More than 100 UK paramedics to be interviewed for Qld ambulance posts

The Queensland Ambulance Service is conducting interviews with more than 100 paramedics in the United Kingdom over the next three weeks as part of efforts to appoint additional ambulance officers across the State.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) was budgeted to employ an additional 250 ambulance officers this financial year.

“As part of the work to employ additional officers, the QAS has initiated the ‘Sea-Change’ international recruitment program to attract qualified paramedics from overseas to Queensland,” Mr Roberts said.

“This international recruitment program is coupled with efforts to attract paramedics from interstate and training student paramedics.”

“To undertake the interviews of prospective candidates, three QAS officials and a recruitment consultant have travelled to the UK and they will conduct interviews over a three-week period.”

To date, 59 qualified paramedics from the United Kingdom have started with QAS as a result of the Sea-Change initiative.

In 2006-07, $41,065 was spent for travel by QAS officials to the United Kingdom to recruit paramedics.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3247 8194