This week fifteen highly qualified intensive care paramedics (ICPs) have been deployed across NSW, following the completion of 27-weeks of specialist training to extend their clinical skills.
The training includes eight weeks of in-class training at NSW Ambulance's State Operations Centre, a five-week hospital placement, and 14 weeks of on-the-road experience under supervision.
The specialist paramedics will now complete up to two years consolidating their skills working in dedicated intensive care paramedic units.
Intensive care paramedics are specialised emergency medical professionals who are highly trained to perform advanced clinical procedures and require high levels of clinical exposure and a strong professional community of practice.
These specialist skills include advanced airway management, such as endotracheal intubation, and treatment of life-threatening chest injuries. They also handle complex cases like severe head injuries and cardiac conditions with more advanced interventions.
The 15 new ICPs come from across the state, including locations such as Bega, Cowra and metropolitan Sydney and will be posted to Port Macquarie, Taree, Rutherford, Orange and metropolitan Sydney stations.
Sophie Busin, a paramedic with NSW Ambulance since 2020, decided to upskill as an ICP to further challenge herself.
She completed her ICP training last week and is looking forward to using her extended skill set on complex medical and trauma cases.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"NSW communities will benefit from having more specialist intensive care paramedics on the road, who can provide additional complex medical procedures.
"As Minister for Regional Health, I am very pleased to see that many of these new specialists not only come from the bush but will be returning to regional NSW where they are most needed.
"NSW is fortunate to have such highly trained intensive care paramedics joining our frontline emergency teams."
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:
"With skill and dedication, these new intensive care paramedics stand amongst the best in emergency care.
"Expertly trained, highly committed and skilled, our newest intensive care paramedics are dedicated to saving lives."
Quotes attributable to Intensive Care Paramedic Sophie Busin:
"Becoming an ICP is something I've always aspired to do ever since I was at university, and the training has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career so far.
"This is only the beginning of my journey as an ICP and I'm excited to learn and grow in the role, using the specialised skills I now have, and supporting my colleagues during challenging cases."
