Devon
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science
Recent graduate Devon completed her four-year degree in BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science. She now enjoys a rewarding career as a fully qualified paramedic for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
This is Devon's story.
On the frontline
"I've been out on the road as a paramedic since last autumn."
"I was working as an emergency medical technician (Tech 2) at Yorkshire Ambulance Service during my placement year. That's the role you work in before you become a paramedic.
"The fourth year of the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science degree progresses you from being a Tech 2 to becoming a fully qualified paramedic."
What's next?
"In the future, I'd like to do outreach work."
"In the summer of 2022, the University helped me to secure a grant for the Turing Scheme to volunteer for three weeks at an emergency hospital in Tanzania. They don't have an established ambulance service over there, so I used my skills in A&E instead.
"Working in such an alternative environment to what we're used to in the UK while helping people, and having to make on-the-spot decisions and improvise, was one of the best things I've ever done."
The Turing Scheme: how Bradford helped me build international relationships
"The Turing grant is designed to financially help those from a minority background."
"In the process of applying for the grant, Bradford also provided me with information on how to plan my trip, and the documents I needed to submit in order to receive the grant, such as person and liability insurance while on placement abroad.
"That helped me arrange things which I hadn't even considered, and feel safer and more organised when I was travelling alone for the first time in my life.
"I applied for "Work the World" with my grant. I stayed in a house with 28 other medical students from all backgrounds, some of whom were fellow students from the University of Bradford, including physios and nurses."
I wouldn't have been able to do this life-changing trip without the Turing grant, and Bradford helped me every step of the way.
Day-to-day life
"My year in the industry changed everything."
"Every decision is yours as a paramedic, it's not like you can rely on a big team around you or wait for instructions from doctors on a ward.
"I was overwhelmed by the prospect in the first few years of University; I didn't think I'd be able to do it, despite my tutors constantly reassuring me that I would.
"But in my third year, when I went to work with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service for my year-long placement, it all just clicked. I had no prior medical experience, so it was really important for me to get that solid workplace training before I completed my degree.
"It gave me such a great opportunity to get used to the local hospitals and get to know my future employer. It made the transition so much easier."
I applied to the University of Bradford as I liked the strong links that they had with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
The personality needed for paramedic science
"The course is very practical which suited me."
"There's a lot of physical assessments and you get to learn from highly experienced paramedics and medical practitioners who want you to be the very best you can be.
"I remember being so nervous the first time I went out in an ambulance, I turned up at the station two hours early. My mentor assured me that life as a paramedic isn't exactly like what you see on all the ambulance programmes that are on TV.
"I'm good at calming people down when I arrive at an emergency.
"One of the biggest qualities you need as a paramedic is to be able to talk to your patients, nurses, and doctors to gain the right information you need to help their situation."
The role University plays in paramedics
"The routes to become a paramedic have changed over the years."
"Many people might not realise that you need a university degree to qualify as a paramedic now. You used to be able to get in via an apprenticeship, then there was also a diploma. However, by the time I was looking into it as a career choice, it had changed to needing a full degree.
"I applied to do the Paramedic Science course at the University of Bradford because the third year in industry was essential for me as a practical learner."
Advice
"Put yourself out there."
"If you're starting out on this degree, have a lot of faith in yourself.
"With any training like this, it gets ingrained in you, but it's not until you physically do it yourself that you really begin to trust yourself.
"Let people know that you want to do more of certain tasks and find out more about particular roles, as that's the best way to learn and get ahead."
Interested in studying Paramedic Science?
Find out more about our course, entry requirements, and how to apply.