A paramedic in public health

I have worked in healthcare for 10 years and have always enjoyed caring for patients. However, while working as a paramedic, I began to develop a strong interest in preventing disease and illness, as well as healthcare system reform. This redirected me towards public health in October 2019 when I applied for a Public Health Masters to explore this interest. I wanted to gain a better understranding of what hospitals do for patients brought in by the ambulance service. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine allows advanced clinical practitioners from paramedic and nursing backgrounds to access their specialty portfolio, standardising the role of advanced clinical practice in emergency care.

When March 2020 hit, I was still working frontline for the ambulance service. However, unfortunately, I became infected with COVID-19 and developed heart and liver problems, which led to my redeployment. During this time, a Health Protection Practitioner role was advertised for at Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)). I was slightly unsure of what it involved but decided to apply for it. To my surprise (and excitement!), I was offered the role.