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Carl Smith
I joined the ambulance service in 2000 as a trainee ambulance technician and qualified as a Paramedic in 2003. I then worked in the Norwich ambulance control room for 2 years and during this time also responded to 999 calls from the control room when required.
I was promoted to Team Leader in 2005 and to Clinical Field Operations Manager in 2007. In 2008 I completed the MAGPAS medical team course which was my introduction to care. I passed my Diploma in Immediate medical care at the Royal Surgeons of Edinburgh in 2008 and a Diploma in community health care practice at the University of East Anglia.
I volunteered for MAGPAS for five years and was worked alongside some amazing Doctors and learnt a great deal. In 2012 I completed the London HEMS critical care course and started flying with the East Anglian Air Ambulance and still fly with them on a regular basis. I went through a rigorous sign off of competencies to enable me to work as a solo critical care Paramedic after completing this joined NARS.
We are one of a few BASICS charities who respond to calls to support ambulance crews at our most critically unwell medical and injured trauma patients. We will work alongside colleagues in the ambulance service and when required will call for an enhanced medical team.
I love the patient contact and enjoy supporting crews to do skills that they are not exposed to on a regular basis. NARS is an amazing charity and has supported me both clinically and also with my education.
I am currently studying towards my MSc in critical care and this is something I would not have been able to do without the support from the charity and colleagues within the team.
I make myself available most of the time when I am not at work to respond to calls and this allows me to give something back to NARS and the community of Norfolk.
In my little spare time I am a Retained Firefighter at Kings Lynn which I have been doing for the past 20 years.
My full time role within the ambulance is a Quality Improvement and Professional Standards Officer. I am married with two sons ages 21 and 24.
