Re-published 16th February 2024.
Are you interested in exploring a career in paramedicine with a goal of gaining employment with ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS)? If your answer is yes, then you’re in the right place!
Firstly, a career as a paramedic is a noble one and it’s incredible that you’re looking to help others through this line of work and give back to your community. Keep reading to learn all about ACTAS and the ways in which they help provide emergency and non-emergency ambulance services to the ACT community.
About the ACT Ambulance Service
The ACTAS is responsible for providing emergency and non-emergency ambulance services to the wider community.
In providing emergency ambulance services, the service includes at least one intensive care paramedic (ICP) on every emergency ambulance. This is the highest level of pre-hospital clinical care provided by any ACT ambulance service, as well as in Australia. Non-emergency ambulance services are provided by ICP and Patient Transport Service resources. Patient Transport Service crews undertake routine ambulance transport of patients to, from and between hospitals and other medical facilities.
Other support provided
ACTAS also provides ICPs to, and conducts the day-to-day management of, the Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter. Snowy Hydro SouthCare is a joint initiative of the governments of New South Wales and the ACT, and provides aeromedical rescue and retrieval services to the ACT and south-eastern New South Wales.
Working for ACT Ambulance Service
ACTAS currently employs a range of positions – from intensive care paramedics (ICP) and firefighters to various administration and support roles such as media, executive support and training teams; there’s something for everyone.
If you’re specifically interested in working in the emergency or non-emergency healthcare field though, you can explore a career as a paramedic, non-emergency patient transport officer, call-taker or support staff in the Canberra region.
Graduate Paramedic Intern
ACTAS offers a comprehensive Graduate Training Program to applicants with an approved tertiary qualification. This opportunity can lead to an authority to practice as an Ambulance Paramedic. To view currently advertised positions, click here.
Volunteering program
Volunteers play a crucial role within the ACT Emergency Services Agency, offering frontline assistance during emergencies such as bushfires, storms, and floods.
Additionally, volunteers actively engage with the ACT community, providing valuable education on various hazards and imparting preparedness strategies to minimise their impact on families. Volunteer roles encompass a wide range, including rural firefighters, state emergency service members, community education practitioners, and community fire unit members.
Volunteering is a great way to build up some practical skills and knowledge, not to mention meet other community members, no matter where you’re at in your career journey. Learn more about volunteering with ACT Emergency Services Agency here.
What makes a quality job application?
Jobs with ACTAS will be posted on the ACT Government job website. To ensure a successful application, we advise following the steps below.
Strong applications make a positive impression and have a better chance of leading to an interview. Select the right job for you based on your interests and career goals, and prepare a strong (and accurate) application highlighting your skills, experience and abilities, and how they meet the requirements of the job. Your application will be assessed on the basis of merit.
Standard application requirements
It is important to provide all the information specified in the application kit. This may include some or all of the following:
- A cover letter advising which job you are applying for, and including a short summary of your skills and abilities
- A cover sheet
- A copy of your CV (or resume)
- A statement addressing the selection criteria
- Contact details for your referees
Studying paramedicine
To gain employment as a paramedic and work for ACTAS, you will need to hold a university degree and undertake relevant practical training as part of your studies. You can learn all about what’s required and university pathways here.
Alternatively, many students choose to study the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care first. Everyone has a different reason for this, however a few benefits to VET entry include;
- Getting qualified so you can work in the industry while studying to become a paramedic at university
- Your grades don’t matter – if you received a low ATAR score, you can still study the Diploma at Australian Paramedical College (APC)
- Explore if you’re eligible for RPL so you can gain credits towards your university degree
- Network with industry professionals via Clinical Placement, before furthering your career as a paramedic
- By the time you can apply to work at ACTAS, you already have a plethora of experience already under your belt!
What happens now?
If you’re interested in studying paramedicine with APC, we’d love to help!
Click the button below to kickstart the process and understand how you could become and work as a paramedic, including what you can expect as an APC student and how we can set you up for future success.
* Thanks to ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS) for the information provided on this page.
