New student paramedics on-road during Ambulance Week

In conjunction with Ambulance Week festivities, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts has welcomed 47 student paramedics into the service across the state.

Mr Roberts said it is particularly appropriate that the first year student paramedics are hitting the road during a week specially designed to honour their new profession.

“They will perform the role of second officer at their new stations assisting qualified paramedics in assessment and treatment of the patients,” Mr Roberts said.

“Just gaining entry to paramedic training with the QAS is an achievement in itself. A lot of people are attracted to a career with QAS and selection is highly competitive.

“Over the coming months they will experience the full range of tasks that a paramedic can expect to encounter, from delivering babies to major trauma in motor vehicle accidents.”

Mr Roberts said during their training period student paramedics will be taught basic life support skills that include defibrillator and medication administration abilities, under supervision, for conditions such as asthma and chest pain.

“At the end of their 10-month practical session the student paramedics will return to Brisbane for more theory before once again heading back to their home base for further on-the-job experience,” he said.

“When they graduate, the students will be qualified with a Diploma of Paramedical Science (Ambulance) and will return to their regions to begin their role as a fully qualified paramedic.”

Mr Roberts said the group of 47 new student paramedics were part of a State Government commitment to provide an additional 250 new Ambulance officers.

“These new student paramedics will ensure Queenslanders continue to receive a first class ambulance service.”

For information regarding student paramedics in your area, contact QAS Media on 3835 9153

Ministerial contacts: Tim Shipstone 07 3247 8194, 0409 620 571.

Brendan Connell 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976