Paramedic placements can be daunting – you’ll be working in a range of settings and supporting individuals with a variety of conditions. There are new colleagues to work with, and newly learned theory to put into practice.

This pocket guide is designed to make your placements much more enjoyable and less stressful. From ambulance placements to stroke assessment, via manual handling, it’s full of practical detail, hints and tips.

Written by an experienced lecturer with key input from students – this guidance is really produced with you in mind. Pocket-sized format – carry it with you at all times.

Space to make your own notes – be it uniform policy, new terminology, or just the names of your new colleagues! Reduce your stress and make the most of your placements by having this book to hand from the start. ContentsBefore you go 1.

Preparing for placement 1. 1 Planning for your first day 1.

2 Absence 2. Professionalism 2.

1 Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) 2. 2 College of Paramedics 2.

3 Social media use Going on placement 3. Your first day 4.

Working with your practice educator 4. 1 Issues in practice Settling there 5.

Communication and documentation 5. 1 Communication 5.

2 Documentation 5. 3 Incident reporting/DATIX 5.

4 Alternative communication aids 6. Patient assessments 6.

1 Assessing response levels 6. 2 Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE) 6.

3 Basic life support 6. 4 Sepsis 6 6.

5 Stroke Assessment 6. 6 Assessment of pain 6.

7 Mental capacity assessment 7. Medications 7.

1 Routes of administration 7. 2 Common medications used in the ambulance service 8.

Manual handling 9. Hand hygiene 10.

Assessments in practice Going on ambulance placements 11. Ambulance placement 11.

1 What to expect 11. 2 Potential learning outcomes 11.

3 Roles and responsibilities 11. 4 Uniform 11.

5 Common ambulance terminology Going on non-traditional placements 12. Making the most of non-traditional placements 12.

1 Common non-ambulance placement terminology 13. Care homes 13.

1 What to expect 13. 2 Potential learning outcomes 13.

3 Roles and responsibilities 13. 4 Uniform 14.

Hospices 14. 1 What to expect 14.

2 Potential learning outcomes 14. 3 Roles and responsibilities 14.

4 Uniform 15. Community/primary care 15.

1 What to expect 15. 2 Potential learning outcomes 15.

3 Roles and responsibilities 15. 4 Uniform 16.

Acute hospital setting 16. 1 What to expect 16.

2 Potential learning outcomes 16. 3 Roles and responsibilities 16.

4 Uniform 17. Maternity 17.

1 What to expect 17. 2 Potential learning outcomes 17.

3 Roles and responsibilities 17. 4 Uniform 17.

5 Specific maternity terms Moving on 18. Reflection and personal development 19.

FAQs. .