Carpenter-turned-paramedic takes first steps in new career

Former carpenter Sam Matafonov has no regrets over hanging up his tools after embarking on his new career as a graduate paramedic at Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) Ballan branch.

While studying, Sam gained on-road experience as an AV Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) and in non-emergency patient transport with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), which helped him land on his feet in his new role.

“It's definitely been a little bit of a step up but the team at Ballan have been super supportive and now that I’m settled in, I'm really enjoying the further care and interventions I can offer my patients,” he said.

“This is the best work that I’ve done. When I began working with ambulances with the RFDS and as an ACO, I thought this is the best job ever. Now, I go to work and feel the same way.”

Sam completed a carpentry apprenticeship with his father after finishing high school. At the time, healthcare hadn’t crossed his mind as a career path, but a personal experience with frontline workers brought it to the fore.

Tragically, just as Sam became a qualified carpenter, his father was diagnosed with stage four cancer.

“Over the course of 12 months or so, he had a pretty sharp decline and by the end of that year, he had passed away,” Sam said.

“It was extremely challenging at the time but one thing that really stuck with me was witnessing first-hand the impact the nurses, doctors and healthcare workers had on him.

“The interactions with them left an impression on me and as I moved through the grieving process, I realised healthcare was the next step for me.”

Sam set his sights on paramedicine, drawn to the dynamic nature of the work.

As he progressed through paramedicine studies and began working with the RFDS and as an ACO in Cobden, Sam knew he’d made the right decision.

“I was introduced to an incredible cohort of colleagues and educators that set high standards for care and showed me the difference I could make to others through my own practice,” Sam said.

“Their guidance was motivating and I learnt what a privilege it is being able to step into people’s lives and be there for them.”

Sam hit the road as a graduate paramedic in October and already is looking ahead to the future, inspired by the paramedics around him.

“I really look up to our Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedics for their leadership, knowledge and support on cases and think this would be an extremely rewarding path to follow one day,” he said.

“Overall, I’m excited to continue providing a high standard of care to the community, while also improving my skills.”

Learn more about becoming a paramedic at Ambulance Victoria.