Young nurse from Western Pomerania starts new dream in the emergency service

Young nurse from Western Pomerania starts new dream in the emergency service

More and more people are taking the leap into the field of emergency paramedics. A remarkable case is Gina Marie Steffen, who completed her first year of training to become an emergency paramedic at the DRK Nordvorpommern in Grimmen at the age of 24. She previously worked as a nurse in Greifswald and now wants to get to know medical care outside of the clinic. She is particularly interested in working independently in the rescue service, as she explained in a conversation with the head of the rescue service, Thomas Krey. This emphasizes that many career changers come from the clinical environment in order to better combine family and career.

Interest in training to become an emergency paramedic remains unbroken. There are currently 50 full-time employees and eight trainees working in the five DRK rescue stations in Northern Western Pomerania. Two to three new trainees are hired every year, and the demand is enormous: Last year there were a whopping 75 applications for three positions - this gives a clear insight into how highly valued this profession is. The training to become an emergency paramedic lasts three years and is independent of previous medical knowledge.

Process and requirements of the training

Theoretical lessons take place in block lessons in Greifswald, while practical units are also integrated. Even if some internships are canceled due to previous knowledge, all prospective emergency paramedics must take exams in various forms: three written, four practical and three oral. The training is based on the legal framework of the Emergency Paramedic Act (NotSanG), which has been in force since January 1, 2014, and stands out from the previous training as a paramedic.

The training is divided into three areas: vocational school, hospital and rescue station. During this time, the trainees are permanently employed by a rescue service organization and receive a training allowance in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining regulations. The employer also covers the costs of school training. Requirements are a secondary school leaving certificate or an equivalent education, successfully completed at least two years of vocational training and health suitability.

The job description of the emergency paramedic

Emergency paramedics are not only responsible for providing initial care to patients, they also have to be able to react quickly. Your hands are in demand when it comes to providing first aid in medical emergencies, monitoring vital signs and assessing patient health. The work is carried out in an ambulance that travels at speeds of up to 100 km/h and costs 160,000 euros.

Emergency paramedics also ensure communication with emergency doctors and hospitals and are responsible for documenting operations. The future prospects in this professional field are excellent as the demand for qualified personnel remains high. Working hours in shifts, including on weekends, are part of everyday working life. The equipment is rounded off by practical work clothing that is in signal colors so that they can be quickly recognized even in an emergency.

The training and career of an emergency paramedic offers an exciting path for anyone who wants to work in a systemically important industry. Anyone interested in becoming part of this important service can contact several cooperation partners directly, including the DRK Ambulanzdienste or Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe.