The Priory Academy LSST (Lincoln) recently visited the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance headquarters near Waddington, Lincolnshire to discover what it takes to be a doctor, paramedic or pilot.

The careers inspired session was organised by Enterprise Co-ordinator, Alex Nightingale, Greater Lincolnshire LEP. It was attended by Year 12 and Year 10 students who are looking for careers in different sectors of the medical profession.   

The school’s Careers and Pathways Assistant, Sam Morgan-Brown said: “It was lovely to visit the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) headquarters and hear the paramedics, doctors and pilots talk about their roles.  

“The morning has certainly broadened horizons about the different career paths and sectors in working with an air ambulance organization.”  

 

Different medical career pathways

The students were shown the different medical career pathways for paramedics and doctors and how, after extensive training, they would be trained to offer the best in pre-hospital care to patients involved in critical incidents.   

During their helicopter and base tour, the LNAA pilots Chris Attrill and James Donald talked through the career pathway to becoming an air ambulance pilot.  The crew discussed the importance of the team approach when working in the pre-hospital environment and that without this team ethos they wouldn’t be able to work to the high standards they currently achieve.   

Dr Jake Turner, one of the LNAA doctors, said: “It is intense, plus there are many distractions at the scene – you need time to develop to be able to work in that sort of field.”   

Although it can take up to ten years to become a paramedic or doctor working with Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, the students were left in no doubt of the great rewards if they chose this as their career.  

As one student stated: “It would be so satisfying, knowing that you have saved a life.” 

Dean Fathers, Chair of the Health and Care Enterprise Board and LEP Director, said:

“Emergency response units such as the LNAA are vital to providing expert, immediate-response medical interventions to people in urgent need across Greater Lincolnshire, who may otherwise struggle to access health facilities due to the rural nature of our region. The work they carry out truly is life saving.  

“It has been fantastic to see the next generation of our local workforce engaging with this hands-on skills event. Enterprise Co-ordinators at the LEP work tirelessly to organise informative and engaging experiences such as these; I hope the students found the day beneficial and would consider future careers in healthcare and emergency services!” 

   

Other career opportunities

It costs over £8 million per year to keep the helicopter and critical care cars operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance receives no direct funding from the government and relies on the generosity and goodwill of supporters through donations and fundraising. Other career opportunities vary, from fundraising to Human Resources, to Marketing and PR. 

For more details on the work of the Lincolnshire & Notts Air Ambulance visit their website here.  


Lincoln Medical School open day 

If you are interested in the medical profession the University of Lincoln is hosting an undergraduate open day allowing you to view the Lincoln Medical School on Saturday 17th September. Please click here for more details.