Ambulance Tasmania has welcomed 17 new graduate paramedics who will be deployed across the state after completing a six-week induction program.
The graduates are currently undertaking their training at Cambridge before heading to stations in all regions of Tasmania.
Health Minister Bridget Archer said the new starters would strengthen emergency response capabilities across the state.
“The graduates are undertaking their six-week induction program, which provides hands-on training and mentorship to ensure they are well-prepared and supported to deliver emergency care in the community,” she said.
Eight graduates will be based in the south, six in the north, and three in the north-west.
New Ambulance Tasmania Chief Executive Nicole Ashworth said the organisation was excited to welcome the cohort, most of whom are from Tasmania with some from interstate.
“They’ve spent three years studying hard and undertaking placements, some interstate in some instances as well,” she said.
Ashworth said while there were some logistical challenges as interstate graduates relocated to Tasmania, the service was attracting strong application numbers.
She said attrition rates were “really quite minimal” compared to other states.
Among the graduates is Brooke, who will be stationed in the north-west.
“I’m looking forward to giving back to my local community,” she said.
“I’m very lucky to be stationed or going to a station near home, so I’ll be able to help at least a little bit in my own community.”
Josh, who will work out of Launceston, said he was prepared for the challenges ahead after working as a nurse at the Launceston General Hospital.
“The main challenge is just getting used to that kind of shift work balance and making sure I’m taking care of myself at the same time,” he said.
Joel, who will be based in the south, said a motorcycle accident as a teenager inspired his career choice.
“It was a pretty horrific motorcycle accident and really seeing paramedics arrive on scene and take control and offer that great hospital care sort of made me want to change to paramedicine,” he said.
Minister Archer said recruitment was progressing well on the next tranche of 51 additional full-time paramedics committed.
“Applications closed last month and we look forward to welcoming more new paramedics later this year,” she said.
