Choosing a career in the healthcare industry is truly one of the most rewarding vocations despite the many challenges that come along with it. Healthcare is the backbone of our society and each day, all those who work in the sector, from administrative staff to heart surgeons, are vital to providing treatment to those who need it most.
There are a huge breadth of roles within the sector and in this article, we’re speaking to Matthew Johnston, a Student Paramedic with Proparamedics to find out more about his journey and what he would say to someone who was considering becoming a paramedic.
Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Matthew. I currently live just outside Ballymena and am a final year Student Paramedic at Ulster University and have worked for Proparamedics for almost three years.
Were you always interested in becoming a paramedic?
If I’m being totally honest, no, being a Paramedic was never really on my radar growing up. The sciences always interested me, and I knew that I wanted to work in the health or veterinary sector. After leaving school I took some time out of academia, working in Hospitality Management and then covid-19 hit!
I had a lot of time to reflect over lockdown which ignited my passion to return to study and pursue a career in healthcare. I left my management job and started working in community pharmacy to gain some health-related experience and started volunteering with a local ambulance charity. It was at this time that I really got exposed to the Paramedic role. Paramedicine appeared to be that perfect blend of science and health related work that encompassed personal autonomy, lots of patient exposure and a varied working environment. For that reason, I applied for Ulster University’s new BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science programme - and by some miracle was accepted into the first cohort!
How are you finding your course and are you enjoying being a student paramedic?
For the most part, I really enjoy being a Student Paramedic. The content is interesting, the experiences are varied, and the placement opportunities are exciting to be a part of.
Everything we are trained to do is principled around person-centeredness and evidenced best practice and that is really exciting.
As a Student Paramedic you get to help people in their hour of need and be that soundboard to try to make a positive impact on people’s lives. It’s not always easy, often very stressful, but immensely rewarding.
What do you enjoy most about working with Proparamedics and how has it helped you as a student paramedic?
Proparamedics has been a constant throughout my student journey. Working at Proparamedics has offered not only flexible income, to help support me during my studies, but also the opportunity to practice many of my ‘soft’ skills and assessment techniques - consolidating some of my University and placement learnings. I have had the chance to grow as a person, master my communication skills and clinical practice, with the unwavering support from all my colleagues and friends.
What does a typical day look like for you as a student paramedic?
No day is ever the same as a Student Paramedic and that’s one of the best aspects of the role. One week you’re in lectures and seminars for six hours a day, the next you’re working 12-hour shifts in an A&E Ambulance. However, Paramedicine is not contained to the four walls of an ambulance. We do an array of placement experiences over our three years from: Community, Mental Health, Maternity, Anaesthetics and A&E (to name a few).
As a Student Paramedic you get to dedicate classroom time towards learning the science behind the conditions people present with and the procedures and drugs used in the prehospital environment to combat such conditions. Now in my final year, I am going out on placement implementing this knowledge and often getting the chance to lead assessments and care plans under my Paramedic mentor’s supervision in preparation for qualifying later this year. Every day is a learning day filled with different people, different encounters and new environments.
What would you say to someone who was considering a career in the healthcare sector?
Go for it! Practicing as a Student Paramedic is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things I’ve ever done. Paramedicine is still in its infancy in the UK, particularly in Northern Ireland, but the opportunities and developments within scope and working environments are becoming increasingly common. It’s a really exciting time to be a Paramedic and I’m looking forward to registering in the coming months.
If you’d like more details on the various services we offer, contact us here or please email: teresa@proparamedics.com or call: 028 9023 2373
