James McCarthy

I qualified as a paramedic in 2019 after achieving a 2.1 degree in paramedic science at the University of Greenwich. My career has focused predominantly on emergency response; however, I would like to expand my knowledge base in the urgent care sector. I work full-time for the East of England Ambulance Service, based in Hertfordshire. I currently work four 12-hour shifts each week, working alongside my colleagues, responding to accidents, emergencies, and urgent calls. I work in a largely rural area, yet nearby are major roads such as the A1M and M25, and large towns such as Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City and Hertford. Throughout my career so far, I have performed formal reflective accounts of my practice and any additional training undertaken. These focus on describing, analysing, and improving upon my practice by formulating action plans and learning new skills. Actively reflecting on past experiences, refine my practice on a day-to-day basis in line with up-to-date and peer-reviewed evidence.

Over the past three years as a paramedic, I have completed the newly qualified paramedic (NQP) consolidation of learning and continue to gain experience and competence with each shift. I have also trained as a paramedic practice educator and enjoy mentoring student paramedics, NQPs and technicians on the road. Additional training, including wound closure, Teleflex EZ-IO, and advanced life support (ALS) courses, has further expanded my learning at university and has proven invaluable when faced with certain patient presentations. Joining the specialist operation response team (SORT) has taught me important skills such as major incident triage, decontamination, and the management of catastrophic haemorrhage. SORT operatives across the country are tasked with responding to marauding terrorist attacks and incidents involving CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives). Training exercises with SORT have significantly improved my ability to operate alongside the Police, Fire and Military services as part of a multi-agency team. 

University of Greenwich Paramedic Science BSc Hons 2.1

Resuscitation Council ALS Certification.