After working as a paramedic in three different states, Bec Lyons is thrilled to now call Cobram home, having recently joined the local crew on road.
Placed at the Cobram branch through the Qualified Ambulance Paramedic (QAP) Bridging Program, Bec brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience from a range of healthcare settings across the country.
After school, Bec studied nursing and got her start working at The Northern Hospital, but she always knew the pre-hospital environment was where she wanted to be.
Driven by her desire to be out interacting with the community, she undertook a conversion course and simultaneously joined AV as an Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) in Nagambie.
"Being an ACO before moving interstate was incredibly valuable," she said.
"So much of the information came flooding back to me when I started at Cobram and it made the transition much easier as each state does things slightly differently.
"It meant I also saw familiar faces while out on road, which increased how supported I felt."
Once qualified, Bec travelled to Western Australia in 2021 where she worked as a mine site paramedic in the Pilbara and a community paramedic in the Kimberley.
In 2023, Bec returned to the east coast for a graduate paramedic role in Queensland, where she stayed until she got the call she had received a position at AV.
"I really enjoyed travelling around the country and having that nomadic lifestyle for awhile. It was a great way to expand my knowledge, work with different cultures and communities, and refine my skills," Bec said.
"But when I was accepted into Ambulance Victoria, I was so excited to return home and be able to settle down.
"I'm really enjoying being back in the state, the morale at AV is great and it's comforting to be close to family again.
"Working at AV was always my goal and I'm so glad I've achieved it."
Months into working at AV, Bec said she's still learning a lot and hopes to continue building her confidence each day.
For anyone passionate about helping others and considering working in healthcare, her advice is "don't give up".
"I encourage anyone wanting to work in paramedicine to find the pathway that works for them and stick with it," she said.
"How I've come to work at AV is different to other people, but we're all here and we're all just as passionate about helping our community when they need it most."
