Operational support team helps nearly 50 staff in west Norfolk

In September last year, a dedicated Operational Support Team (OST) was created in west Norfolk to support student paramedics and staff on progression pathways.

The team of four paramedic mentors also offer support to any other staff and operate 20 hours per day and all day at weekends to provide guidance. So far they have helped 40 student paramedics and eight ECAs progressing to EMT.

In addition to providing this core support, the team organise regular days dedicated to specific areas of training so that students feel both confident and competent in the skills they need to be effective on the road. This includes capturing the core elements of the students PAD, and also working with our partner blue-light colleagues.

Before starting on the road, the students receive a visit from one of the team during their training, to give them an outline of the support that they can expect and also the name of their operational mentor. After completing their local induction they will then work two sets of shifts on OST third manning.

Through the support of all staff in west Norfolk, the DLO team and our core Scheduler Dave James, approximately 95% of shifts in West Norfolk are Paramedic/EMT with a student. This not only provides excellent support for the students but also ensures that they meet their 750 hour quota in the first year.

The support for students does not stop as they go into year two and continues until they qualify as paramedics.

Feedback from students:

"Having joined EEAST naive and blind with no medical experience, and having gone through the assessment process and training period uninformed, unadvised and unenlightened, I was delighted and encouraged to find such a great support network of Paramedic Mentors at Kings Lynn. Thank you...!" - James, SAP

"OST are always on hand to deal with any problems students may have ranging from social to academic, they're always extremely humble , polite and give the boost of confidence some students need" - Matt, SAP

Published 31st July 2015