NSW Ambulance has today welcomed 13 new paramedic inductees, who previously worked as paramedics interstate or overseas.
These qualified and experienced paramedics have just completed a comprehensive three-week induction program at the NSW Ambulance Education Centre and begin their on-road training from tomorrow, providing a further boost to frontline health services across NSW.
These new recruits come from a variety of locations, such as Eleni Berdoukas who previously worked as a paramedic in New Zealand and is now beginning a new chapter with NSW Ambulance.
Several of the paramedics are also joining NSW Ambulance from other states - such as Benjamin Hayes, who has spent five years as a paramedic in Western Australia before deciding to move across the country to share his skills.
This latest class of paramedic inductees will be posted across metropolitan and regional locations in NSW for nine weeks, prior to becoming registered paramedics with NSW Ambulance.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"Our dedicated paramedics are the frontline of our health system, I'd like to congratulate this latest intake joining NSW Ambulance from both interstate and abroad.
"These qualified paramedics bring with them a range of skills and years of experience, which serve to strengthen our frontline services across the state."
"The Minns Labor Government is committed to rebuilding a strengthened health workforce, because we know that supported and empowered staff means better health outcomes for our community."
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:
"We are delighted to welcome these new paramedics, who will join our team of highly skilled and dedicated clinicians who provide outstanding care to patients across NSW every day.
"We continue to attract qualified and experienced paramedics to NSW Ambulance from near and far, and our communities will benefit greatly from their diverse clinical backgrounds and their passion for their jobs."
Quotes attributable to paramedic Eleni Berdoukas:
"I'm originally from Sydney but have worked as a paramedic in Cairns for a year and then three years in Wellington, so it's exciting to be coming home to NSW to live and work.
"I just love that as a paramedic every day is a little bit different, there's always something unexpected, you never know what you're going to be faced with."
Quotes attributable to paramedic Benjamin Hayes:
"I was previously a health and physical education teacher and I've found there's more similarities between my two careers than you'd think.
"I've always enjoyed assisting people, and being able to take advantage of learning opportunities, and having that camaraderie with colleagues. I'm keen to get back on the road."
