NSW Ambulance has welcomed 119 new paramedic interns and 29 emergency medical call takers, after they were officially inducted into the service at a ceremony at the State Operations Centre in Sydney last week.
This influx of new recruits will further boost frontline health services across the state, with many already commencing their first shifts.
The new recruits come from a range of backgrounds and experiences, including paramedic intern Alexandria Richens, a former NSW Ambulance call taker and dispatcher, who is now transitioning to paramedicine.
Another recruit is trainee emergency medical call taker Edrea Carr who was inspired to join the service by her father and brother, who are both paramedics with NSW Ambulance.
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 all be posted to Sydney & Western Control Centres.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
“The Minns Labor Government is recruiting more frontline staff and rebuilding the essential services the people of NSW rely on.
“This new intake of paramedic interns and emergency medical call takers will help boost our front-line workforce, ensuring people can continue to access emergency care when they need it most.
“I want to congratulate these paramedics and control staff, and thank them for their dedication. Welcome to the team.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Claire Beech:
“This is a proud milestone for these new recruits and for NSW Ambulance as a whole, and the uniform they wear represents trust, dedication and resilience.
“Paramedicine and control coordination demands precision, critical thinking and clinical excellence. Stay sharp, stay committed and always put patient care first.
“Welcoming new staff into the service is both a privilege and a reminder of the enduring commitment required, serving the community in times of need.”
Quotes attributable to paramedic intern Alexandria Richens:
“I had always wanted to be a paramedic since I was a kid; and in my role as a skate park manager, I would help any children or their families in case of incidents, as well as assist the paramedics.
“I decided initially to become a call taker and dispatcher, not just as a first step into healthcare and to improve my communication skills, but as an introduction to paramedicine.
“I hope to eventually progress into special operations and intensive care, but for now I am excited to get started on my new career.”
Quotes attributable to trainee emergency medical call taker Edrea Carr:
“My father has been a paramedic for the past 17 years, and hearing his stories about helping people in their most vulnerable moments really stayed with me and inspired me to join the service.
“Those stories gave me a strong appreciation for the impact you can have simply by being there for someone, especially the power of listening and guiding people through difficult situations.
“There is something incredibly powerful about being the first responder to an emergency and being the voice of support – that’s what drew me to call taking.”
