NSW Ambulance has welcomed 120 new paramedic interns, 4 paramedic inductees and 26 emergency medical call takers after they were officially inducted into the service at a ceremony last Friday.
The paramedic interns will be posted across NSW to complete the on-road portion of their 12-month internships, while the inductees who previously worked as paramedics interstate or overseas will complete a nine-week on-road induction. The new emergency medical call takers will all be posted to Sydney & Western Control Centres.
This latest cohort provides a further boost to frontline health services across the state, bringing a range of experiences and backgrounds to NSW Ambulance.
The cohort includes paramedic intern Lea-Ann Southern who has had a career change after more than three decades running a hairdressing business, and trainee emergency medical call taker Jacob Feneley who was inspired to follow his new career after calling Triple Zero (000) to help his mum when he was just nine years old.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"These graduating paramedics and emergency medical call takers represent the future of emergency healthcare and will make a vital contribution to their communities.
"The new recruits will provide a critical boost to frontline health services across the state, helping people when they need it most.
"The Minns Labor Government is recruiting more paramedics and investing in a stronger workforce by delivering higher wages and better conditions."
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Clare Beech:
"These new recruits have all demonstrated exceptional commitment throughout their training and are well prepared to deliver high-quality patient care.
"I am proud to welcome these new paramedic interns and emergency medical call takers - this is the beginning of a journey for them to learn, grow and be an invaluable part of their communities.
"Every one of these graduates should be proud of their achievements and excited for their careers ahead."
Quotes attributable to paramedic intern Lea-Ann Southern:
"I supported people suffering hair loss from chemotherapy and found making this difference was incredibly rewarding.
"Making the transition to paramedicine was a huge decision for me but I am excited to embark on this new path."
Quotes attributable to trainee emergency medical call taker Jacob Feneley:
"My mum was in trouble - I wanted to freeze and start crying. We knew that we needed an adult - Ben was that adult. He was so calm over the phone, he gave such clear instructions and made us feel everything was going to be OK."
"There was a period where I felt as if it really takes a special person, and maybe I am not that type of person. But after a lot of self-reflection, I decided to give it a go. I really do want to help people, the way Ben helped us that day."
