- Published:
- Monday 23 February 2026 at 12:40 pm
Ambulance Victoria (AV) is boosting its Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) workforce to provide more specialist care for the state’s sickest and most critically ill patients.
On 16 February 2026, 24 paramedics – known as MICA Interns – started AV’s MICA Bridging Program, preparing them to hit the road next month.
From 30 March 2026, these MICA Interns will start on-road across Victoria and continue their specialised and advanced intensive care training alongside qualified MICA paramedics.
AV Chief Executive Officer Jordan Emery said it takes about 10 years of dedicated study and experience to become a MICA paramedic.
“This is a significant and exciting new chapter for these MICA Interns who have chosen to take this next step in their career with AV,” Mr Emery said.
“Their professionalism, expertise and commitment will make an enormous contribution to the delivery of the very best care for Victorians facing the most critical life-threatening emergencies.
“Our latest cohort of 24 MICA interns will help AV continue to meet the growing medical emergency response needs of Victoria – and are on top of 44 MICA Interns who hit the road last year.”
MICA paramedics can perform advanced medical procedures such as advanced airway management including intubation, manage complex trauma injuries, administer intra-osseous (into bone) medications, treat life-threatening respiratory conditions and provide advanced management of cardiac conditions.
Their training includes a more detailed understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology to greatly increase the capacity to make complex clinical decisions and provide exceptional clinical leadership, in the pre-hospital environment.
The latest cohort of MICA Interns will undertake their on-road clinical placements at the following branches:
- 18 will be placed at Metropolitan MICA branches including Ringwood (3), Hampton Park (2), Ravenhall (4), Tarneit (2), Rosebud (2), Campbellfield (3) and Bundoora (2).
- 6 will be placed at Regional Branches including Morwell (2), Warrnambool, Ballarat (2) and Wodonga.
Paramedics Lucy Cussen and Andy Scott are among the latest cohort of MICA Interns.
Lucy has been with AV for almost eight years, after transitioning from a nursing career to paramedicine. She worked as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic, clinical instructor and specialist paramedic educator in Metropolitan Melbourne, before deciding she was ready for her next challenge.
“Becoming a MICA paramedic always interested me and I reached the point where I was ready for the next step in my personal development,” she said.
“I wanted to expand my skillset and the level of care that I can provide to the most unwell patients that we encounter.
“On top of that, I’ve had mentors who are MICA paramedics who have provided me with leadership and support over the years. It would be rewarding to do that myself for junior paramedics one day.”
Andy joined AV as an Ambulance Community Officer in Rosedale in 2019, before landing a graduate paramedic position in Traralgon, where he has worked for almost six years as an ALS paramedic and clinical instructor.
He said he has loved every minute of his career and is driven by a passion for building his knowledge.
“I’m definitely the kind of person that always wants to know the ‘why’ behind our clinical decisions. That’s sparked my strong clinical interest,” he said.
“I’m also someone who values leadership, supportive teamwork and clear communication, especially when things are busy or complex, to ensure we give our patients the best possible care.”
Having completed their university studies, both Lucy and Andy said they are excited to have begun the MICA Bridging Program and preparing to hit the road.
“The study has been full on but I’ve felt supported by all my different connections – family, friends and at AV. I’m ready to take the next step,” Andy said.
The six-week MICA Bridging Program translates tertiary education into practice and covers a range of clinical areas including respiratory, cardiac, trauma, medical, paediatric and obstetrics.
After 18-months of on-road operational clinical training, the MICA Interns will graduate as fully qualified MICA paramedics.
“Our paramedics will receive world-class training from AV paramedic educators and some of the country’s top medical professionals,” Mr Emery said.
“We congratulate this cohort on their achievements to date and wish them all the best for this next stage in their AV career.”
Enrolment into the AV MICA Bridging Program occurs after successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Specialist Critical Care Paramedicine at Monash University or an equivalent qualification.
Updated