The largest ever intake into Ambulance Victoria’s Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) Bridging Program will hit the road today – delivering more specialised, lifesaving care to Victorians.
Minister for Ambulance Services, Mary-Anne Thomas visited the Ambulance Victoria Capability Hub at Victoria University in Sunshine to meet the 30 interns who will join Victoria’s 586-strong MICA team.
“This next generation of MICA paramedics will make a real difference in supporting faster, more specialised care in some of the most complex emergency cases – bringing advanced clinical care to the community and saving lives,” said Minister Thomas.
“Our MICA paramedics are the best of the best – it’s why we’ll always invest in our paramedics to upskill, so they can keep delivering world-class emergency care to all Victorians.”
The group started their six-week training course in January and will be joined on the road by a further 24 MICA interns later this year.
To be eligible to undertake the bridging program and become a MICA Paramedic, participants must be qualified for at least two years as an Advanced Life Support Paramedic. The six-week course covers clinical responses to respiratory, cardiac, paediatric and obstetrics incidents as well as sessions with specialists on welfare, wellbeing, pharmacy and leadership.
Once theoretical training is complete, the MICA interns begin 18 months of practical on road training which is undertaken across the state.
Fully trained MICA paramedics can work solo or in pairs, managing complex cases with advanced procedures such as airway management, head and chest trauma care, and cardiac emergencies. They can also administer medications into bone and fluids in paediatric patients – providing immediate treatment that can help save lives.
