Paramedic

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 78,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits in New Zealand for qualified Paramedics eager to make a difference in emergency medical services. This role encompasses a diverse range of responsibilities, from responding to emergency calls to providing advanced life support and patient transport. Working in various environments, from urban centers to remote locations, you will utilize your clinical expertise to stabilize patients in critical conditions. Join a dedicated team committed to delivering high-quality care and enhancing community health through education and support. If you are passionate about making a positive impact in healthcare, this is the perfect role for you.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Health Science with a focus on paramedicine required.
• Registration with the Paramedic Council is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency calls and provide critical care at the scene.
• Transport patients safely while ensuring continuous medical care.

Skills

Emergency medical response

Patient assessment

Advanced life support

Communication skills

Crisis management

Education

Bachelor of Health Science majoring in paramedicine

Tools

ECG monitors

Glucometers

Pulse oximeters

Job description

New Zealand offers a broad range of Paramedic opportunities in a range of environments from fast-paced metropolitan centres to community-focused healthcare in urban, rural and remote settings.

Also known as: Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

In New Zealand, paramedic services are primarily offered through a combination of public, private, and community-based organisations, with the key providers being St John New Zealand and the Wellington Free Ambulance.

In recognition of the increased demand for emergency ambulance services, the Government has provided significant additional financial support in the last three years for emergency ambulance service providers, leading to an increased demand for qualified Paramedics across the wider health sector, as well as private service providers since Paramedic registration was introduced in 2020.

Salary information

Paramedics with up to five years’ experience usually earn $78K-$86K per year.

Paramedics with more experience and training can typically earn between $86K-$103K per year, whilst intensive care Paramedics can earn between $93K-$103K annually.

As a Paramedic you usually need to have:

1. a Bachelor of Health Science majoring in paramedicine.
2. a full Class 1 driver's licence.
3. an Authority to Practice, issued by an employer.

Registration with the Paramedic Council:

Paramedics are registered health practitioners in Aotearoa New Zealand, regulated under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act).

Te Kaunihera Manapou | Paramedic Council is the authority responsible for regulating paramedics. They define the scope of practice, which outlines what paramedics are qualified and authorised to do.

To legally work as a paramedic in New Zealand, individuals must be registered with Te Kaunihera and hold a current practising certificate issued by them.

Roles and responsibilities are guided by level of training, scope of practice, and registration with the Paramedic Council of New Zealand under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act.

Key roles and responsibilities may include:

Emergency response:

Respond to 111 emergency calls to assess and treat patients at the scene of accidents, medical emergencies, or other incidents.

Use clinical expertise to stabilise patients with life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest, severe trauma, or respiratory distress.

Patient assessment and diagnosis:

Perform comprehensive physical examinations and assessments, including checking vital signs, identifying symptoms, and determining the severity of medical issues.

Use diagnostic equipment such as ECG monitors, glucometers, and pulse oximeters.

Administering medical treatment:

Provide advanced life support and administer medications within their scope of practice.

Perform procedures like intubation, defibrillation, wound care, and managing fractures.

Deliver pain relief through medications or techniques like splinting.

Transportation of patients:

Safely transport patients to hospitals or other medical facilities, ensuring continuous care during transit.

Communicate with hospital staff to provide a detailed handover of the patient’s condition and treatment provided.

Air Ambulance and remote care:

Paramedics, especially Intensive Care Paramedics, often work in air ambulance services, attending to critically ill or injured patients in remote or hard-to-reach locations.

Public Health and Community Services:

Educate the public on first aid, health promotion, and emergency preparedness.

Provide non-emergency care, such as welfare checks for vulnerable individuals.

Event medical coverage:

Offer on-site medical support at public events, sports matches, and concerts to address any medical issues that arise.

Documentation and communication:

Accurately document patient interactions, including treatments administered, for medical and legal purposes.

Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams, often in high-pressure situations.

Maintain current registration by meeting ongoing professional development and competency requirements as set out by the Paramedic Council.

Engage in continuous learning to stay updated with advancements in medical procedures and technology.

Ethical and professional conduct:

Adhere to the Code of Conduct for paramedics in New Zealand, ensuring patient confidentiality, informed consent, and culturally safe care.

Work within their legal scope of practice and seek advice or refer patients when care exceeds their capabilities.

Internationally qualified candidates:

• EMT
• Ambulance Officer
• Ambulance Paramedic
• Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedic

Our application process:

Step 1: Submit

Step 2: Review

Our Candidate Management Team will review your application and check your suitability.

Step 3: Contact

You will be contacted by our Candidate Management Team to discuss career and location options.

Step 4: Referral

We will refer you to a Recruitment Team in your preferred location(s) for further assessment.

Step 5: Progress

Your chosen Recruitment Team(s) will be in touch with you to continue the recruitment process.