National and Inter national
Qualified Param edics
ST JOHN AMBULANCE WA INFORMATION PACK
National and International Qualified Paramedics Information Pack
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Contents
INTRODUCTION
1
WHAT IT TAKES TO JOIN ST JOHN AMBULANCE WA
2
HOW TO BECOME PART OF THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE WA TEAM
3
Equivalency and Eligibility
3
– Interstate
3
– International
3
Visa & Sponsorship Information
4
Driving in Western Australia
5
THE EMPLOYMENT PROCESS
6
The Application Process
6
The Selection Process
6
REMUNERATION, WORKPLACE AND BENEFITS
7
EXTRA INFORMATION FOR MIGRANTS TO WA
8
National and International Qualified Paramedics Information Pack
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Introduction
Becoming a paramedic with St John Ambulance WA provides the opportunity to join a
progressive community organisation. We care for people across two and a half million square
kilometres, the largest area in the world covered by a single ambulance service.
Each year we transport more than 200,000 people across the state and teach over 140, 000
people life saving first aid skills.
Western Australians will tell you that our State offers the best quality lifestyle in the world.
With a fantastic climate, world-class beaches, relaxed pace of life and a natural environment
second to none.
Due to the ever-expanding population, St John Ambulance Western Australia has an increase in
demand for Operational Paramedics and Ambulance Officers.
If you are currently employed in the pre-hospital care industry in any part of the world and thinking
of advancing your career, then this is the job for you. The importance of continual professional
development is fundamental to our organisation. We are unique because we provide progression
in education and training for our paramedics.
This Information Pack will tell you everything you need to know about taking up a role, how best
to apply for a position and the selection process which will follow your application.
National and International Qualified Paramedics Information Pack
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What it Takes
to Join St John
Ambulance WA
Essential Prerequisites:
To be considered for employment with us as
a Qualified Ambulance Officer/ Paramedic,
you must:
Have previous training and
working experience in emergency
ambulance operations
Meet the minimum grading equivalency
(see Page 3 for equivalency and
eligibility information)
Possess a current Driver’s Licence and
good driving history
Have excellent health and fitness levels
(you will be required to complete a Medical
Questionnaire as part of your application)
Have excellent written and verbal
communication skills in English
Possess initiative, confidence and have
a commitment to learn
Have a genuine desire to care for people
in need
Possess general computer literacy
and typing skills
National and International Qualified Paramedics Information Pack
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How to Become Part of the St John Ambulance WA Team
A number of criteria need to be fulfilled in
order to join St John Ambulance WA from
interstate or abroad.
Equivalency and Eligibility
Interstate
The State Training Systems for Ambulance
Officers and Paramedics within Australia
are recognised automatically via mutual
recognition. The scope of practice and level of
clinical performance are assessed and equated
to the levels within St John Ambulance WA.
Australian Qualified Paramedics and
Ambulance Officers directly recognised by
St John Ambulance WA are as follows:
South Australia Ambulance Service
Intensive Care Paramedic
Ambulance Paramedic
Victorian Ambulance Service
International
Canada
Internationally trained officers gain recognition
directly by examined curriculum, via National
or State registration in those countries
and scopes of practice for their local area
of service.
Paramedics trained and within the Provincial
and Higher Education systems, with two years’
experience as a paramedic, are recognised
by the organisation. The level of equivalency
is based on the scope of practice performed
in the individual provincial services. Evidence
of this scope of practice must be produced to
make this assessment.
Internationally Qualified Paramedics and
Ambulance Officers directly recognised by
St John Ambulance WA are as follows:
UK
Officers registered by the Health Professions
Council (HPC) of Great Britain.
Ambulance Technician (EMT) with one year
clinical experience at that level equates to level
of Ambulance Officer Grade II.
Paramedics with a minimum of one
year experience as an on road qualified
Paramedic are directly recognised and given
equal equivalency.
Ambulance Paramedic
United States
NSW and ACT Ambulance Service
Paramedic 2 and Paramedic 1 will be
expected to complete the following to attain
paramedic equivalency:
State and/or nationally registered and
accredited EMT-Paramedic and EMTIntermediate with a minimum of two years’
experience at that level of practice are
recognised as equivalent.
Familiarisation program
ALS course
Hospital Placements
Level 3C Ambulance Officers with a
minimum of two years’ experience at that
scope of practice equates to a Grade II
Ambulance Officer.
Queensland Ambulance Service
Intensive Care Paramedic
EMT-Intermediate may be required to
undertake further training, dependant on their
scope of practice. This will be assessed on an
individual basis.
Individuals directly entering the organisation
must pass a driving course for Australian road
laws and conditions, prior to commencing
employment. This course will be offered prior
to employment date by an external provider for
St John Ambulance WA.
South Africa
Officers registered by the Health Care
Professionals of South African (HPCSA)
Ambulance Emergency Assistants with a
minimum of two years’ experience equates to
a Grade II Ambulance Officer.
Both the National Diploma and the Critical
Care Assistant Certificate qualification equate
to Paramedic status within St John Ambulance
WA. Paramedics with a minimum of one
year experience as an operational qualified
Paramedic are directly recognised and
given equivalency.
Note: We do not accept B.A.A
level applications
Other Countries
Individuals from the US directly entering the
organisation must pass a driving course for
Australian road laws and conditions, prior to
commencing employment. This course will be
offered prior to the employment date by an
external provider for St John Ambulance WA.
Applications submitted from other countries
will be assessed equally and individually.
Acute Care Paramedic with one year at
that level
Note: Students transferring from training
programs in other states will be assessed on
an individual basis to ascertain at what level
of the St John Ambulance WA system they
will enter.
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Visa and Sponsorship Information
Exemptions
The following are exempt from visa
sponsorship by St John Ambulance Australia
(WA) Inc:
If you are an Australian Permanent Resident,
Australian Citizen or New Zealand Citizen
with permanent Australian working rights
If you have a partner who is 457 Visa
sponsored by another employer
(requires evidence)
If you are a holder of a temporary visa and
have no restrictions in terms of full-time
employment (e.g. spouse visa)
Applicants not born in Australia, who have
obtained Australian Citizenship or Australian
Permanent Residency Status, must provide
certified copies of appropriate documentation,
including the date the status was awarded.
Sponsorship & Visa Application
Sponsorship and visa application is only
possible once an applicant is successful
through the recruitment process.
Employer sponsored Immigration will only
be available to employees accepting fulltime positions, in accordance with their
employment contract.
Applicants must fulfil thorough medical
examinations including HIV, Hepatitis B and C
blood tests and a chest X-ray. They must also
meet the required demerit point system.
We strongly encourage you to use a
professional financial advisor for information on
transfer of superannuation, etc.
In support of your visa application, St John
Ambulance WA will provide a letter of offer,
along with your conditions of employment.
Costs
St John Ambulance WA will pay for the
administration and application of the 457 visa.
Fees incurred from the medical and X-rays,
driver’s licence conversion or tests, police
clearances, document translation (if not
in English) and certification and any other
costs associated with the relocation, are the
employee’s responsibility.
Please note: Since 14 September 2009, all
primary and secondary Subclass 457 visa
applicants must show evidence of private
health insurance (or travel insurance if
eligible to enrol in Medicare under reciprocal
arrangements after arrival in Australia) before
their visas can be approved.
On the 457 visa you will be classified, and
are to remain, as an Ambulance Officer or
Paramedic for the duration of the 2 year visa
with the possibility to extend to 4 years.
The 457 visa allows you to work with St John
Ambulance and live in Australia. As an
employer, if we feel that you have been
advantageous to our company, we will further
support you in obtaining your residency. This
involves submitting a permanent letter of
employment to the Department of Immigration
in support of your application.
Residency will be optional once you have
successfully completed your probationary
period. Once you have obtained residency,
you will have opportunities to move around the
organisation into other roles and promotions.
Other Information
St John Ambulance WA is affiliated with our
own Migration Consultant. We will advise them
of the lodgement of your 457 visa, and they
will assist and support with your application.
Taking into consideration that you are the
primary applicant being sponsored to work
temporarily in Australia, you can also nominate
dependants on the 457 visa. Dependants
MUST be declared at the time of application
and lodgement.
Dependants are classified as people you are
financially responsible for and live with you.
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Driving in Western Australia
WA Driver’s Licence
International Driving Permit
In order to undertake emergency driving for
St John Ambulance WA, you will need to
convert your driver’s licence as soon after
arrival as possible. You will be allowed to
drive on non-emergencies until the process
is complete.
If you have moved to WA from abroad,
in the interim before obtaining your WA
Driver’s Licence, you will need to obtain an
International Driving Permit in order to drive
on Western Australian roads. To be eligible
you must:
Conversion to a WA driver’s licence can
be carried out at any licensing office, by
successfully undertaking an assessment.
In addition, we also require for you to obtain a
Western Australian light rigid driver’s licence.
If you are not able to receive this component
when transferring your licence, you will be
expected to obtain one of these licences
within 3 months of commencing with St John
Ambulance WA. The cost of obtaining this
additional component is $300. This cost will
not be reimbursed.
Have a current licence that is not
suspended or cancelled
Carry your licence (and International Driving
Permit if applicable) with you at all times
while driving and show it to a police officer if
asked to do so
Drive only those vehicles that you are
authorised to drive
Comply with any other conditions of
your license.
More information
To learn more about obtaining your
WA Driver’s licence and International
Driving Permit, visit
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/20393.asp
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The Recruitment
Process
The process all applicants undertake
ensures we employ Ambulance
Paramedics and Officers of the
highest standard, who fit best within
the organisation.
The Application Process
When applications are open you will be
required to apply online via
www.stjohnambulance.com.au/jobs.
As part of the application you will be required
to complete a comprehensive application form
and medical questionnaire.
Please note that it is vital that the application
is thoroughly completed to the best of your
knowledge. You must meet our grading
equivalency and medical requirements.
These documents will need to be submitted
before we can proceed with your application.
As part of the application process you will be
Before the first interview stage you will need to
supply to following documents;
required to upload the following documents,
Current Driving Licence
Criminal history check /Police Clearance
Detailed Resume of previous working history
Traffic Infringements and convictions report
Professional Qualification(s) and relevant
training records and certificates
(All documents are to be no older than
three months)
Professional registration (where applicable)
Birth Certificate
Passport
Passport size photo
The Selection Process
Qualification and work experience
assessment conducted by St John
Ambulance College of Pre Hospital Care
Video conference with the Recruitment
Coordinator (St John Ambulance WA will
source the venue and meet the costs)
Clinical assessment and behavioural based
interview, conducted by a Clinical Team
Leader and Recruitment Officer
Offer of employment
Two satisfactory Reference checks
conducted by the recruitment team
Functional Capacity Test (fitness test)
Psychometric Test (assessment of
personality, aptitude and abilities)
If applicable 457 sponsorship visa process
Induction course
Probationary period
Note: Functional Capacity, psychometric testing
and video conferencing will be conducted at
a venue closest to the candidate’s home
city/town. All costs associated with testing is
covered by St John Ambulance (WA).
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Remuneration, Workplace and Benefits
Wages
Rates of Pay for Shift and Day Ambulance Officers are as follows:
Classification
Base Rate
Shift Allow
Shift Penalty
Gross Weekly Pay
Gross Annual Pay
$929.29
$296.51
$24.45
$1,250.25
$65,221.58
$1,095.55
$349.56
$28.83
$1,473.94
$76,890.50
Grade II Ambulance Officer
Paramedic
Probation
Uniform
A probation period of three months for
Paramedics and Ambulance Officers applies.
All Ambulance Officers and Paramedics are
supplied with a uniform, prior to commencing
the Induction Course.
Annual/ Other Leave
A total of eight weeks per annum, comprising
of 4 weeks Annual leave and 4 weeks
other leave.
Sick Leave
Health and Wellbeing
A health and wellbeing allowance of $500
per annum is reimbursed for costs of health
programs such as health club memberships,
weight loss or quit smoking programmes.
Two shift rotations, depending on the
roster worked.
Ambulance Usage
Long Service Leave
There is no cost if a St John Ambulance is
required for self or dependent family.
Thirteen weeks after ten consecutive years
service, and every seven years thereafter.
Termination
Superannuation (Pension)
St John Ambulance contributes 9% to the
employees chosen Superannuation fund.
After three months continuous service, St
John will increase employer contributions to
10.5% should the employee make individual
contributions of 5%.
Salary Packaging
On commencement, employees may
participate in the Salary Packaging benefit.
Employment may be terminated at any time
during training or probation if the required
standards are not met.
Hours of Duty:
Candidates Must Give an Undertaking
That They Will:
Work according to the terms and conditions
as prescribed by St John Ambulance WA.
Be prepared to accept a posting of up
to one year at a country location in the
first or second year of employment. (Paid
officers are currently located in the following
locations; Albany, Broome, Bunbury,
Collie, Geraldton, Port Hedland, Kalgoorlie,
Norseman, Pinjarra and Serpentine).
Vacancies not voluntarily filled at any of the
above locations will be filled by allocating
postings to officers for up to one year.
Candidates will be asked to number their
preferences for a posting in one of the
Country locations. Towns are allocated
to successful candidates based on their
personal preference and merit.
The initial Induction Course consists of
11 weeks. It is made up of the following
components: a 3 week induction course
in the College of Pre-hospital care and 8
weeks of on road assessment. Advanced
Officers who are assessed to Grade II
Officers within St John Ambulance will
be required to attend an Advanced Life
Support course during the first 12 months.
On-Road Ambulance Officer: Average hours
of work vary from 42 to 44 hours, dependant
on a 2.2.4, 4.3 or 4.4 shift rosters.
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Extra Information for Migrants to WA
Where to Stay
Renting
The St John Ambulance State Office,
where you will spend your first three weeks,
undertaking a Familiarisation Course, is
located at 209 Great Eastern Highway in
Belmont, about ten minutes east of the city
of Perth. It would be advisable to look at
accommodation close by. Please view the
below website for short term accommodation.
Renting a property is another alternative
to short-term accommodation, but can be
complicated if you are not physically here. You
will be required to pay an ‘application fee’ to
be considered and there is also the matter of
viewing the property. This may prove a good
option if you wish to bring your family over.
St John Ambulance is more than happy to
provide employment verification, in support of
your rental application.
http://www.wotif.com
St John Ambulance WA has a number
of associations with local hotels offering
corporate rates, the relevant websites
are below. Please mention that you are a
St John Ambulance employee to gain the
corporate rate.
Housing
To obtain information about purchasing
property and legislative framework in Perth
and the current market prices, please refer to
www.reiwa.com.au
http://www.flagmotorlodge.com.au
Schooling
http://www.beleyremotel.com.au
For information on more permanent
accommodation and schools, the websites
listed below have information on properties
available for lease and sale, by suburb.
There are a number of schools available, both
private and Government. The standard of
education in WA is comparable to any first
world education system. School children are
expected to wear a uniform and school fees
are compulsory, however the Government
subsidises some of the cost. There is further
assistance provided by the government for
permanent residents.
http://www.aussiemove.com
Cost of Living
http://realestate.com.au
The cost of living is relative and has to be seen
in context with earnings. The important point
is to calculate your expendable income in
Australia as compared to your home country,
if you wish to compare the changes in your
financial situation as an overriding factor in
accepting the St John Ambulance offer.
The following hotel offers a discount for stays
of seven days or more:
www.gemotorlodge.com.au
http://domain.com
http://reiwa.com
Another website which may be of use is:
http://www.thelonelyplanet.com
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While you do not have to have a TFN, it is to
your advantage to have one.
When applying for a TFN online, the TFN
registration system will compare your personal
and travel document details with those held
on DIMIA systems. If your details are validated
by DIMIA, the application will progress through
the TFN registration system. If the transaction
is successful, the system will issue a receipt
number and the TFN advice will be sent to
the Australian address provided as part of the
details in your application.
If you do not have a TFN you may:
Additional Sources of Information
Tax File Number
A TFN is a unique number issued by the Tax
Office to individuals and organisations for
identification and record-keeping purposes.
Generally, if you intend to earn money in
Australia, regardless of your age, you will be
required to have a TFN.
Pay more tax than necessary, or
Be unable to receive government benefits.
Only one TFN is issued to you for your lifetime.
Once a TFN has been issued, there is no
need to re-apply for one if your circumstances
change (if you move interstate, change jobs,
change your name, have investments, or claim
government benefits).
The new online registration system can be
used by people from overseas who have
visas which allow working rights in Australia.
These include working holiday makers, New
Zealanders (who receive a visa upon arrival),
permanent migrants, overseas students who
have had their visa amended to allow them to
work, and people with a business class visa.
Applying online does mean that you will not be
required to provide physical documentation as
For furth er information on
th is position please email
careers@ambulance.net. au
The information contained within
this document is correct at the time
of printing. Please note that entry,
prerequisites and conditions of
employment may change without notice.
For further information about lifestyle and
general working conditions in Western
Australia please refer to the following web sites
that may be of a good use to you:
http://www.bom.gov.au/wa
http://wa.gov.au
http://westernaustralia.com
http://www.ato.gov.au
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/566.asp
http://www.fwa.gov.au
proof of identity.
Copyright St John Ambulance WA, 209 Great Eastern Highway, Belmont, WA 6104
Email: careers@ambulance.net.au
www.stjohnambulance.com.au
National and International Qualified Paramedics Information Pack
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