Of the 393 paramedics offered employment, 171 have already embarked on their exciting new career at London Ambulance Service.
A team of recruitment and operational staff from London Ambulance Service will interview and assess approximately 200 experienced paramedics or paramedics who will have recently graduated, and are keen to work for the world’s busiest ambulance service.
London Ambulance Service will be in Sydney between Monday 7 September and Friday 11 September at The Westin Hotel, 1 Martin Place, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW) 2000 and Melbourne between Monday 14 September and Friday 18 September at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, 2 Clarendon Street, South Wharf, Melbourne.
The emphasis of this forthcoming campaign is to specifically target qualified, experienced paramedics, or those who will be qualified by the end of 2015.
Many Australian paramedics recruited are already treating patients on the streets of London.
One of those new recruits is Drew Pemberton, who joined London Ambulance Service in January 2015. Drew studied at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, NSW.
Drew said: “My experience so far at London Ambulance Service has been nothing short of fantastic. Without doubt, it is the best clinical experience I have gained, and will stand me in really good stead for the future.
“We have a strong Australian contingent at my station and everyone has adapted to London both professionally and socially. I would advise anyone back home who has the opportunity to move to London and work as a paramedic to jump at the chance. Not only do you gain invaluable experience in one of the world’s most exciting and diverse cities, you also have the lure of Europe on your doorstep.”
Coming to work with the London Ambulance Service opens up many opportunities for paramedics, in addition to frontline ambulance work. These include working on a car, motorbike, bicycle and helicopter, as well as specialist teams trained to work in hazardous or potentially dangerous environments.
Karen Broughton, London Ambulance Service Director of Transformation, Strategy and Workforce, said: “If you’re a qualified paramedic or will be qualified by the end of 2015, we would love to see you. Please sign up for our assessment days and find out about working for the world’s busiest ambulance service.
“The Australian paramedics that we’ve already recruited are doing a fantastic job and form a crucial part of our workforce. They’re extremely enthusiastic, have a great work ethic and are keen to progress, which is why we’re going back to recruit more. They are really enjoying London and all that the city has to offer.
“As well as recruiting from the UK, we’re recruiting Australian paramedics because their skills closely match those of our paramedics here. To support them in taking up their new jobs in London we provide a three-week familiarisation course and driver training, so that they have all they need before beginning work with us.”
More paramedics are needed in London due to year-on-year increases in demand and a national shortage of paramedics making it difficult to recruit within the UK.
While London Ambulance Service, is working with universities to increase paramedic places on courses, and training paramedics in-house, more are needed to bridge the gap until these are qualified.
The team will also visit universities and hold opening evenings in Sydney and Melbourne to urge experienced and graduating paramedic graduates to consider a career with the London Ambulance Service.
For more information about working for London Ambulance Service, visit www.noordinarychallenge.com
