Edwina Gallagher, Ambulance Paramedic
Works in a team to provide medical care to all types of patients. ‘I became a paramedic to help people, and I can certainly do that in my job. I really enjoy being out on the road, rather than stuck behind a desk in an office. No two days are ever the same.’
Qualified paramedics are responsible for the initial attendance at medical emergencies and accidents and are required to assess, treat and stabilise patients, first at the scene and then continuously on the way to hospital.
They have skills such as resuscitation and defibrillation for use when people have suffered a cardiac arrest, spinal immobilisation for patients with serious head and neck injuries, and may also be trained in advanced life support skills such as intravenous cannulation and administering pain relief medication.
All qualified paramedics can also:
It is important to note that as a paramedic, not every case is a matter of lights and sirens or heroically saving a life. For many people, ambulance paramedics are a first point of call when something goes wrong and, as such, they must have problem solving skills and the ability to make a difference to those in need.
Paramedics often face chaotic scenarios with multiple patients and many upset people. It is important they stay calm, analyse the situation and bring some control into the situation.
As a qualified paramedic, there are a variety of career paths within Ambulance Victoria that can be pursued. These include training graduate paramedics as a Clinical Instructor, working on the bicycle response unit, an air ambulance flight paramedic or a team manager/station officer.