What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
In school there was very poor attention given to, or ‘guidance’ towards suitable careers. I was lucky I knew what I wanted to do. This, looking back was disappointing because I had no drive to go to third level college. I knew all I needed to be a Paramedic was the Leaving Cert.
In the Leaving Cert I took English, Irish, Maths, French, Biology, Chemistry and History pretty much the standard, they didn’t really have much influence on my career choice. That said, Biology and Chemistry are a great foundation for studying medicine as a Paramedic.
What is your education to date?
My education prior to joining the service was the Inter Cert and the Leaving Cert, with various courses and training from other jobs such as certificate in Security Management and Retained Fire-fighter training. After joining the Ambulance Service I’ve gone on to do a world of courses and training including
Diploma and Higher Diploma in Emergency Medicine
Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Neo-natal Resuscitation
Paediatric advanced Life Support
Defensive driving
Leadership training
Major Incident Medical Management
Moving and Handling
Rapid Response Vehicle Training
Special Operations Team Training
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?
Obviously any of the training or education you get through the job is important and beneficial in one form or another, but anything you can bring from your previous studying, roles or job is of great benefit. It’s important to develop an ability to study and apply yourself academically.
Have you undertaken, or do you plan to undertake any further training as part of your job?
Not immediately as I’ve just finished my Higher Diploma within the last year and that was very intense, with a massive commitment needed from me and my family. However there is compulsory refresher training and clinical up skilling on an ongoing basis that I’ll need to do. As you can see from above there is never a shortage of courses or further education open to Paramedics and Advanced Paramedics and no doubt in the near future there will be a course or position that I fancy advertised on the notice board.
