Would you know what to do if you were the first to arrive at the scene of an accident? Ambulance paramedics are trained to know exactly what to do.

In Western Australia there are about 350 ambulance paramedics. The majority work in the Perth metropolitan area. Although around 87% of ambulance paramedics are male, females are strongly encouraged to consider this occupation.

Each year, around 20-25 people commence the Bachelor of Science (Paramedical Science) through St John Ambulance. A similar number of places are offered in non-degree courses. These numbers may fluctuate from year to year.

Trust Them, They Know What To Do

Ambulance paramedics are trained to give emergency care to injured or sick people requiring urgent assistance.

Ambulance paramedic, Terry Ward is employed by St John Ambulance Australia, the primary employer of ambulance paramedics in Western Australia. Knowing that the care he gives can often be the difference between life and death, leaves him in no doubt that his work is worthwhile. And working in an environment where each call out is different, outweighs the illness, injury and the hazardous conditions Terry comes face to face with each day.


No Two Days The Same

Ambulance paramedics provide all sorts of pre-hospital emergency care. On any given day, ambulance paramedics may have to treat a patient in need of emergency care while the ambulance is travelling at high speed en route to the hospital. They may be called upon to assist a woman who has gone into labour, apply spinal support to a car crash victim or resuscitate a patient with no pulse. Other emergency services such as police or fire and rescue officers will frequently be working alongside them in these situations.

Ambulance paramedics are stationed at St John Ambulance depots, where they work in teams of two. According to a St John Ambulance spokesperson, about 70% of call outs involve the provision of routine medical transport services; the remainder involves trauma incidents where domestic injuries, or workplace and road accidents, are dealt with.

Patients are treated in a variety of locations, including sporting events and concerts where, due to the large number of people present, ambulance paramedics are required to be on duty. When not out on the road or providing pre-hospital care, ambulance paramedics are likely to be involved in compiling patient reports and ensuring that the ambulance is clean and fully stocked.


Can You Handle The Sight Of Blood?

Keep in mind that this is not an occupation suited to the faint hearted. If you're the type of person who faints at the sight of blood, you won't last long. Being able to work under pressure, and staying calm in stressful situations, is also critical. Someone's life could be resting in your hands so you don't want to be shaking with nerves!

Good listening and analytical skills are required to help you diagnose a patient's condition. Ambulance paramedics must also be aware of patients' rights and respect the religious and cultural beliefs of patients, as well as being very fit so they can lift patients, often in awkward positions, in and out of ambulances. need to be very fit.

Although the majority of paramedics in Western Australia work as ambulance paramedics, there are also industrial paramedics employed in the construction, manufacturing, mining and oil industries. Industrial paramedics are the principal providers of emergency care at these sites, and like ambulance paramedics they are trained to provide advanced life support techniques.

Ambulance paramedics may do shift work or be rostered on day duty only.

Employment opportunities for ambulance paramedics in WA are limited by the size of the occupation, says a St John Ambulance spokesperson.

''It is very competitive. We usually only offer between 20-30 places every year, and we receive over 300 applicants. There is very low turnover in this occupation and therefore only a limited number of places to fill. Promotional opportunities for ambulance paramedics are also limited.''



While some employment forecasts suggest that employment prospects are good, it should be remembered that for ambulance paramedics, and particularly industrial paramedics, it is a very small-sized occupation.

Student ambulance officers earn approximately $32,000 while fully qualified ambulance paramedics earn around $58,000 per year. For more specific salaries, you can contact an employer of ambulance officers or check out the Australian Government Workplace Authority website below.

To become an ambulance paramedic you must complete the St John Ambulance Bachelor of Science (Paramedical Science) through Edith Cowan University (Joondalup campus). To be accepted into the course you must have successfully completed Year 12 and must hold a current Senior First Aid Certificate and driver's licence.

Student Ambulance Officers then undertake 12 weeks' full-time training, before going out on the road with qualified ambulance paramedics who act as on-road tutors. During their first and second years, ambulance officers also undertake case studies and assignments, before returning to the training school for advanced studies in their third year. After third year, they must complete a one-year internship to qualify as an ambulance paramedic.

Alternatively, you can complete the Certificate IV in Basic Emergency Care course through Medic One Pty Ltd. You may then progress to the Diploma of Paramedical Science (Ambulance) and Advanced Diploma of Paramedical Science (Ambulance).

People interested in working as industrial paramedics must complete a nationally accredited 10-day Industrial Paramedic Course. St John Ambulance offers a 6-day Emergency Response and 4-day Industrial Paramedic course (these must be done in conjunction with one another) and may assist you to find employment as an industrial paramedic.

	Medic One Pty Ltd
	PO Box 455 Cannington WA 6987 Ph: (08) 9350 9111 Fax: (08) 9350 9115 URL: http://www.medicone.com.au
	St John Ambulance (WA)
	PO Box 183 Belmont WA 6984 Ph: (08) 9334 1222 Fax: (08) 9277 6662 Email: stjohn@ambulance.net.au URL: http://www.ambulance.net.au

AAA Nurses Agency
311 Wellington Street Perth WA 6000 or 1300 881 123 Email: info@aaanursesagency.com.au URL: http://www.aaanursesagency.com.au

GetAccess Links Disclaimer

All links to other sites from this service have been pre-screened and assessed for appropriate content. However, GetAccess cannot guarantee that quality content standards will be maintained at other sites. Please notify GetAccess immediately if any sites display inappropriate content.

Early on in ambulance paramedic Emily's career, sweaty palms and a rapid heart beat were common symptoms. For her patients and herself!

Who could blame her? Administering emergency care to a pedestrian who has been hit by a car, or to someone who is experiencing severe chest pain, is a serious business.

''At first, I would get the sweaty palms, and my mind would start racing with thoughts of what to do. But over time, and with experience, that doesn't happen as much. I'm able to assess things much more calmly.''

So what goes through Emily's mind after she receives that critical call?

''It depends on the job. If the call-out message reads: 'pedestrian versus car', I don't automatically think the worst. However, if the accident has occurred on Reid Highway, the increased speed limit means it could be more serious. Instead of dwelling on what I might see once I get there, or panicking about factors like traffic, I try to prepare myself mentally.''

Depending on the roster, Emily will either drive the ambulance or attend to patients once she's at the scene.

''Driving the ambulance can be a bit unpredictable due to other road users, but we all undertake an intensive drivers' training course where we learn how to handle and manoeuvre the vehicle.

'If it is a priority one call out, we are allowed to drive on the wrong side of the road, slightly faster than the rest of the traffic. We are trying to gain headway rather than simply driving at excessive speeds.''

Emily always knew that she wanted to work in an occupation that combined helping people and applying first aid skills. Like many others, she started out in another field before realising her true vocation.

''I started out doing a degree in medical lab science, but deferred after the first year. It just wasn't what I wanted to do.''

A friend of Emily's was working as an ambulance paramedic and, after chatting about the job, Emily knew that it was the career for her. She hasn't looked back.

''There are some really rewarding moments, such as being present at the birth of a baby. I've attended two births. At one, we arrived shortly after the baby was born, so our role was to cut the umbilical cord and monitor the baby and mother's condition.

''It's also great seeing a positive turnaround in someone's condition, whether it be stabilising someone with a heart condition, or someone who wasn't doing too well when you first arrived.''

Few occupations could be more rewarding.