APC Partners with Highlands First Aid

Published 6th December, 2023. 

Rodeos, sports, community events and more – Australian Paramedical College (APC) is excited to announce the news of our recent partnership with Highlands First Aid. This Industry Partnership is expected to streamline the onboarding processes for individuals who wish to apply for Clinical Placement or employment with the team at Highlands First Aid.

How does this partnership benefit APC students?

If you’re residing in Southern Highlands, Sydney, Canberra, Wollongong or Illawarra, this opportunity could be perfect for you. 

As an individual studying either APC’s HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care or HLT41120 – Certificate IV in Health Care, you are required to complete Clinical Placement as an essential aspect of your studies. This experience (whether on placement or during employment) can take one’s career in healthcare to the next level. This is something that Events Team Leader, Trainer and Assessor and Registered Paramedic, Kiaran Drew holds close.

Attending events such as rodeos, rugby games, mountain biking and more means students can gain experience at some of the busiest events taking place across NSW and the ACT. Having the opportunity to gain this type of experience and confidence can truly set students up for future success having “seen and done it all” as part of their Clinical Placement.

Who are Highlands First Aid?

Highlands First Aid is owned by Kiaran and Ethne Drew. Both are proud to offer event first aid but also courses consistent of First Aid, CPR, manual handling and more. Having a background in ambulance for 15+ years, Kiaran’s style is to take the complete opposite approach of “read the book, teach the course”. He takes his years of experience to teach from a paramedic’s perspective. 

Kiaran shared with APC, “Based in the NSW Southern Highlands, Highlands First Aid consists of Paramedics, Intensive Care Paramedics, Paramedic Educators, and triage nurses. We provide Events First Aid coverage from Canberra to Sydney, the Illawarra, and sometimes beyond…The feedback from the APC students is they really enjoy being mentored by Paramedics with extensive on road experience.

Highlands First Aid's Kiaran Drew.Highlands First Aid’s Kiaran Drew.

What’s the point of difference at Highlands First Aid?

Kiaran is passionate about not just having the qualifications to back the position or title, but having the experience too.

Highlands First Aid is the preferred medical service provider to Equestrian Australia and this can be accredited to their highly skilled team of Registered and Intensive Care Paramedics, Triage Nurses and First Responders. All employees have experience in low-to-high acuity events, and being in positions where “instant decisions may save lives”. 

Looking to apply for placement?

If you’re already an APC student, jump onto your Clinical Placement module on your student portal to get in touch.

Keep in mind that your Clinical Placement may lead to employment upon graduation so put your best foot forward to stand out from the crowd, Kiaran sharing to APC, “We started offering mentoring to APC students, which has led to some APC students now being employed by us.” Being on the lookout for new team members regularly, this Industry Partnership is one of the most streamlined processes individuals can take to gain employment with Highlands First Aid. 

APC students Pip (left) and Katelyn (middle) on Clinical Placement with Highlands First Aid.APC students Pip (left) and Katelyn (middle) on Clinical Placement with Highlands First Aid.

Looking to enrol at APC?

We’d love to have you onboard! To apply for APC’s HLT51020 -Diploma of Emergency Health Care, HLT41120 – Certificate IV in Health Care or HLT31120 – Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport, click here.

Whether you’re wishing to upskill, change careers or give back to your community, APC is the place to kickstart your healthcare career.

What is your career journey?

To discover how you can become a fully qualified Ambulance Paramedic or Basic/Advanced Life Support Medic, complete a personalised paramedical career development plan.