I’m being made redundant (sob!..er..sorry, that should read “brilliant!”) from my day job. At the moment, my CFR position seems safe, but the wages are poor – £0.00pa.
I’d really fancy a change (I’m currently a H&S Officer, and I’ve worked in Quality Management). Obviously, with my interests, I fancy something allied to First Aid or the Ambulance Service. Unfortunately my local ambulance trust isn’t recruiting for any job. With the proposed cutbacks in just about every public service, I can’t see that changing in a hurry.
I’m going to do a PTLLS (C&G 7303) course that would then make me qualified to teach First Aid. I could quite fancy that, but I’d prefer the sharp end.
Any ideas as to what else I could do, ideally ambulance/First Aid related?
Ambulance Amateur 
Posted by Squeezey on July 5, 2010 at 01:51
Do you have companies that provide first aiders to major events/horse racing? Something like this perhaps?…
http://www.emsa.com.au/emsa/Home.html
Posted by EmilyT on July 5, 2010 at 16:24
Have done the PTLLS course myself as a means to teaching first aid. Be warned that, as it’s obviously designed for generic teaching, not specialised in any way, then a lot of the things they suggest as learning methods simply aren’t possible with the way that first aid has to be taught, so it can be more difficult to apply some of the methods. Jumping through hoops to get the certification comes to mind! Pick something you’re passionate about for the short teaching session you have to do for the end of it and some kind of handout to go with it (fill in the blanks sheet or a summary sheet with links to further information both go down quite well).
Other than that, a quick search for “fist aid jobs” comes up with a variety of things – some in companies/factories as a dedicated first aider, usually coupled with some kind of admin role and some jobs with private ambulance companies.
Don’t know if it’s a viable option for you but you could always try the paramedic degree route if you want to go that far.
Posted by ambulanceamateur on July 5, 2010 at 21:12
I did C&G 7303 some years ago, but it only lasts for 3 years unless you are doing the teaching. I was for a while, but I’ve not done so for quite a time now. However, I did enjoy the (in-house) teaching I did.
I’d love to do the foundation degree in Paramedic Science/Practise but I reckon that at 57 they’d deem me too old. Many paramedics retire at 60.
I’m definitely looking for a First Aid/Ambulance job, so I keep looking on the ‘net. At the moment, there’s nowt in my area.
Posted by Tessa on July 7, 2010 at 08:30
If you’ve got FAW at least could you do some work for Private Medical Cover companies in the short term? Covering local events? They are often very happy with just First Aid at Work qualification. They might even recognise CFR. If you haven’t got FAW then join st john ambulance and do it with them for the member’s rate – i think down here it costs a member only about £75 whereas commercially it costs about £250. You will also meet lots of ambulance type people who know what work is available and get training experience useful for becoming a commercial first aid trainer.
Posted by Ambulance Amateur on July 23, 2010 at 21:07
I did C&G 7303 (now PTLLS) some years ago, as the company I was with wanted some of us to be able to teach FAW. I didn’t do much of that, but I did take over 100 people through a First Aid Awareness course before it became an official qualification.
My 7303 has now lapsed, and I’ve been considering renewing it. I’ve seen something local at £150, that I’d like to follow up. However, I’d like sharp-end work if I can get some. Training is very satisfying, but it’s not the same as actually doing.
I must admit, I hadn’t thought of private medical/FA cover – I’ll have to search the web.