Staff profile - Josh Collins

NSW Ambulance paramedic Josh Collins, is familiar with working under pressure, but like all of us, he has had to adapt to the challenges of COVID-19.

In non-pandemic times, what is your role in NSW Health and what does it involve?

I am a NSW Ambulance (NSWA) paramedic situated at Bankstown Superstation in the South West. In my role as a paramedic, I work to provide out of-hospital medical care to patients. Broadly speaking, this involves a clinical assessment, disposition and if necessary, treatment of patient/s in an out of hospital environment.

What are you doing now as part of the COVID-19 response?

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, much has changed in the way of the Ambulance service and how we carry out our roles and responsibilities. Most notably are the changes to our procedures and response to mitigating the risks associated with COVID-19. For example, as health professionals, we are now required to wear appropriate PPE masks whenever we are within 1.5m of patients as well as the way we perform certain protocols and procedures involving the respiratory system have changed so we not only protect ourselves at work, but patients and the community too.

There has also been a focus and shift to how we clean and decontaminate our vehicles and equipment for much the same reasons. These changes and more, have helped to alleviate and prevent the spread of COVID-19 within NSW and abroad, with the principle to ensure both consumers and stakeholders are protected and remain safe.

Have you been involved in anything like this before?

I know myself and many others who have been in this role for longer would agree, this pandemic is something very new and prodigious to NSWA, and likely to NSW Health overall.

What's your biggest learning to date?

My biggest learning to date regarding working as a NSWA paramedic in times of the pandemic, would be the reality of the spread of diseases and practising good hygiene/infection practices - both in a work and social setting.

Although infection control and hygiene has been a staple in healthcare around the globe for decades, this pandemic has really shined a light on how imperative it is to remain sterile and practise good hygiene. This is especially true not just in a clinical setting, but a social one too. The spread of disease can run rampant in a society and community, which can well become a large source for widespread diseases.

You have good insights into what's happening with the pandemic. What do you tell family and friends when they ask?

My insights into the pandemic are much the same as those that NSW Health distribute, which is that this pandemic is an issue that is widespread and ever-changing. Thus, the appropriate and necessary precautions in place need to be taken seriously so as to not only protect yourselves and your family, but ultimately the overarching community.

What's your message to colleagues across the system?

My message to colleagues across the system is to look out for each other always, but look out for yourselves too; we are all human. We can all have those days where we need some time for ourselves and loved ones. Be sure to always be an advocate for the safety and health of yourself, your family and your colleagues, because if we aren't right, then how can we expect to make others feel, or be able to give our best patient centred care to individuals and their families.

What challenges have you faced either at work or at home and how have you overcome them?

The challenges I have faced as a paramedic regarding COVID-19, are much the same as everyone else during these anomalous times. However, if there was one challenge it would be ensuring I remain clean and uncontaminated when finishing my shift and arriving back home. As such, I now dedicate extra time post-shift to clean and decontaminate myself, equipment and personal belongings so as to remain as clean as possible and reduce the risk of cross-contaminating other belongings and my home. Many paramedics including myself also have either continued, or have started, removing our clothes and shoes before entering our personal homes and living quarters, or even showering prior to leaving the ambulance station.

How do you unwind if you get a spare moment?

At work during down time, I will usually take the time to message loved ones, eat, or just generally take a moment to relax. If I manage to get some down time back at the station, I will usually catch up on emails, work related errands or study. However, due to being in one of the busiest NSWA sectors in the state, having downtime at the station is something that does not happen very often.