New paramedics to come from interstate

Just found out that Australian Catholic University is introducing a bachelor’s degree course in paramedics (apparently combined with nursing) at its campus in Canberra, from 2012, I believe. This makes the ACU course the first university-level course for paramedics in the ACT. (I am still not sure if it can be done as stand-alone course, or if it must be completed as a double-degree with nursing.)

I think they advertised positions about 3 months ago throught he non-graduate path.

It seems to me that the Northern Territory is the only other jurisdiction that doesn’t have, as an option, university-based training for paramedics. And it seems that the state ambulance services, including St John Ambulance Service in Western Australia (the only “non-state” state ambulance service), are relying more and more on the universities to provide them with paramedics.

Given that studying paramedics at university is not currently an option in the ACT, it seems a little odd that the ACT Ambulance Service seeks to recruit at all from interstate universities, rather than training all new paramedics themselves. I am not aware of either the AFP or the ACT Fire Brigade relying on interstate police or fire services to source their recruits.

Is this just a matter of the ACT Government, and the ACT Ambulance Service, saving money on training ACT residents? Why doesn’t the university sector in the ACT get into paramedic courses, as their interstate counterparts have?

thehutch said :

knuckles said :

ACT Ambulance does it’s own training, including training people with no prior experience to Intensive Care Paramedic level. Takes 4 years.

Its all explained here http://www.esa.act.gov.au/ESAWebsite/content_actas/about_us_pages/careers_in_actas/act_ambulance_service_career_pathways_to_intensive_care_paramedic__april_2011_.pdf

Ahhh, maybe read the post again!

The OP asks “Why is it that the ACT is able to educate and train its own police officers, and fire and rescue officers, indeed even its own nurses, doctors and other health professionals, but does not have the capacity to do the same for its own paramedics? “

The answer is the ACT does train its own paramedics through the ESA traing program. These people end up with an advanced diploma in paramedical science. They also recruit from interstate the same as other agencies.

What part dont you understand?

knuckles said :

ACT Ambulance does it’s own training, including training people with no prior experience to Intensive Care Paramedic level. Takes 4 years.

Its all explained here http://www.esa.act.gov.au/ESAWebsite/content_actas/about_us_pages/careers_in_actas/act_ambulance_service_career_pathways_to_intensive_care_paramedic__april_2011_.pdf

Ahhh, maybe read the post again!

ACT Ambulance does it’s own training, including training people with no prior experience to Intensive Care Paramedic level. Takes 4 years.

Its all explained here http://www.esa.act.gov.au/ESAWebsite/content_actas/about_us_pages/careers_in_actas/act_ambulance_service_career_pathways_to_intensive_care_paramedic__april_2011_.pdf