On 8 July 2023 the College of Paramedics, the professional body for paramedics and the ambulance profession in the UK, will come together with more than 50 global paramedic associations, higher education institutions and affiliated organisations to raise awareness and create a better understanding of the breadth and depth of work carried out by paramedics around the world.
This year the theme for International Paramedics Day is “What Paramedics Do”, and below, Specialist Paramedic Jonny Bush from YAS HART gives an insight into the work he does and what it means to him.
How would you describe your role and the setting you work in?
I work for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team as a Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care. My role is to provide advanced clinical care and complex decision making for patients in complex and hazardous environments. I typically respond on a HART critical care response car to both HART incidents and critically unwell patients identified by our critical care desk in control.
What do you love most about your job?
A huge part of my role is educating, supporting and empowering the clinical practice of others whilst leading some of the most complex and time critical incidents identified in our region. It’s a privilege to have a job that allows me the platform to do this for my colleagues, improving confidence, competence and subsequently: outcomes for our patients which I’m very passionate about.
What do you think people would find surprising or unexpected about the work that you do?
I think people would be surprised to find that my work combines both advanced clinical practice, and the technical competencies required of a HART Paramedic – safely working at height, confined spaces, urban search and rescue, water rescue and more. It means that with my team, wherever a patient finds themselves, we are able to take highly specialised care to them.
What advice would you give someone wanting to enter the profession?
Aim big, focus on your goal and surround yourself with talented people you admire, they’ll drive you to new levels of performance you didn’t think you could achieve. And when things get tough, remember what it felt like at one time to want nothing more than to be doing the job you are doing right now.
Learn more about getting involved in International Paramedics Day here.