Paramedic Ambulance Officer
As paramedic ambulance officer you give emergency care to those in need. You will respond to all types of emergency calls – it is not a job for the faint hearted.
What the job looks like
Salary expectation
starts at $41,108 up to $94,433+
The good
- No two days are the same
- The adrenaline rush
- Sense of satisfaction and achievement
- Helping people
The not so good
- Dealing with confronting situations
- Long and unusual hours can be exhausting
You will never know what your day will deliver as a paramedic. The work will often be adrenalin pumping and highly satisfying, especially when you make a positive impact. Your hours will be unusual and the work can be physically and mentally demanding.
As a paramedic you must be empathetic, professional, non-judgmental, an effective and adaptable communicator, and able to offer the same care to everybody.
Patients can be confused, elderly, hard of hearing, from a non-English speaking background, drunk or psychotic, so working out how to approach the situation quickly is crucial. You need to be able to work under pressure and not faint at the sight of blood.
Good mathematic skills will help you to calculate or convert administration of drugs or fluids quickly and correctly under pressure so it is important you have those skills.
Your role as a paramedic ambulance officer may range from attending emergencies like heart attacks or drug overdoses, to providing assistance at major events like the City to Surf or music festivals.
If you enjoy helping people, are empathetic and can work under pressure, then a career as a paramedic ambulance officer could be for you.
It's fantastic to be the decision maker, you have no idea what you will be faced with when you walk into work.
Pathways to this career
Subject suggestions for the HSC
Choosing your HSC subjects from this list could really help with your career. Think carefully about what you want to study after school as you might need to choose specific HSC subjects for that course and to count towards your ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). An ATAR is your academic rank in relation to other HSC students and helps with University admission.
HSC subjects
Some subjects will count towards your ATAR, others will not. Check with your career advisor before making subject selections.
- English (Standard or higher)
- Mathematics (2 unit or higher)
- Biology
- Chemistry
- PDHPE
What can I do after I have finished school?
University degrees
Studying one of these degrees can help with your career.
- Bachelor of Health Clinical Practice (Paramedic) or equivalent
- Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Paramedicine or equivalent
Suggestions
Check out your state ambulance service’s website to find out when they are recruiting
- Watch some reality television shows to get an idea of some of the situations paramedic ambulance officers deal with
- Join your local St John Ambulance crew and volunteer to work at local events to get a feel for the job
- Go to career expos and events like university Open Days for information about what you will study
