Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 19 April 2024 at 15:03
They came, they saw – and now they want to join us!
Forty-six graduate paramedics travelled from far and wide on Saturday (28th February) to take part in our latest graduate assessment day at the HQ in Melbourn.
After a quick introduction to the assessment team - a mix of frontline, training and support staff - the students were thrown in at the deep end and asked to produce a viable patient safety campaign in under an hour.
Before tucking into lunch the grads were treated to a quick talk on our nationally renowned driver training course, and took part in the mysterious ‘whose bag is it?’ exercise.
HR Manager Sarah came up with the concept: “Groups are given a collection of bags developed by someone, containing personal effects which represent them,” she said. “We then ask them to discuss the type of person they believe owns the bag like their age, gender, and hobbies etc.
“We are looking to see how they manage stereotypes, how comfortable they are with something so unexpected and how they defend their conclusions and decisions.”
After conceptualising an advanced defibrillator, some CPR ‘mitts’ and some child-friendly nebulising masks in the afternoon’s equipment-inventor challenge, the graduates got the chance to quiz the assessment team on all things EEAST.
Sarah added that the day was a huge success: “Many of the graduates said that we had changed their perception of EEAST and would now be making us their first choice employer. Given the competitive nature of the market, it’s essential that we make a day that’s interesting, engaging and fun so we stand out from the crowd.
“Having more than 40 people attend was a fantastic achievement and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped to make the day such a triumph. We’d welcome anyone in the Trust who wants to help support future events to get in touch.”
The day’s successful graduates will hear next week if they’re to be invited back for the next stage of the process - an interview with an assessment panel.
Graduate paramedic Rosalie Jones one was of the many who took to Twitter to give feedback on the day: “On my way home from @EastEnglandAmb assessment day! Awesome time. Nail biting week ahead! #graduateparamedics” (@neverlupus).
The Trust holds six graduate paramedic events a year, with the next one scheduled for Friday 13th March at Cambourne, followed by one on Saturday, 25th April in Melbourn.
The Trust tweeted live from the assessment day to give the public an insight to what goes on behind the scenes; you can look back at the tweets by visiting @EastEnglandAmb or using #graduateparamedics – have a look at some of the tweets we got in response…
Grand day out at @EastEnglandAmb meeting some possible future colleagues. Many thanks to all for organising an informative and fun day!
— Jess (@JulietBravo_1) February 28, 2015
What an amazing day at @EastEnglandAmb assessment day. Such a relaxing atmosphere. Next the wait #graduateparamedic
— Lauren Amy Taylor (@xo_lt) February 28, 2015
Enjoyable assessment day with @EastEnglandAmb now for the longest week of my life! #fingerscrossed #granddayout #graduateparamedics
— Dev (@DEVTHEDEVDEV) February 28, 2015
On my way home from @EastEnglandAmb assessment day! Awesome time. Nail biting week ahead! #graduateparamedic 🚑
— Rosalie Jones (@neverlupus_) February 28, 2015
Published 5th March 2015