Ambulance Victoria

24 Agosta Ave, Laverton North, 3028

Contact details: 

1300 366 141

For emergencies: 000

membership@ambulance.vic.gov.au

Business Summary:

Ambulance Victoria provides paramedic and emergency care and transportation services. The Company offers patient transportation and accident assistance with ground based ambulances, and specially equipped helicopters for patients. Ambulance Victoria operates throughout the State of Victoria .The service is funded in two ways; people can pay for an annual membership, which means they will be covered in emergency circumstances, or if a person chooses to not be covered, they will be paying an out-of-pocket lump sum to be treated. 

The organisation employs approximately 5,300 full-time (equivalent) people annually and is based solely in Victoria. Over the last 5 years, there has been an increase in the demand for health and paramedic jobs in Australia. These roles have risen by a rate of 81.6% and are expected to have a further 2.1% growth over the next 5 years. Heading into a paramedic position would ensure long-term job security as there is a high demand for paramedics at present. 

In 2021, the Labor Government granted Ambulance Victoria a $14.8 million funding boost to improve the quality of care that patients receive during COVID, this funding also provides paramedics with equipment that prevents the spread of COVID-19.

Employee entitlements

The agreement that Paramedics follow is called the Ambulance Victoria Enterprise Agreement 2020.

A casual employee will be paid at the ordinary time rate of pay, per hour, for the relevant classification level, plus: 

(a) 25% increase for all work on weekdays; 

(b) 75% increase for all work on Saturdays and Sundays; 

(c) 100% increase for all work on public holidays. . 

The loading recognises that a casual employee is not entitled to: 

(a) annual leave, paid personal or compassionate leave, special leave or parental leave (unless an eligible casual employee); 

(b) accrued days off; 

(c) public holidays; 

(d) travel allowance

A part-time employee is an employee: 

(a) who works less than a full-time allocation of  38 hours per week, or less than an average of 38 hours per week over an agreed Roster Pattern;*

(b) who has a regular pattern of work, specifying the hours and days of the week to be worked; and 

(c) whose daily commencement and finishing times will be specified.

Roster Pattern

A roster pattern determines the amount of shifts someone works in a day, with scheduled shifts coming out every week or 2-weeks. There are a lot of varieties of different patterns such as

4 on 4 off pattern

Starting with the employee agreeing to this method, they will work for a  period of 4 days with 12 hour shifts, then will have 4 days off.

Staggered day shift pattern

Staggered day shift pattern consists of five eight-hour days over the course of a week. Days off are then set differently for members of staff.

Weekend work

A weekend roster pattern assigns a 12-hour shift to an employee over the course of a weekend. Generally, the employee who does this shift does not work during the week.

Night shift

They usually follow a Monday to Friday pattern, with a typical night shift starting at 10 pm and finishing at 6am the next day.

This can be given with dedicated weekend night staff to give the weekday employees time off. 

An employee can be engaged on a fixed-term basis for the purpose of:

 (a) replacement of staff embarking on approved leave; 

(b) meeting fluctuating client and resourcing needs and unexpected increased workloads; 

(c) undertaking a specific, but finite, task; 

(d) filling a vacancy resulting from an employee undertaking a temporary assignment or secondment. 

Special rates for Saturday and Sunday 

All rostered time of ordinary duty worked between midnight on Friday to midnight on Sunday will be paid at the rate of time and one half.

UNIFORM AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING 

All operational employees will be provided with the following by the Employer. These essential items, also referred to as PPE are provided free of charge through the Workplace Agreement:

1 all-weather jacket 

1 belt and buckle  

1 tie  

1 rain suit  

5 pairs of socks (mix of long and short  based on employee's choice)  

6 undershirts (mix of long and short sleeve employee's choice)  

2 pairs of boots/shoes  

1 hold-all bag  

2 knitwear (pullover/vest)  

any additional protective clothing appropriate to the work being performed.

 AND  

1 pair of trousers  

2 additional pairs of pants where employees can elect any combination of trousers, overalls or cargo pants.  

6 dark blue shirts (mix of long and short sleeve see above employee’s choice)

Employee positions and roles

Clinic Transport Officer (CTO) is an employee that has completed  Certificate II in Non-Emergency Client Transport or an equivalent qualification and provides basic treatment, care and transport of pre and post-hospital non-emergency patients in non-stretcher vehicles to and from a range of medical facilities and residences. Entry-level pay: $1,002.95per week.

Patient Transport Officer (PTO) is an employee that has completed the Certificate III in Non-Emergency Client Transport or an equivalent qualification and provides basic transport and care for non-emergency patients in a stretcher and other vehicles, at a level described in accordance with the requirements of the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Regulations Act 2005. Entry-level pay: $1,082 per week

Ambulance Attendant (AA) is an employee that has completed the Diploma of Paramedic Science or an equivalent qualification, and provides management and transport of low-medium acuity patients in stretcher and other vehicles at a level described in the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Regulations 2005. 

Entry level pay: $1,153 per week

Basic Life Support (BLS) Ambulance Paramedic is an employee that has completed an Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) approved paramedicine program of study. The principal duties include assessment, treatment, care and transport of emergency and/or non-emergency patients in a pre-hospital setting. Entry level pay: $1,393 pay per week 

Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) Paramedic is an Ambulance

Paramedic that has successfully completed a Graduate Diploma in Emergency

Health (Intensive Care Paramedic) or an equivalent qualification. The principal

duties within this role include assessment, treatment, care and transport of emergency and/or

non-emergency patients in a pre-hospital setting. MICA Paramedics practice

advanced intensive care paramedic skills in accordance thats Ambulance Victoria approved.

Clinical Practice Guidelines. Entry level pay: $1,625 see pay per week

Team Manager (TM) is a BLS, ALS or MICA Paramedic (as listed above) who has demonstrated a high standard of clinical skill and experience as a practising operational employee. The TM is appointed to manage operational staff and the financial and physical resources at a branch in accordance with AV policies, procedures and clinical guidelines Entry level pay: $2,158 see pay per week

Comparing a first year to a senior year employee

(Ambulance Community Officer)

First year

9+ year

Definition

‘Level 1’ means upon commencement of the first year of employment in the classification

‘Level 9’ means the ninth year of employment in the classification and progression will occur on the first anniversary of the commencement in Level 8. It is the  final year of advancement

Wages per week

$ 1,028.65

$ 1,625.25

What a day looks like

Ambulance paramedics work on a rotating roster. The roster covers seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Rosters are provided at least four weeks in advance to ensure adequate planning time.

• Key accountabilities Develop skills and attributes through training, education and work experience resulting in the ability to undertake the following: 

•  Respond to medical emergencies treating in an appropriate manner, injuries, sudden illness and casualties from a variety of backgrounds, arising from a broad range of incidents.  

• Undertake a thorough clinical assessment of patients to identify illness or injury and plan and initiate appropriate patient management consistent with VIC Ambulance protocols and the Paramedic scope of practice.  

• Manage, administer and/or supply medication and treatment according to relevant legislation, regulations, guidelines, policies and procedures to support the provision of the most effective care and treatment to the patient in an ethical and professional manner. 

•  Consult with the patient to determine how to best meet their needs, providing accurate and comprehensive information in an easy to understand manner to facilitate informed patient decision making.

• Identify broader patient health care issues and make arrangements for assessment by the wider health care team including referring patients to appropriate services in response to identified needs. 

•  Provide effective care during the transport of patients, including retrieval or escorted patients, suffering from illness, injury or disability which may be physical, mental, acute or chronic to facilitate safe arrival at the required destination. 

• Continue patient care and treatment on arrival at the hospital ensuring care is maintained until formal handover is made to the appropriate personnel.  

• Operate ambulance medical equipment and implement medical procedures to provide patient care and treatment in an out of hospital environment consistent with the Paramedic scope of practice.  

• Maintain all equipment and vehicles in a state of readiness to ensure the security, safety and maintenance of allocated equipment and goods and support the effective functioning of the station in accordance with NSW Ambulance standards.  

• Maintain comprehensive and accurate records of all interactions and outcomes, whilst preserving patient confidentiality to ensure that patient history and record of treatment is available for future reference.  

• Engage in self-appraisal including peer, case and performance review, undertake continuous learning and professional development in the maintenance of patient care skills, emergency management, (theoretical and practical) to achieve the ongoing requirements of certification and maintain currency in the evolving evidence based field out of hospital care.  

• Contribute to the development of self and others through clinical supervision, reflective practice and on-the-job teaching in the clinical setting to support the provision of a high standard of patient care in accordance with NSW Ambulance policies and procedures.  

• On successful completion of training, provide mentoring and coaching to Paramedics, Volunteers and Community First Responders undertaking entry level training, development or remedial programs to facilitate the development of skills where directed. Act as a role model and preceptor/mentor to Trainee Paramedics, Paramedic interns and newly Qualified Paramedics to share knowledge and develop skills enhancing overall patient care.  

• Engage in and undertake individual work plans for performance development as required by VIC Ambulance policy.  

• Actively contribute to and support the efficiency of Paramedic service delivery through regular attendance at meetings, completion of operational readiness duties and participation in other activities that encourage team unity

• Perform daily vehicle and equipment checks, making sure that ambulances and medical supplies (including drugs) are accounted for, and that equipment is in good working conditions.

• Attend public gatherings such as large sporting events, where accidents or other health emergencies may occur.

Common OHS concerns

Being a paramedic can be an opportunity to offer life-saving support in often dangerous and fatal situations. 

Paramedics may encounter the following OHS concerns whilst completing their role: :

• Exposure to infectious diseases from patients and needles

• Working with chemicals used in medical procedures such as halothane, nitrous oxide and ethyl chloride.

• Physical tasks that involve awkward postures, repetition and force that can lead to manual handling injuries.

• Exposure to extreme temperatures and conditions examples

• Risk of injury from locations where they are called to such as fires, explosions, unstable structures, traffic, gas leaks, large crowds, violent situations etc.

• Shift work, extended work days resulting in fatigue and distress.

• Physiological stress and trauma from patients who are mentally ill or violent.

Communicating OHS information

communicating OHS information as it is always getting updated regularly, most of the ways are:

•  AV paramedics internal website

•  OHS committee minutes

• Hazard and incident reports

•  Internal and external OHS training programs

• MSDS

• Fire and emergency evacuation information\

•  On workplace notice boards

• Posters displayed around the workplace

• Through meeting such as toolbox talks

•  Emails and safety alerts

•  Newsletters

• Safety signage

• Risk assessments

•  Inductions 

Preventative measures and OHS awareness

• Ambulance Victoria develops many approaches to minimise manual handling risks, as it is the largest contributor to workplace injuries in the profession. This includes the ongoing design and equipment improvements such as a $18 million donation to release powered stretchers into the entire fleet of Victoria's ambulances.

• Paramedics are required to attend a pre-employment physical capacity assessment which allows them to know their limits and capabilities

• The workplace establishes a safety accountability framework that clearly defines roles, Responsibilities and accountabilities to build ownership of safety across the organisation. 

• There are safety leadership training days that are tailored to the ambulance service environment and risks and experiences.

• consistently update our manual handling policies. Mental health and wellbeing is very important two paramedics our strategy to minimise this is based on three key principles

  • Mental health is everybody’s responsibility

  • A person-centred approach to mental health and recovery

  • Individual needs change throughout their employee life cycle.

• AV introduced a program called ‘occupational violence against healthcare workers’. This includes reviewing the effectiveness of our policies and procedures to minimise occupational violence exposure and incidents. 

Qualifications of employment

-          Certificate III in Business

-          Certificate IV in Frontline Management

-          Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

-          Certificate IV in Forensic Science

Operational employees of Ambulance Victoria are required to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Registration through AHPRA dictates that you must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing professional development per year. Additionally, Ambulance Victoria conducts a number of continuing professional development days throughout the year. Due to the nature of health care there are always alterations to existing guidelines, or new guidelines to learn and study. As an employee of Ambulance Victoria you are encouraged to continue studying to increase and build on your existing knowledge base.

The paramedicine Science is a three-year degree and teaches students the fundamentals of their medical training including anatomy, biology and physiology.

To work as a paramedic with AV, you must be a citizen of Australia or New Zealand, or be an Australian Permanent Resident. You must also hold a full driver’s licence or have held a probationary licence as P2 for at least a year; you need this as you may be assigned to drive to the scene of the injury, this could be in the Ambulance van or just a paramedic car.

 Knowledge, skills and attributes needed for the business

• A caring and empathetic nature 

• highly developed communications skills.

• The capacity to remain calm, think clearly and act quickly in stressful situations.

• Teamwork and self-reliance.

• Adaptability and resilience.

• The ability to follow instructions and guidelines.

• A good level of health and physical fitness.

• Problem Solving efficiently

• Listening skills

• Physical strength

Working conditions for paramedics

Paramedics work both indoors and outdoors and in all types of weather. They are required to do a lot of manual handling tasks such as constant kneeling, bending and heavy lifting. Workers risk noise induced hearing loss from sirens and can also suffer from back injuries from lifting patients. 

Paramedics work long hours,  frequently working between 45-60 hours a week. This can lead to major fatigue and mental health issues depression, anxiety and sleep paralysis. Workers can be involved in many dangerous and threatening situations such as violence and traumatic events like domestic abuse, fatal motorist accidents etc.

Communicating OHS information

communicating OHS information as it is always getting updated regularly, most of the ways are:

•  AV paramedics internal website

•  OHS committee minutes

• Hazard and incident reports

•  Internal and external OHS training programs

• MSDS

• Fire and emergency evacuation information\

•  On workplace notice boards

• Posters displayed around the workplace

• Through meeting such as toolbox talks

•  Emails and safety alerts

•  Newsletters

• Safety signage

• Risk assessments

•  Inductions