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Become a Medical Regulatory Assistant in France

Proposed by JRS France Updated on il y a 17 jours

Working in a call center for the Samu-Centre 15 emergency medical service, the medical dispatch assistant (ARM) manages emergency medical calls. They must listen to and analyze each call and prioritize them through precise questioning.

Once the request is processed, they contact the hospital, the attending physician, or the fire department as needed. They are responsible for collecting the first aid reports and informing the receiving facilities of the patient's imminent arrival.

While waiting to begin the process of obtaining authorization to practice in France, doctors with diplomas from outside the European Union can undertake short training to become medical regulation assistants.

This job requires a very good level of French (minimum C1). You must be proficient in medical vocabulary to properly guide patients.

To work in this field, you need to obtain a medical dispatch diploma (level 4 qualification, equivalent to a high school diploma). This is an 11-month training program with several internship periods. Eligibility is based on application review and admission is based on an interview.

It can be monitored according to different statuses:

  • Initial training: for students and high school graduates.
  • Continuing professional training: for employees undergoing career changes or job seekers.
  • Apprenticeship (alternating work and study): to study for free while being paid by an employer (a SAMU).
The training takes place in a CFARM (Centre de Formation des Assistants de Régulation Médicale - Training Centre for Medical Regulation Assistants). The training lasts a total of 1470 hours, comprising 21 weeks of classroom instruction and 21 weeks of practical placements.

How to do it?

To be eligible to apply, you must:

  • Have obtained the French baccalaureate.
  • OR have a certificate of equivalence for a foreign diploma (recognition of foreign diplomas is done with ENIC-NARIC France).
  • OR provide proof of at least 3 years of full-time professional activity in France (with proof of contribution to the French social security system).

Admission is based on an application and an interview. The application must be sent to the relevant CFARM (pay attention to the admission schedule).

If the candidate passes the first stage, they will receive a summons for the exam. The exam is an oral interview where the candidate will be questioned about their motivations.

Documents required for the application (non-exhaustive list, please verify with the relevant CFARM):

  • photocopy of identity card
  • resume
  • cover letter
  • ID photo
  • photocopy of last diploma or certificate
  • language proficiency certificate (level to be verified with CFARM)
  • zpplication fees (to be verified with CFARM)...

If the candidate is accepted, they will be contacted to finalize their registration.

Admission begins with a selection phase based on application. Registrations are not centralized: you must complete your application directly with the CFARM(s) of your choice.

What your file should contain:

  • The completed center's information sheet has been completed.
  • A photocopy of a valid identity document (identity card, passport or residence permit).
  • A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
  • A handwritten or typed cover letter.
  • A photocopy of your latest diploma (Baccalaureate or ENIC-NARIC equivalent ).
  • A medical certificate of up-to-date vaccinations (immunization against Hepatitis B is mandatory for internships).
  • Depending on the centre: an extract from criminal record (bulletin n°3) and payment of the processing fee (approximately €50).
📅 When to send the application? The schedules depend on each center.
For a September start, applications are generally submitted between February and June. For a January start , applications often close in September. Check the website of your chosen CFARM at the beginning of the year.

The selection process takes place in two stages regulated by French law (Decree of July 19, 2019, as amended):

  • Step 1: Eligibility (File review) The jury studies your complete file to assess the coherence of your professional project and your career path.
  • Step 2: Admission (The Oral Interview) If your application is successful, you will have a 20-30 minute oral interview with a panel of professionals (Center Director, Emergency Medical Services physician, Emergency Medical Technician). This interview will assess your motivation, stress resistance, listening skills, and ability to work as part of a team in emergency situations.

If you already have significant experience in call handling or the medical field, some CFARMs accept partial or full validation of the diploma through VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience). You must complete the official Cerfa form no. 12818 and send it to the certifying body.

The VAE process is a long and complex one.
Training exemptions: If you already hold a French diploma as a nursing assistant, childcare assistant, or ambulance driver, you may be eligible for partial training exemptions. Contact your local CFARM (Centre de Formation des Medics et de Soins Ambulatoires) for more information.

What happens next?

There are application fees for the selection tests and annual tuition fees. Several organizations can cover the cost of your training:

  • France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi),
  • Your Personal Training Account (MyCPFAccount)
  • The Directorate General for Healthcare Provision,
  • The Region (which finances a large part of the health and social care training)
  • Apprenticeship (tuition fees are then fully covered by the employer SAMU)
  • Scholarships from the Region or programs like Campus Bourse France can help you on a daily basis throughout the year.

An ARM is a category B employee of the public hospital service . Once you have graduated, you can apply directly to public hospitals housing an SAMU (Emergency Medical Service) or on hospital job sites.

  • Salary: Monthly pay starts at approximately €1,836 gross (excluding night, weekend and on-call bonuses).
  • Career progression: After a few years of experience, you can progress to positions such as medical call center supervisor or ARM coordinator.
  • Career paths: This ARM diploma also gives you the right to exemptions from training if you wish to reorient yourself later towards other care professions (nursing assistant, ambulance driver).

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