Interstate and overseas paramedics among latest to join AV
April 2, 2025in News
Ambulance Victoria (AV) has welcomed new paramedics, graduates and a Patient Transport Officer (PTO) to its ranks.
The group consists of 10 qualified paramedics transitioning to AV from interstate or overseas ambulance services, having successfully met all practice requirements.
They’re completing the Qualified Ambulance Paramedic (QAP) Bridging Program, which includes support such as an induction period and on-road supervised clinical experience to help the paramedics integrate into AV.
Ambulance Victoria has welcomed new paramedics, graduates and a Patient Transport Officer (PTO).
Among the new group are paramedics from New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and New Zealand.
Four new sponsored-degree university graduates have also kicked off their Graduate Ambulance Paramedic (GAP) program, but the quartet aren’t new to AV, each having already worked as an Ambulance Community Officer (ACO).
ACOs are First Responders, employed on a casual basis to work on-call in rural and remote communities.
They are trained to provide advanced first aid and are often the first on scene, before ambulance back up arrives.
The four graduates were supported in making the transition from First Responder to paramedic through AV’s Rural Sponsored Degree Program, which provides a study scholarship and will eventually see the graduates allocated a permanent branch placement in a rural location.
The graduates will first complete AV’s minimum 12-month GAP program, which sees paramedicine university graduates initially work on-road under direct supervision of clinical instructors.
The group of new employees also included a PTO, who is now working in Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) which helps save ambulances for emergencies.
The paramedics, graduates and PTO are based at locations across regional Victoria, at branches including Mooroopna, Cobram, Wendouree, Stawell, Bairnsdale, Paynesville, Timboon and Swan Hill.
“It’s always exciting to welcome new people to AV and we wish this group all the best as they embark on the next phase of their careers,” Interim Chief Executive Officer Andrew Crisp said.
“Many in this group bring with them significant experience and we are pleased to have them as part of AV, contributing to our vision of providing a world-class ambulance service to all Victorians.”