Overview
Initiative type
Education and Training
Status
Deliver
Published
27 April 2018
Summary
The South West Hospital and Health Service (SWHHS) have developed an innovative program to utilize the abundance of duel degree Paramedic/Registered Nurse (RN) graduates that are leaving universities but are unable to utilize both their degrees. After completion of the program the Paramedic/RN is employed by SWHHS into their Hospital based ambulance sites, enhancing pre-hospital treatment and experience.
Working with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) the SWHHS have developed a program to
Key dates
Jan 2017 - Jan 2018
Implementation sites
South West Hospital and Health Service
Partnerships
Queensland Ambulance Service
Aim
Provide increased employment options for duel graduates in rural and remote locations.
Outcomes
- Increased workforce flexibility leading to improved knowledge and skills base for the Hospital and Health Service.
- Ensures that graduates are employed and undertake their post degree requirements for employment by both QAS and Queensland Health (QH) through an accredited program.
- Enables seamless movement of staff from employment as an RN to Paramedic.
Background
Ambulance Services worldwide are increasingly playing wider community healthcare roles. In recent years the capacity for ambulance services to make a significant contribution to improving health services by expanding their role beyond providing emergency pre-hospital care has been recognised.
Rural and remote locations provide the ideal setting in which to instigate expanded roles for paramedics, given the challenges faced by health services in providing equity in access to healthcare services in these areas.
Discussion
There is an increased number of graduates applying for access to the program and an alternate pathway to career development through the activation of both degrees.
Key contact
Chris Small
Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery
South West Hospital and Health Service