This blog post will guide those in Ireland looking to become paramedics. You will find concrete information on details such as fees, entry requirements, and some of the best paramedic schools in Ireland. Let’s begin!
The paramedic profession is a fast-paced role with a lot of adventure some of which can be dangerous. This is why you have to be a courageous individual to consider pursuing a career as a paramedic. You will always be on the move, that is during your work shifts, and you will move from one setting or location to another to provide emergency medical care.
Paramedics are the first medical personnel to arrive at a scene where medical expertise is required. They are seen riding on ambulances or bikes to deliver emergency care to patients. You will gain all the expert skills of a paramedic when you study for the program at an accredited institution in Ireland.
The training prepares you for the licensure exam and for a successful career as a paramedic. The body responsible for organizing the licensure exam and qualification in Ireland is the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC). Institutions offering any paramedic course or program must also be approved by PHECC, if it isn’t, then do not bother applying there.
To enter a paramedic program in Ireland, there are a number of requirements that you must satisfy and these requirements usually vary based on what you want to go for. There are degrees and diplomas in paramedic studies, and their requirements are not the same since they are offered by different institutions.
But whichever one you decide to go for you should greatly consider getting some fundamental knowledge of the medical field before going on to apply. By doing this, you have increased your chances of getting accepted into the program and the foundational knowledge you have gained will further strengthen your skill and expertise as a paramedic.
To this effect, you can take some free online medical courses or enroll in an online public health course to start getting this foundational knowledge. You may also take up free online courses in health and safety and download some medical books online for free to further expand your knowledge in this field you are about to venture into.
We also have on our site, a wide range of helpful articles like accelerated nursing programs if you are looking to enter the nursing field later and also free universities in Ireland for international students.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Paramedic In Ireland?
An undergraduate degree in paramedic science, which leads to a BSc, in Ireland takes 3 to 4 years to complete.
What Subjects Do You Need To Be A Paramedic In Ireland
The required subjects to enroll in a paramedic program in Ireland are math, English, Irish, or another language, and science subjects like biology, chemistry, or physics.
How To Become A Paramedic In Ireland
If you want to become a qualified paramedic in Ireland, there are three different routes that you can take to achieve it.
1. Getting A BSc Degree
There are universities in Ireland that offer undergraduate degree programs in paramedic science leading to a BSc. It typically takes 3 to 4 years to complete the degree if you are enrolled in the full-time study mode.
When you complete the bachelor’s degree in paramedic science, you can then go on to apply to an ambulance service for a job as a qualified paramedic. If you think 4 years is too long to get a degree, you can do a diploma which takes lesser time.
2. Student Paramedic Recruitment
This is the second route you can take to become a paramedic in Ireland, and as the title already reads, you will become a student paramedic by applying for the role of a student paramedic and studying while you work. You will need good GCSE grades to be accepted into this program.
3. Apply For Apprenticeship
This is the final route on how you can become a paramedic in Ireland. In this route, you will apply for a degree standard apprenticeship in paramedic science with an ambulance service and gradually work your way up to acquiring the degree. With a good GCSE grade, you can be accepted into this program.
These are the routes you can take to become a paramedic in Ireland. Whichever of the routes you choose, you should contact the university of ambulance service to learn about their requirements since it varies.
The duration it takes to become a qualified paramedic in Ireland is between 2 and 4 years depending on the route you decide to take. The paramedic program is a mixture of theory and practical work including placements with ambulance services and other healthcare settings.
Every paramedic is required to have the following skillset:
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to stay calm in tough situations
- Listening skills
- A great sense of humor
- Organizational skills
- Be physically fit
- Navigational and driving skills
- Resilience and confidence
- Sociability
- Ability to make swift decisions and stay calm under pressure.
Best Paramedic Schools In Ireland
The following are the best paramedic schools in Ireland where you can train and get educated as a paramedic.
- Emergency Services Training Institute
- Ulster University
- Blackrock Further Education Institution (BFEI)
- UCD School of Medicine
- University College Cork (UCC), Ireland
- The University of Limerick
- Inchicore College of Further Education
1. Emergency Services Training Institute
The Emergency Services Training Institute is one of the best schools in Ireland where you can train as a paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The school specializes in the training of qualified emergency care responders in Ireland. The institute is approved by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) and it is currently the largest of its kind in Ireland.
This institute does not offer a degree but when you complete your training, you will earn an approved license from PHECC. If you are already a member of an emergency service or a voluntary service organization, you can get a discount when you provide your valid service ID card.
2. Ulster University
Next on our list of best paramedic schools in Ireland is Ulster University, a nationally and internationally recognized higher institution in Ireland. The university offers a wide range of academic degree programs in undergraduate and graduate study levels, and one of these degrees is a BSc (Hons) in Paramedic Science.
The program is approved by the HCPC, an internationally recognized body like the PHECC, but the HCPC covers the whole of the UK. Therefore, the degree and license you get from the paramedic degree at Ulster can be used to seek for employment anywhere in the UK. The degree takes 3 years of full-time study to complete.
3. Blackrock Further Education Institution (BFEI)
BFEI is offering a course on Pre-Paramedic Fire and Ambulance that is accredited by the PHECC. The course is fully practical with class sizes kept small to improve student-instructor interaction. It is a level 5 course and takes 1 year to study.
The institution trains aspiring paramedics in a range of skills that will set them up for successful careers in the emergency care system. BFEI is free for EU students, they only need to pay for books, a student service fee, and registration fees wherever applicable.
4. UCD School of Medicine
UCD School of Medicine is located in Dublin and offers a graduate diploma in emergency medical sciences that will prepare you to become a qualified paramedic. The program is jointly run by the HSE National Ambulance Service College and the School of Medicine and Medical Science at UCD. If you are also looking to go for an MSc in EMS, this is the foundational course you should take.
5. University College Cork (UCC), Ireland
UCC is one of the institutions in Ireland where you can pursue a degree in paramedics. The university is offering a 3-year BSc in Paramedic Studies in full-time mode. To gain entry into the program, you must have a driver’s license, be healthy generally, and meet the academic requirements listed on the school’s website.
6. The University of Limerick
The University of Limerick is one of the prestigious higher institutions in the Republic of Ireland offering a BSc in Paramedic Studies. The duration of the degree is 4 years of full-time study. To gain entry into this program, applicants are required to hold an 06/H7 in a science subject like physics, biology, or chemistry, and must have completed secondary school.
7. Inchicore College of Further Education
Inchicore College of Further Education is located on Emmet Road in Dublin, Ireland, and is one of the best paramedic colleges in the country. To prepare students for a fulfilling career as paramedics, the college is offering a level 5 Paramedic Healthcare Support course that takes 1 year to complete and costs €450.
To gain entry into the program, applicants are required to possess a leaving certificate with 06/H7 in 5 subjects.
These are the best paramedic schools in Ireland and their program offerings, now that you have this info, which of the schools will you be applying for?