Ambulance Victoria are after more help with openings to join the service as an ambulance community officer in Halls Gap.
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West Wimmera acting paramedic community support coordinator Tristan Terry said ambulance community officers provided a vital service.
"Our first responders are dispatched at the same time as an ambulance but, due to their location, often arrive before paramedics do," he said.
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"Being first on scene, they perform an initial patient assessment and provide early lifesaving care, such as CPR, before handing over."
Mr Terry said he was extremely grateful to those who have given up their time over the past 16 years to support the community.
First responders work across more than 100 locations in rural and remote Victoria, attending a variety of emergency situations, including traffic accidents, respiratory and cardiac arrest cases.
Applicant checklist:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Teamwork and collaboration skills
- A high level of safety awareness and compliance
- A willingness to undertake training to the level of ACO or CERT
- A willingness to undertake required vaccinations as per Ambulance Victoria's requirements
- Successful completion of Police and Driver's Licence checks along with other relevant tests
Mr Terry said a medical background was not required, with extensive training provided.
Ambulance Victoria ACO Braeden Hyland, who is also trained as a wilderness response paramedic, joined Ambulance Victoria as a part of their Community Emergency Response Teams in 2015.
He transitioned into an ACO in 2018 and said he said he liked to use his skills to help people.
"On a daily basis we respond to call outs in the Halls Gap area and sometimes we go further afield," he said.
"I have always used my skills to help people and I have always wanted to use those skills to provide care and support and around here it is required around here.
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"There are multiple reasons why someone can join, out here we could be waiting an hour for medical services so it is providing a critical care.
"We also get qualifications out of the role, so for that side of things it is great and people can use it as a laneway to become a full-time paramedic."
Applicants must be aged over 18 and available for a minimum of 20 hours per month in the role.
Anyone who is interested should contact Tristan Terry on 0429 552 312 or email westwimmera.pcsc@ambulance.vic.gov.au.
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