Paramedic Queensland, Permanent Full-time Employment Remembering that a typical shift will be 12 hours, rostered over a variety of day and night shifts. A normal roster for full-time paramedics is a rotating shift system that total 38 hours a week.
Many of our roles are based on a shift roster - but before you turn the page in dismay, our Paramedic and Control Centre shifts, for example, operate on average as four days on, usually followed by four or five days off.
As a paramedic, you'll respond to emergency situations and provide out-of-hospital care to patients with a wide range of conditions or injuries. On any given day, you might do things like: attend accidents and medical emergencies – whether it's a car crash, a heart attack, or a sporting injury (to name just a few)
Most states and ambulance services in Australia have different training processes for paramedics. However, becoming a paramedic in Australia usually takes around three years of full-time study and at least one year of practical on-road experience.
Find out what the average Paramedic salary is
The average paramedic salary in Australia is $93,876 per year or $48.14 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $61,241 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $119,798 per year.
Paramedic salaries start at Band 5, which ranges from £25,655 to £31,534. You'll move up to Band 6 (£32,306 and £39,027) after two years following a newly qualified paramedic pathway.
Challenges of Being a Paramedic
In the course of discharging their duty, paramedics do not only handle patients, but also have to deal with members of the public or relatives of the patient. This can be quite challenging as some of these people may behave in certain unruly manners .
Becoming a Paramedic/Medic/Emergency Medical Technician requires a lot of dedication and studying but above all you need to possess the passion for helping those who need it the most.
To become a registered Paramedic in Australia, working for a State Ambulance service, you need to undertake a Bachelor of Paramedical Science (or equivalent). This degree is 3 years full time at a recognised university.
Paramedics need to be able to think on their feet and make good decisions in a chaotic, crisis environment. Because of their erratic schedules, paramedics often work when they are over-tired and haven't had a break for many hours. Exhausting schedules and managing repeated crisis calls place high stress on paramedics.
There are two study pathways to become a Paramedic
You can start working in the private sector within 12-18 months, or even as you study. You can complete about 90% of your training online. You can use the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Heath Care to apply to study the Bachelor of Paramedic Science degree at ...
Most EMTs and paramedics work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Because EMTs and paramedics must be available to work in emergencies, their schedules may vary to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Some EMTs and paramedics work extended shifts, such as ones lasting 12, 18, or 24 hours.
It was hypothesized that during night shift day, compared to pre-shift, day shift, and days off, paramedics would report lower sleep duration, physical activity, energy expenditure, poorer mood, and higher stress, fatigue, and sleepiness.
What is a typical week? Mr Kohu works a rotating roster known as a "four by five" where paramedics average 38 hours per week over 10 weeks. The shifts are 12 hours long with a typical pattern involving two days, two nights and then five days off.
Exciting news for our students who are searching for a career as a Paramedic. According to the Australian Governments Employment Projections, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry is forecast to make the largest contribution to employment growth over the next five years, increasing by 258,000.
A fulfilling career
You could even specialise in aeromedical paramedics or disaster management – it truly is a diverse career path, all of which are incredibly fulfilling because you get to help people in their hardest moments.
One of the major benefits of being a paramedic is that you get to help people in need. You use your skills and knowledge to save lives in a crisis, which can offer job satisfaction and enhance your community.
Studies have proven paramedics face higher levels of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and fatigue. Without access to tailored mental health care and a continued workplace mental health care plan, paramedics run the risk of stress being the factor in a decision to quit the workforce.
Paramedics regularly have long and extra shifts with unpredictable patterns. For example, you may work a 48-hour shift and then take a 24-hour break. You stay awake for the entire 48-hour period during the shifts because sleeping on duty is often intolerable.
The average career length of someone in EMS is 7-8 years.