with course joining instructions which includes pre learning requirements, start date and time, venue / directions (Dublin or Ballinalsoe) and contact details for the Course Director.
The Paramedic Programme is of 3 calendar years (4 academic years) duration.
Year 1:
The first year of the programme is divided between college based learning and hospital and ambulance placements. A temporary specific purpose employment contract is issued to students. During the first year there are two PHECC examinations and weekly in-house assessments while in the college. Successful completion of all assessments and examinations is required in order to progress through the programme.
Years 2 and 3:
Successful completion of year one allows students to progress to the internship phase, run over two years. A temporary specified purpose employment contract is issued to students. The internship will be of 104 weeks duration where students are integral members of ambulance crews in the National Ambulance Service. There are mandatory Intern Field Assessments completed during the internship. Case studies are also submitted and form part of overall marks. Students will be required to attend a number of seminars and workshops, with associated assignments as part of the academic requirements. A learning portfolio is maintained by each student and submitted for review. his portfolio forms part of the final panel exam. Successful completion of the second year of the programme leads to registration with the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council at Paramedic level. Completion of the third year will lead to the awarding of a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree. At this point a permanent employment contract may be issued.
To see the National Ambulance Service Recruitment Information Handbook please click here.
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