Recorded call:
"Ambulance? What is the town or suburb of your emergency?"
EMD Ethan: EMD is not just a job. It is a career.
Recorded call:
"Paramedics are on the way. We're just going to do a quick test..."
EMD Ethan: I really do like the idea of community health, and I like the idea of helping people.
And this job really allows you to do that as a career.
EMD Elaina: I always knew that I wanted to help people, but I didn't really know what pathway that was. As soon as I stepped forward, I just knew that this probably will be where I will be forever.
A good shift in the operation center definitely starts with the team. You see these people more than you see your friends and family at some times, so they become your friends and family.
EMD Bel: So, support-wise, QAS I think we're the leader really in emergency services, with the type of support that we've got.
Recorded call: "Tell me exactly what's happened."
EMD Elaina: You have seven weeks at the training center here in Woolloongabba. You then come into the OpsCen and have 16 mentored shifts with a call taking mentor so you know, not on your own then.
So you are fully supported all of the time and you get all of the training for the certificate three and four in ambulance.
So you don't need any pre existing certificates, you just need to have the right attitude.
EMD Ethan: there are certain traits you need to possess, most of which stem from the idea of just being kind, caring and empathetic, as well as you're dealing with a broad spectrum of people. So, you know, proper communication skills, patience.
EMD Bel: You know, you get to talk to people on the worst day of their life, and it is such a privilege. So you need to be genuinely passionate about helping those people.
The shifts are 12 hours or 10 hour shifts.
Being able to type quite quickly will be a lifesaver for you, active listening, care, attention to detail...
EMD Elaina: We have a specific script that helps us give the best information in the best instructions possible.
EMD Ethan: Its a consistent workload being part of 000. So it doesn't really stop. And then at the end of it, you feel quite rewarded. Having done your 12 hours,
It's one of those jobs that once you walk out the door, you generally can, you know, take a weight off your shoulders.
EMD Bel: Surprisingly enough, I actually get to spend more time with my family than I did when I worked a 9 to 5 job.
In terms of career opportunities, there's so many avenues you can move into:
EMD Ethan:
- Retrieval Services Queensland, our aeromedical services,
- Become a mentor
- Become a peer support officers. And you've got the ability to teach others and provide that leadership almost.
- There's supervising opportunities.
- And then you can span that as well to all the different technical services that are behind the scenes. Frontline services group to our I.T. and computer-based services.
So there's a lot of different routes you can go beyond just an EMD.
EMD Elaina: This job is so unique. There is nothing else like it. There is no adrenaline rush like this job.
Recorded call: "Ok so it's your daughter and she's had a seizure?
Is she a diabetic? And are you with her at the moment?"
EMD Ethan: I love being an EMD.
The job is very rewarding in what we do. But part of that reward comes from the fact that a lot of the things we deal with are confronting.
People aren't calling because they're having a great day, they're calling because they're in crisis.
You need to be prepared, having to face what are quite emotional, quite heightened and quite elevated situations.
EMD Bel: And if you want to help people and have a desire not just care for your patients, but also for the team around you, that's the driver.
EMD Elaina: You can be there for someone's the best day of their life or give instructions to them on the worst day of their life. And to be a part of someone's life in that way is such a privilege. And I have such a passion for it, and so does everyone one else in that room. And that's why we keep coming back.
