West Midlands Ambulance Service recruiting up to 300 extra paramedics

Bosses have announced student positions are available across the region.

The service, which has one of the highest ratios of paramedics on the front line in the UK, helps students to learn on the job while they gain their qualifications. Between 200 and 300 positions are expected to be created in the latest recruitment drive.

Successful applicants will need to complete a 30-month training course to become a registered paramedic.

It comes just days after it was revealed that no ambulances were available in the whole of Shropshire for part of March 19.

The stark situation was revealed by Mark Docherty, director of clinical commissioning and service development at the service.

Mr Docherty was appearing before Shropshire Council's health scrutiny committee to answer concerns over the deterioration in the ambulances response times in the county.

But West Midlands Ambulance Service's chief executive Anthony Marsh said: "The new roles are being created to increase the paramedic workforce of the Trust still further.

"We already have one of the highest skill mixes in the country.

"It will also help the Trust to meet the increased demand that we have been experiencing."

Mr Marsh spoke out about why he believed people should apply for one of the new posts.

"As a paramedic you will have one of the most amazing careers; saving lives and helping people in their hour of need.

"As someone who has worked in the ambulance service for over 25 years, I know just how rewarding the job can be," he said.

During a similar recruitment drive in January last year, more than 1,000 people applied for one of 300 positions. While more than 20,000 people considered applying, looking at the job specification on the NHS Jobs website, which the service described at the time as being a 'staggering figure'.

During the 2014/15 financial year, the trust recruited 295 student paramedics.

Since 2010, the service has recruited more than 1,000 student paramedics.

To apply, requirements include a minimum of 5 GCSEs, including English, maths and science plus an A-level qualification or equivalent.

In addition, successful applicants must 'demonstrate a passion to deliver excellent patient care' and hold a full UK driving licence with no more than 3 points.

Those that apply must also have a Category C1 licence, a provisional C1 or have applied to gain one with DVLA.

Candidates must complete the application form via NHS Jobs. The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on Monday April 4.

Paper applications can be requested by calling the recruitment team on 01384 215 896.

The ambulance service has been dealing with increasing demand. On New Year's Eve, the service had 995 emergency calls between midnight and 4am, an increase of 15 per cent compared to the same period the previous year.

During the four hours before midnight, there were 634 calls, an increase of seven per cent.