A Day in a life of a Paramedic

If you're considering this noble helping profession look no further. Maddie is a young paramedic saving lives one day at a time. She will share her experiences first-hand so you don't have to research far. At the end of the article you will know the key advantages disadvantages and highlights of this profession so read on. 

Can you shortly describe a typical day on the job?

Typically we see about 5 - 7 patients in our 12-hour shift that all range in age. We see a lot of different presentations and every patient is never the same. We get small breaks between each patient to complete paperwork use the utilities and eat. With some patients we have to implement a lot of treatment for their presentation; however with others sometimes it’s just simply a trip to the hospital.

Why did you choose a paramedic as your career? What or who inspired you to do so?

The idea that every day would be different and that we get to meet new people every time we had a new patient was why I chose to be a paramedic. I love helping people and making them feel better even if it's just a little bit.

What are three key personality aspects or skills that make for a paramedic?

1. Compassion
2. Patience
3. Problem-Solving

What have you learned about yourself through the work that you do?

I am a lot stronger than I think I have learned that I am systematic and prioritise what I need to do on big jobs when lots of important things need to happen.

What’s been your best moment while doing your work?

There are a lot of good moments at work but the best is when you implement lots of treatment for someone who is unwell. You see them starting to get better - it’s nice to go and check up on them at the hospital and to see that they have significantly improved and to see what the doctor has diagnosed them with to see if your suspicions and treatments were on the right path.

And a difficult moment?

Definitely when you work on a patient who is in cardiac arrest and then due to circumstances we cease to work on them. Seeing the family and explaining what has happened is often hard and can be distressing.

How do you keep going when things get challenging?

Debriefing with colleagues is extremely important especially after challenging jobs. Even talking to family and friends about how things are going is another way for me to decompress.

Are there any surprising or odd things people wouldn’t expect if they picked this career?

Some of the things that we see on a day-to-day basis can be surprising!

Can you share a funny or weird story about something you experienced in your role?

Driving around at night time becomes eerie and scary. I remember my work partner was telling me a scary story on the way to a job. At 3 am we were walking around an apartment block and a cat popped out at us and we both screamed and ran back to the ambulance.

What advice would you give young people considering pursuing a career in this industry?

Ensure you have a support system and feel confident enough to speak out about things that don’t sit right with you or if you feel like you are struggling.