Tuesday 10 January 2012

Students Shadow Lifesavers

Forth Valley College students have been invited to join highly trained Scottish Ambulance Service crews on the medical front-line as part of a unique work experience initiative.

A total of 17 Higher Health Care students are the first to take part in the scheme which will see them each spend one full shift out with a Stirling based crew which responds to 999 emergency calls.

The experience gained by the students will be invaluable as they observe highly trained paramedics in action saving people’s lives on the front-line of the National Health Service.

Student Frances Robinson (26) from Carronshore, Falkirk, said: “I had an amazing experience out with the ambulance crew. I had thought about going down a different healthcare route, but this experience means I am considering ways of becoming a paramedic. I would thoroughly recommend healthcare students to do something like this if they can as the ambulance crews are so knowledgeable and helpful.”

Julie Robertson (34) from Stenhousemuir who is in the same class as Frances, said: “I’ve not been out yet with the crew, but I am really looking forward to it. I want to be a midwife, but I feel it is important to see other aspects of healthcare and I’m sure this will be very worthwhile.”

Alos on the work experience programme was Nicolle Clubb (19) from Alva. She said: “Spending a full shift with the ambulance crew was an amazing experience. I loved having the tour of the ambulance and finding out about the equipment they use. I wanted to be a nurse, but seeing what they do has made me think about trying to become a paramedic. Spending time with an ambulance crew is definitely worthwhile if you are interested in health care.”

Fellow student Lizica Mitroi (36) from Stirling, said: “It was a really great worthwhile experience and I would definitely recommend other students to do something like this if they can. I am hoping to become a nurse and what the crew – who were very helpful and friendly – told me will be very useful in my career.”

Jane Muir, a lecturer in the Department of Care, Health and Sport Department at FVC, said: “We have arranged that the learners in the class go out with the ambulance crew for a shift and Murray McEwan – Community Resuscitation and Development Officer from the Scottish Ambulance Service - also came to the College and spoke to the learners about the role of the Paramedic. This experience has given the College the prospect of forging important links with the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“I am delighted with the opportunity that this gives the learners on the Healthcare courses at Forth Valley College. It is a valuable chance to see first hand the vital role the Paramedic plays in response to emergency situations as well as demonstrating how the Paramedic is a key part of the Healthcare Team. Many of these learners will be in the process of making significant career choices and following this experience they may now consider a career within the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Murray McEwan from the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the students to see the complete patient journey and the work that the Scottish Ambulance Service does to care for the patients that we come in to contact with. This opportunity will give the students a unique insight in to pre-hospital care and the clinical decision making process that paramedics go through when dealing will all categories of patients.”

Tags: Care social science and early education, Current students, Full-time

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Forth Valley College of Further and Higher Education. Grangemouth Road, Falkirk FK2 9AD
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