Ambulance stations across the Dandenong Ranges are set to get extra paramedic recruits with more graduates joining the workforce later this month.
Monbulk MP James Merlino made the announcement on Monday 1 August that 13 paramedics will be joining local crews and more are on their way.
Belgrave will see three new recruits join the team, while two will be heading to Ferntree Gully and one recruit has been assigned to Emerald.
“These 13 new paramedics are a huge win for Monbulk – ensuring locals get the emergency care they need, when they need it,” Mr Merlino said.
“Despite the challenges health systems across Australia are facing, we’ll keep delivering the resources and infrastructure our paramedics need, so they can keep delivering the best possible care to Victorians.”
The new recruits will be on board from 22 August, beginning with a four week induction program surrounding vital skills on how to safely move and load patients to prevent injuries, aggression and assault prevention training, and driving ambulance vehicles to ‘lights and sirens’ cases.
Graduate paramedics become fully credentialed within one year, after which they continue professional development and education for their entire careers to help them provide the best care and stay safe while they’re doing so.
A total of 404 new paramedics have been recruited so far this year, with Ambulance Victoria recruiting 700 paramedics in 2021 – its single largest annual recruitment ever – and is on track to recruit the same number this year. Recently, Ambulance Victoria experienced its busiest two quarters on record.
Montrose will also see three recruits, while Lilydale will have four graduates joining the crew.
