Salford Paramedic Ali Mohammed started his career in the ambulance sector working on a urgent care ambulance before training as an emergency medical technician and then qualifying as a paramedic in 2018. Ali sat down with us to talk about some of the challenges he faces on the job as well as the areas he finds most rewarding.

What does a day in the life of a paramedic look like to you?

No two hours are ever the same, especially as I work in and around central Manchester, a very diverse urban setting, going between three major trauma hospitals during any one shift. We can spend hours with one patient or just a few minutes, some days we can be held up in hospital corridors, other days we won’t even see a hospital, as we can see and treat patients at home. I find the difference in my shifts amazing; you never know what you will be faced with as each new day comes.

What are your favourite parts of your job?

I have proudly driven on blue lights since my first run 12 years, and I still love it just the same.

The gratitude that we receive from our patients are just priceless. I love being that reassuring presence amidst an emergency. To reassure a worried mind is just so rewarding. I feel privileged to work on the frontline, to help people when they find themselves vulnerable and in need of our help. Most importantly, us green people need our fellow green colleagues, especially when we find ourselves in a vulnerable state whether it be as a result of an accident or a personal issue.

What do you find challenging?

I would like to think that every job that frontline paramedics are sent to are challenging in some way or the other but for me, mental health emergencies can be more challenging especially when combined with another medical, trauma or social issue.

What is the one thing you want people to know about your job?

Paramedics can make best interest decisions for their patients in case patients lose capacity and are unable to decide for themselves.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue this as a career?

Saving someone’s life or helping someone when they are suffering with acute physical or mental concern is very rewarding to me. NWAS has played an integral part in saving both my parents lives on separate occasions. I now continue to do this for other people’s loved ones.

Thank you for sharing this with us Ali and Happy International Paramedics Day.