jobs

[shannonact1308]

hi guys,
im a type 1 diabetic and looking to go back into education to get the education I need to train to become a paramedic, im just wondering if there are any type 1 diabetics here that have gone through training and the hard work and become a fully qualified paramedic, and bot been turned away due to having diabetes.
thank you
shannon

 

[AndBreathe]

hi guys,
im a type 1 diabetic and looking to go back into education to get the education I need to train to become a paramedic, im just wondering if there are any type 1 diabetics here that have gone through training and the hard work and become a fully qualified paramedic, and bot been turned away due to having diabetes.
thank you
shannon

Shannon - how long have you been diagnosed T1?

I know someone, on a different forum who is in her first year of paramedic training, in Wales, so it clearly can be done.

I have no idea if the acceptance, or otherwise is impacted by location, but she did have to have a bunch of medical assessments, if I recall accurately.

She is pumping, with an Omnipod, has a Dexcom, and started looping a while ago. Her last A1c was in the thirties.

It would be rude of me to link to another forum, but if you want any further info, please send me a message.

 

[Ditto]

Good luck. 🙂

 

[Lisa66]

Hi Shannon, welcome along.

I have no idea either of the actual acceptance details either and whether this varies for different health authorities.

I am a great believer in not letting our condition stop us from trying /doing anything. However, I might look at this from another angle. How might this job impact on me and my diabetes. Please don’t take this as a negative.

My sister is a paramedic and has been for many years. I have had this conversation with her in the past.

She works 10 and 12 hour shifts which very often over run. Some days and nights they can be quite quiet, sat around waiting for a call, often on standby in the middle of nowhere, sometimes she’s on her own. Other shifts can be full on and very physical from the off and on these shifts she often doesn’t get a break until towards the end of her shift. As I’m sure you’re aware, it’s also not a matter of straight forward day and night shifts,the shifts start at various times and often there isn’t a pattern...so most weeks contain a mix of days and nights and often no two days in a row the same.

As I said please please don’t take this as a negative that’s not my intention at all, and I’m sure you know all this already. But I do know that for me, I would find it very difficult to carry out this job while monitoring my levels as well as keeping my diabetes on an even keel generally...maybe that’s just me.

Having said all that I do wish you all the best.
(Sorry for the ramble).

 

[Jha19]

With ambulances often now weighing in over 3.5t, you'll probably need to be able to qualify for a C1 licence, falling under the stricter dvla rules.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

All the best with your education and training @shannonact1308

might be worth having a conversation with the paramedic course early on perhaps?

I would imagine Diabetes UK could offer support, if you were being unfairly discriminated against because of your diabetes.

 

[PhoebeC]

Did you have any luck in the research?