"As an EMT in Ireland it can be quite difficult to find work as a front-line clinician, so the EMT to AAP Up-Skill Course offers a great opportunity to progress towards work responding to 999 calls in the UK, all while expanding your EMS skills and scope of practice. With advice from Hart EMS staff, it was easy to plan the next steps, whether you plan on working with a private provider in the UK, or with the NHS who offer a natural progression onto the UK Paramedic qualification. The high standard of clinical education I received on the course stood out in particular, all of the training was provided by Advanced Paramedics, some with relevant experience working in the UK, which proved invaluable. I would highly recommend this course to any PHECC EMT."

"I have been an EMT since 2016. I was always hoping to go on the next level, but unfortunately finding a course suitable was proving difficult. In 2023 I started on the journey to AAP level with another provider, after being told I had to do certain courses to even get on to the AAP, I started with the other provider. After paying for a course that wasn't required and getting the run around to progress to the next level, I was told about the AAP course with Hart EMS. The expertise and advice from both the management and instructors with Hart are second to none. I would highly recommend this course and Hart EMS to anyone that is considering a career in the ambulance or medical field. Thank you guys and look forward to the next step in my career."

"Can't thank everyone at HART EMS enough for their ongoing support, advice and wisdom throughout the AAP course. They have amazing and passionate tutors that are there to answer every question and always happy to help. I'm looking forward to pursuing the next steps in fully qualifying as an AAP with the help and support of everyone at HART. Would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to expand their career opportunities!"

"Just want to thank HART ems so much for the effort, support and training. Honestly can't thank you all enough, from the insight and real world expertise of the tutors doing the training and staff turning up on days off to help us with extra training and get hands-on experience with the equipment. Can't speak highly enough of you all , you've delivered on everything you've said and more. Cheers"

Ciaran completed the Irish EMT to AAP upskill with us and completed his student AAP hours with our private frontline ambulance provider. He had a permanent mentor assigned to him to assist him through his 750 hours needed to achieve his Qualsafe Level 4 Diploma Associate Ambulance Practitioner qualification. We have been with him every step of the way until graduation to make sure he achieves this. “As an EMT within Ireland I always wanted to progress into the frontline services, this course gave me that opportunity. It was tough with self learning and trying to identify where I needed to build on my own skills and knowledge as well as the classroom element but the team at HART where with me and the cohort every step of the way, always ready and willing to lend a hand be it understanding certain theory elements or getting practice on new skills or skills I hadn’t used in a long time, they could not have been more supportive. I have enjoyed every step towards my career in the ambulance service while on this course and look forward to building upon my medical knowledge with HART in the future”

“Embarking on the journey as an EMT to AAP, I found unwavering support from dedicated tutors and staff at HART EMS. The initial steps were filled with comprehensive training, laying a strong foundation for the skills that lay ahead. The transition from EMT to an Associate Ambulance Practitioner (AAP) was a transformative phase. The part-time schedule every second weekend allowed for a flexible approach to learning, facilitated by advanced paramedics with rich experience from both the NHS and HSE. This exposure provided a unique perspective on healthcare systems, enriching my understanding. During my placement, the guidance of an assigned mentor and collaboration with colleagues at my base became pivotal. The fact that it was a paid placement, coupled with free accommodation, made the decision to pursue AAP in the UK an easy one. This placement will be marked as one of the best experiences of my career from the hands-on experiences, a real-world application of skills learned and put into practice . Now, as a qualified AAP, doors to a multitude of job opportunities have swung open. The journey culminated not just in a certification but in the empowerment to choose from various pathways for further education. The possibilities extend into both hospital and pre-hospital environments, creating a spectrum of choices for professional growth.”

“From finding out about the course in 2022 I was second guessing myself on whether or not to go for it. After attending the open day in Hart EMS I knew this was what I wanted to do. After doing the interviews for both the private company and SECAMB NHS trust, I knew going to SECAMB was where I wanted to be due to the opportunity of getting UK Paramedic status on the completion of the AAP and the support systems that SECAMB have. After completing the classroom learning, course work and driving course both held in Dublin I headed over to the UK to start my placement hours. I started out with the private company in June of 2023 as I had missed the first Secamb induction earlier in the year. With the private company paying for my hotel accommodation I knew I had nothing to worry about when I arrived. With the help of my fellow classmates who had started a couple weeks before me in the private provider it made it easy for me to settle in to the new work environment that I was being faced with. They where able to show me around the base, show me the ins and outs of what to do and being able to get my first shift out with one of them really helped with me getting used to being out on the road in a frontline ambulance and helped with the nerves. After six weeks working for the private provider I made the trip down to Surrey to SECAMB for induction and to begin my time there. Secamb kindly accepted my time already served in the private provider so I didn’t have to start again. After moving over to the UK permanently in August 2023, SECAMB could not have made the move any easier. SECAMB has accommodation for all international students coming over while we attend our transition to practice course. This course for me consisted of four days of learning. We were taught by different members of SECAMB such as specialist paramedics. Over the four days we went through a lot of scenarios, got hands on with the vehicles and equipment and also going through local pathways (what hospital does a patient go to with a specific injury/illness). In September I then started on my station. On day one I met my mentor who I can go to if I am having issues etc. I was given a tour of the base and around the hospitals and the area, this helped me to settle in and getting to know the process of handing over helped with the nerves. Being able to be on a set rota with set crew mates helped as they where able to help me with my development. I recently completed a shift with a critical care paramedic this helped me to gain huge experience with the bigger jobs that you don’t see everyday. During my placement hours having the support from Hart EMS back in Dublin has helped a lot, any issues that I have had or anything that I have needed they have been able to sort out for me. They set up regular meetings with you and your mentor to see how your progressing and if your needing any extra help. I have finished my 750 hours of placement and am just about to sit my final exams. I couldn’t have gotten to this position without the help of everyone at Hart EMS. If anyone of thinking about doing this course I wouldn’t second guess it. The opportunities that you have over in the UK are endless”. Ger Walsh “As a parent guiding your just out of college child to their choosen career in the emergency services I can't compliment the guys at Hart EMS enough. Everything that they said would be done has been done to get her AAP qualifications, 110% Recommend”.

Keith joined HART ems on our Emergency Medical Technician to Associate Ambulance Practitioner Program and is currently completing his paid placement hours with one of our private providers, while on shift Keith also has his accommodation paid, this is an arrangement with our private providers. While on placement Keith is given a permanent mentor to help guide him on placement and prepare him to be a frontline clinician. “I’ve spent a massive portion of my life working within the community and volunteering with Civil Defence, through this it sparked my love of pre-hospital and helping individuals who may be ill or injured, throughout my career I have ventured into several specialties such as Water rescue but I have always wanted to work my way onto a frontline ambulance. When I saw HART offer their EMT to AAP course I knew this was my chance. The team at HART have been incredible all along the way and always made sure I was supported, even now while on placement they are in contact making sure everything is running smoothly. If any EMT wants to work frontline I would highly recommend this course with HART”