LAS looks Down Under

Australian paramedics are being urged to apply now for a chance to work for the world’s busiest ambulance service.

Up to 245 Australian paramedics who apply now will be assessed and interviewed in September when a team flies over from London to visit Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The Service’s Director of Operations Jason Killens said: “We’re looking to recruit paramedics from Australia where the skills and training closely match those in the UK. We’ll be in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane for interviews and assessments but medics need to apply now.”

More paramedics are needed in London due to year-on-year increases in demand and because of a move to have more registered health care professionals overseeing patient care. The campaign - London, No ordinary challenge - aims to recruit frontline staff, including 250 paramedics and will be recruiting both in the UK and overseas.

The Service is offering support for prospective staff with their application, visa and relocation costs, and will cover the Health and Care Professions Council paramedic registration fee. Once paramedics are recruited from Australia they will undergo a short conversion course enabling them to treat patients in the UK.

Emergency Ambulance Crew Verity Reinke said: “Moving from Adelaide to Europe’s biggest city was an incredible change. There are better opportunities for career progression here than anywhere else and being exposed to more diverse cases and more exciting challenges is really improving my clinical skills. “Nothing can beat the experience of working in this city. It’s busier, faster and more exciting than anywhere else.”