How to become a Critical Care Paramedic
A paramedic with enhanced critical-care skills for the most seriously ill and injured patients — often on air ambulance and specialist response teams.
Entry routes
- From Paramedic: PGCert Critical Care + experience (~3 yrs)
What you'll need
Qualifications
Admin
- UCAS / university application (degree route)
Funding
- Funding or apprenticeship sponsorship
Registration
- HCPC registration (allied health professional)
Experience
- 2+ years post-registration experience
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A typical path
£25,272 now → £49,387 in 6 yrs
- £25,272
Healthcare Assistant
Year 0 · Band 2 · entry
- £32,073
Paramedic
Year 3 · Band 5 · entry
- £34,592
Paramedic
Year 5 · Band 5 · intermediate
- £49,387
Critical Care Paramedic
Year 6 · Band 7 · entry
- £51,932
Critical Care Paramedic
Year 8 · Band 7 · intermediate
Common questions
How long does it take to become a Critical Care Paramedic?
3–4 years from paramedic — see the step-by-step timeline above for a typical path.
See what you'd earn as a Critical Care Paramedic
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Indicative — England 2026/27 Agenda for Change basic pay, excludes High Cost Area Supplements, unsocial-hours and overtime. Typical timings are national averages, not guarantees. Not financial advice. See data sources.