NSW Ambulance has welcomed 13 new interstate or overseas paramedic inductees, following a comprehensive three-week induction program at the organisation’s Education Centre.
The qualified and experienced paramedics begin their on-road training from today, providing a further boost to frontline health services across NSW.
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive, Dr Dominic Morgan said the new paramedics will join the organisation’s 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,” he said.
The 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.
“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,” said Ms Berdoukas.
“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.”
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.
“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,” said Mr Hayes.
“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.”
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.
“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,” said NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park.
“These qualified paramedics bring with them a range of skills and years of experience, which serve to strengthen our frontline services across the state.”
