Frequently Asked Questions

Application and interview

1. When will I know if my application is successful? The closing date for applications is 20 October 2023 and we aim to confirm interview places by 31 October 2023.
2. Is there an age limit for applications? No, as long as you are physically able to complete duties required of the profession.
3. What will the interview consist of? It will be a series of competency based questions to assess your clinical skills and team working attributes. You could also look at the Joint Royal College Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC) guidelines.
4. After my interview, when will I know if I’ve been successful? We will confirm your outcome within a week of your interview.
5. When should I complete my application with the HCPC? Once you have been successful at interview we'll provide guidance on how to do your Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) application and UKVI application.
6. When should I expect my start date to be? We are welcoming Newly Qualified Paramedics (NQP’s) in February 2024.
7. I’m a UK citizen, will that affect my application? No, the only difference being you will not need to complete a Visa application.
8. I’m due to finish my degree after 31 December 2023, can I still apply? You would need to have completed your qualification by this date. 

Employment package and benefits

9. Am I entitled to have access to universal/affordable healthcare? Yes, the NHS is free at the point of access. 
10. How many days annual leave would I receive per year? 27 days plus 8 bank holidays’.
11. Can you provide a rough estimate of the yearly salary package? You will start on The NHS Agenda for Change Payscale band 5 and after the two year NQP move to a band 6. Alongside this base rate you receive an enhanced rate for working nights, weekends (unsociable hours payments) and overtime. These pay enhancements are 30% for Saturdays and weekdays between 8pm and 6am and 60% for Sundays.
12. The first three months accommodation is paid for by the Trust. What type of accommodation will it be? It is most likely to be an apartment or shared house with your colleagues close to the station you will be trained at. This is only provided for the Paramedic, not for any family members.
13. What is involved in the two year NQP programme? Each Trust will have a bespoke training package to guide you through the duration of your first two years. Please see the job description framework for a band 5 newly-qualified paramedic.

NHS Ambulance Trust and driving

14. How long is the contract with the ambulance Trust for? It is a three year initial contract and you're expected to stay with your Trust for that period as they are the sponsor of your work Visa.
15. Are you able to transfer between Trusts if circumstances arise? As your sponsored Visa is with that Trust you are not able to transfer however there may be the option to move stations within the region.
16. Initially will I be an observer within a crew or with a mentor? You will be assigned a Paramedic mentor and senior Paramedic team lead. There is an element of third manning initially and preceptorship before you practice without direct supervision.
17. Do all NHS Ambulance Trusts practice under the JRCALC clinical guidelines? Yes, you will be issued with a JRCALC app.
18. What does a normal roster look like? You are most likely to work a shift pattern of four days on, four days off of usually ten or twelve hour shifts. These are comprised of earlies, days and nights. The staggered shift pattern supports meal breaks and finishing time to ensure you have a good work life balance.
19. Would I attend an advanced driver training course and what would this involve? Your driver training consists of the C1 element which relates to the weight of the vehicle and then you will have four weeks blue light driver training which encompasses you advanced driver training.
20. Do you need to have a full driver licence at the time of application or accepting the offer? When you arrive you'll need to have a driving licence for a car issued in Australia or New Zealand. This can be automatic or manual.
21. Are the ambulances manual or automatic? You could be driving either and your training will ensure you feel confident to drive both.

Development and progression

22. What is the career progression/specialty like after we completed NQP? Once you have completed the 2 year NQP programme you qualify as a band 6 Paramedic. You then have several options for development and there are many roles to progress to such as senior Paramedic team leaders, consultant Paramedics and specialist rotational Paramedics.
23. Where can I look at the scope of Paramedics in England? You can view this on the College of Paramedics website.
24. Is there the opportunity to gain permanent residency and/or citizenship to stay and work as paramedics in UK indefinitely? Once you have completed your 3 year work Visa you can apply for a 2 year extension. Following this, if after the 5 years you wish to stay in the UK you can apply for indefinite leave to remain. Please note there are costs associated this application.

General

25. For those who have a family, is there any assistance in gaining Visas for those family members? Your dependants will be able to apply for a dependants Visa linked to your Tier II UK Health & Care Workers Visa. The accommodation and sponsored Visa package is for the Paramedic only. For assistance with accommodation the Trust will put you in touch with local lettings agents before you travel. We recommended that the Paramedic comes across first so they can get settled and their family member/s joins at a later date. It is obviously up to individual circumstances.
26. Will there be any support for the transport of pets to the UK? You would need look into the quarantine requirements and arrange travel. We are unable to support in terms of funding but can signpost you to the relevant authorities.
27. I’ve still got some queries, where can I enquire about them? Please email us at england.global.ahps@hee.nhs.uk