Ambulance Service- St John WA  

Our Paramedics and clinical volunteers provide emergency medical response across the state of Western Australia, an area that covers more than 2.5 million square kilometres or 33% of the total landmass of Australia.

The metropolitan ambulance service within the Perth metropolitan region, is serviced by highly trained and qualified paramedics. Our larger regional centres are serviced by mixed crews consisting of career paramedics working with highly trained clinical volunteers. Crews consisting of clinical volunteers cover the remainder of the state.

In addition, the ambulance service is responsible for specialist services which includes special operations paramedics and critical care paramedics. These specialised teams provide emergency management and intervention, can deploy to multi-casualty incidents and disasters and provide paramedical services to patients transported via the RAC rescue helicopters.

For more information about Ambulance Services delivered by St John WA visit stjohnwa.com.au or view our 2018/2019 annual report.  

St John WA Paramedics

Our paramedics are courageous, caring, confident and patient. They put themselves on the front-line of pre-hospital medical care every day, making life changing decisions. Our Paramedics work collaboratively with the broader St John WA organisation and other health care and emergency services to provide quality, patient centred care to the Western Australian community.

Throughout the recruitment process assessments are undertaken to gain evidence of a candidate’s technical and behavioural competence. Successful candidates will demonstrate following behaviours;    

• An ability to build relationships and establish rapport
• Can deal with ambiguity
• Integrity
• Discretionary effort
• Self-control and a positive outlook
• Can gather information for effective decision making
• Will review on practice with an ability for self-reflection

Paramedic skills and scope of practice 

Our paramedics are trained to Advanced Life Support (ALS) level which allows them to provide exceptional emergency care to patients. They are able to insert intravenous and intraosseous cannula (drips), administer a variety of medications, perform advanced airway management, give intravenous drug therapy for cardiac arrest patients and intravenous fluids. Above all, our paramedics are responsive to the needs of the patient, administering time critical interventions and transportation to specialist definitive care.

To view the St John WA Paramedic scope of practice please click here.

Eligibility to become a St John WA Paramedic

Permanent working rights

To be eligible for employment you need to be an Australian citizen or be a permanent resident of Australia. St John WA does not sponsor or provide advice regarding required visas. Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for information related to working in Australia.

National registration

Professional registration as a paramedic is a mandatory condition of employment as a Paramedic.

Paramedics must be registered with the Paramedicine Board of Australia (the Board) and meet the Board's registration standards to practise in Australia. A public register of practitioners is managed by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Authority (AHPRA).

For further information regarding paramedic registration, please visit the AHPRA website.

Other requirements as a Paramedic at St John WA

For candidates to be employed as an Ambulance Paramedic they must meet the following minimum requirements;

• Professional registration as a paramedic with the Paramedicine Board of Australia;
• Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia;
• Degree in Paramedicine from a recognised Council of Ambulance Authorities accredited course provider or recognised international education provider;
• Recent experience employed and working with a jurisdictional ambulance service in Australia or internationally (St John New Zealand or London Ambulance Service for example) as a Paramedic for at least two years;
• Hold a full driver’s license with no restrictions. Successful candidates are required to obtain a light rigid driver’s license within the first six months of employment. Costs associated with obtaining the required driver’s license are the responsibility of the candidate.  
  

Credentialing process for qualified paramedic applicants

Credentialing is a process of assessing and recognising the qualifications and experience of qualified paramedics.

During the credentialing process St John will review qualifications, registrations, scope of practice and relevant experience of qualified paramedic applicants. Following the credentialing process candidates will be graded as an Ambulance Paramedic (AP1) equivalent paramedic, or Grade 2 Ambulance Officer.

Candidates who do not meet the requirements of the credentialing process to become either an Ambulance Paramedic (AP1) or Grade 2 Ambulance Officer will be unsuccessful.

Unsuccessful candidates are invited to apply for other employment opportunities with St John Medical as either Industrial Paramedic or Contract Paramedic. 

What happens if I am graded as a Grade 2 Ambulance Officer?   

If candidates are graded as a Grade 2 Ambulance Officer, they may be offered employment as a Grade 2 Ambulance Officer. Upon acceptance and commencement candidates will undertake the required induction and training requirements for direct entry Paramedics and Ambulance Officers.

Candidates will then work as a Grade 2 Ambulance Officer and will complete further training where Advanced life Support (ALS) skills are taught. Candidates must successfully complete this training to be promoted to an Ambulance Paramedic AP1. It will take approximately 12 months from commencement as a Grade 2 Ambulance Officer to be promoted to an Ambulance Paramedic AP1.

Induction and Training- Ambulance Paramedics AP1 and Ambulance Officer Grade 2

Candidates will complete a three-five week induction program delivered by the College of Pre-hospital Care, Belmont.

Upon completion of the induction program candidates will work on-road with a St John Paramedic, where they will complete an eight week roster on-road  under guidance of a paramedic mentor to familiarise themselves with on-road operations. At the completion of the eight weeks a report will be compiled regarding the candidates clinical, behavioural and operational performance.

When the familiarisation process is complete candidates may be rostered with junior Ambulance Officers, where they will provide support and guidance or with other Ambulance Paramedics.

A probationary period of 6 months will apply for all new employees commencing with our team as a Ambulance Paramedic or Grade 2 Ambulance Officer.

Upon successful outcome of the job application the candidate will be offered employment with St John.

Need more information? Please email careers@stjohnwa.com.au or call 1800 086 751