NSW Ambulance has welcomed 13 new paramedic interns and 11 emergency medical call takers today after they were officially inducted into the service at a ceremony at the State Operations Centre in Sydney.
This is the sixth call-taking class and seventh paramedic intern class to join NSW Ambulance this year, who will begin their new roles from tomorrow to further boost frontline health services across the state.
The new recruits joining the service come with a range of backgrounds and experience, including Emergency Medical Call Taker Lee Williams, who is making a career change after many years as a police and correctional services officer.
Paramedic Intern Nicola Willis was inspired to become a paramedic after working in a variety of corporate roles with NSW Ambulance during the last few years.
The paramedic interns will be posted across NSW to complete the on-road portion of their 12-month internships before taking permanent positions in metropolitan and regional areas.
The emergency medical call takers will be posted to Triple Zero (000) Control Centres in Sydney and Warilla (Wollongong).
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our paramedics and emergency medical call takers for reaching this milestone as they start their careers on the frontline of emergency healthcare in NSW and thank them for their dedication to their community.”
"It is with great pride that I welcome you to NSW Ambulance. I have every confidence that you will deliver exceptional care to the people of NSW during their times of greatest need."
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:
“I know all who are graduating today have worked incredibly hard throughout their training. I thank them for their commitment and warmly welcome them into NSW Ambulance.”
“Their dedication to care is highly commendable and I wish them well in their career with NSW Ambulance.”
Quotes attributable to Paramedic Intern, Nicola Willis:
“I walked past the education rooms when I worked in the business side of NSW Ambulance, and I always dreamed that one day I would be a paramedic.
“I am very excited to start on the road with NSW Ambulance – it just feels right.”
Quotes attributable to Emergency Medical Call Taker, Lee Williams:
“It has been a lifelong dream to work for NSW Ambulance and I can't wait to get started.
“It has been a first-class experience throughout my training – I was initially nervous about making a career change, but I feel well prepared now and I know I made the right decision.”