Training and Education
Student and Trainee Paramedic
- Applying to become a Student Paramedic consists of:
- a written application
- psychometric testing
- panel interview
- driving assessment
- medical/fitness assessments
- probity screening and
- reference checks
- Once accepted into the Ambulance Service, new applicants complete an eight week induction course studying preliminary clinical and practical skills and undertake driver awareness assessments to become trainee paramedics.
- Graduates are assigned to a training station, either metropolitan or regional, where they commence a nine month on-road training program with an on-road clinical mentor applying their studies to a practical environment and are provided with full-time supervision.
- As part of the three year education program to achieve the level of Paramedic, Student Paramedics undertake distance education to prepare them for their return to the Education Centre following their initial on-road practicum. This return occurs close to the completion of the first 12 months of service. A further three weeks of classroom study, training and assessments prepares the Student Paramedic for deployment to a station as a Trainee Paramedic.
- Following a further two years experience trainee paramedics return to the Education Centre to further their clinical knowledge, acquire new skills and complete a number of practical and theoretical assessments. If successful Trainee Paramedics are awarded a Diploma in Paramedical Science-Pre-Hospital Care and qualify as paramedics.
- Various university graduates who have obtained pre-hospital or paramedical science qualifications can be fast-tracked to paramedic status after a one-year period through the recognition of prior learning process.
- Rotating shift work, country posting opportunities in their second year, exposure to emergency situations, and patient and community interaction are all part of the role of a Student and Trainee Paramedic.
Click here for more information on becoming a Trainee Paramedic.
Paramedic
- Qualified Paramedics obtain their Diploma in Paramedical Science after successfully completing their three year (or equivalent) training and study.
- Paramedics assess, treat and stabilise patients at the scene and then continue this en-route during transport to hospital. They have the ability to apply many life saving skills and drug administrations to assist in a wide variety of illnesses and accidental injuries.
- Skills acquired include;
- Establishing a drip for intravenous fluids.
- Administering pain relief medications.
- Administering life saving adrenaline to severe allergic and asthmatic patients.
- Advanced airway care with Laryngeal Mask Airway insertion.
- Defibrillation of patients in cardiac arrest.
Paramedics can apply their skills unsupervised and take on the role as clinical mentor for junior officers. They have reached a platform from which they can diversify their career into areas such as rescue or communications. After four year’s experience within Ambulance Paramedics can apply to undertake an advanced diploma to become an Intensive Care Paramedic.
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