QUALIFIED PARAMEDIC
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
NSW Ambulance
2016 Qualified Paramedic Information Booklet
Locked Bag 105
Rozelle NSW 2039
Tel (02) 9779 3839 www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior
permission in writing from NSW Ambulance.
© NSW Ambulance
Disclaimer
Content within this document was correct at time of publishing.
NSW Ambulance takes no responsibility for information or procedures within this
publication that may have changed after the publishing date.
June 2016
CONTENTS
Introduction and about NSW Ambulance........................................................................................
Advertising......................................................................................................................................
Submitting an application................................................................................................................
Qualified paramedic recruitment overview......................................................................................
Assessment Stages........................................................................................................................
Pre-employment checks/clearances...............................................................................................
Residency status check...................................................................................................................
References...................................................................................................................................
Conduct and Service check............................................................................................................
NSW Health Service check register................................................................................................
National Criminal Record Check (NCRC).......................................................................................
Working with children check...........................................................................................................
Driving history check.......................................................................................................................
Health assessment..........................................................................................................................
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Medical assessment........................................................................................................................ 8
Physical fitness assessment............................................................................................................ 8
Posting preference.......................................................................................................................... 9
Letter of offer and conditions of employment.................................................................................. 9
Rosters and leave............................................................................................................................ 9
Contact us....................................................................................................................................... 9
Appendix A: FAQs............................................................................................................................ 10
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APPLICATION PROCESS
INTRODUCTION
ADVERTISING
Thank you for your interest in a career with
NSW Ambulance. This booklet provides an
overview of our recruitment and selection
processes so you have an understanding of the
stages we follow once you have submitted your
application.
NSW Ambulance advertises qualified paramedic
vacancies through the NSW Government online
recruitment website found at: www.iworkfor.nsw.
gov.au.
The booklet also contains Frequently Asked
Questions (from page six) that will answer
many of the questions you may have about the
selection process.
Applications for the qualified paramedic role
are submitted online via the NSW Government
recruitment platform: www.iworkfor.nsw.gov.au.
ABOUT NSW AMBULANCE
NSW Ambulance, as part of the NSW Health,
operates a mobile health service for the
community of NSW providing emergency
and non-emergency health care, retrieval
and specialist transport services, major
event planning and response and community
education. It is one of the largest ambulance
services in the world servicing a population in
excess of seven million and employing almost
5000 people. NSW Ambulance also has around
350 volunteers at more than 300 locations
across NSW and we operate a fleet of more
than 1500 ambulance and other vehicles.
NSW Ambulance is a division of the NSW
Ministry of Health. The Health Services Act
(1997) and Part 4 of the Health Services
Regulation 2013 is the legislative framework
under which NSW Ambulance functions.
The organisation is managed from state
headquarters located at Rozelle.
The vision of NSW Ambulance is “excellence
in care”. NSW Ambulance recognises
that quality of service, equity, meeting
community needs, investing in our people and
organisational performance will be the basis
for the development of NSW Ambulance’s
future. These concepts are represented in
the principles of “patient centered and staff
focused” and are underpinned by NSW Health’s
core values of collaboration, openness,
respect and empowerment. Key objectives of
the organisation are contained within NSW
Ambulance’s Strategic Plan.
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SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
Before submitting an application, please read
the role description for the qualified paramedic
position.
When you log on to apply for this position you
will be asked a series of eligibility questions
to ensure your suitability to progress your
application for this role.
Once you have worked your way through the
eligibility questions, you will be asked to provide
the following mandatory documents:
• certified qualifications and transcripts
(certified by a Justice of Peace)
• copy of your driver’s licence
• driving history from each state and/or
country you have lived and driven in
• a current resume outlining relevant work
history and qualifications
• Recognition of Prior Learning Form
• Authority/Certificate to Practice
• Scope of Practice – on an official letterhead
and personalised to you
• Statement of Service from relevant
employers (confirming employment dates
and the role/s you held during that time).
APPLICATION PROCESS
QUALIFIED PARAMEDIC RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW
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PERMANENT PLACEMENT
ASSESSMENT STAGE 1
Application Review
Recruitment Officers along with the Recognition
Prior Learning (RPL) Panel review applications
to determine if an applicant is eligible for
employment as a qualified paramedic (QP).
ASSESSMENT STAGE 2
Recruitment Interview
The recruitment interview is an important
part of the selection process and provides an
opportunity for the selection panel members
to meet with you and discuss your application
for the position in greater detail. The interview
questions will be behavioural in nature and your
responses will enable the interview panel to
gain a better understanding of your knowledge,
skills, abilities and personal attributes as suited
to the role of QP.
Candidates will be required to submit the
following documentation at the interview (only
originals of all identification documents will be
accepted):
• proof of Australian/New Zealand citizenship
or permanent residency (i.e. passport, birth
certificate)
• Australian drivers licence
• proof of a good driving history (complete
driving history sourced from the Roads and
Maritime Services and dated within three
months of the interview), or interstate or
international records (if applicable)
• proof of vaccinations (completed Form 188
of Vaccination Records – found at back of
this guide)
• education documents to be considered in
support of your application.
Candidates will also be asked to complete a
consent form for a National Criminal Record
Check and provide original identification
documentation. An international check may be
undertaken if necessary.
It is important to note that if you fail to include
any of the documentation required, your
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application may be delayed. If you are unsure
of the requirements, contact our HR Officers on
(02) 9320 7378 or email [email protected].
gov.au
ASSESSMENT STAGE 3:
Gap Interview
A skills assessment or the Gap Identification
Interview (GII) is a competency based
conversation and a critical step in the
application process, which must be conducted
prior to your commencement with NSW
Ambulance. This interview is scheduled at
the Ambulance Education Centre at NSW
Ambulance State headquarters in Rozelle
in Sydney or via telephone if required. The
recognition coordinator facilitates the GII with
the applicant based with a number of case
studies presented and discussed, with particular
focus on clinical science, pharmacology and
physiology. The GII identifies potential gaps in
an applicant’s previous training or experience to
assess current competencies. The assessment
then allows the recognition coordinator to
determine an appropriate induction and training
pathway for the applicant.
PERMANENT PLACEMENT
PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS / CLEARANCES
Pre-employment clearances require satisfactory
results for each of the following:
• references
• health assessment
• residency status
• conduct and service check (if applicable)
• driving record
• NSW Health Service Check Register
• National Criminal Record Check
• Working With Children Check.
RESIDENCY STATUS CHECK
You must be an Australian or New Zealand
Citizen, or hold permanent residency. (NSW
Ambulance does not sponsor international
paramedics).
REFERENCES
We will ask you to confirm the referee details
that you have provided through the www.
iworkfor.nsw.gov.au job platform with your
application and you will be given the opportunity
to provide new referee details if required.
These referees will be contacted to verify your
suitability for a paramedic role.
NSW Ambulance requests that your referees
are a supervisor or manager who has had close
and recent supervision of your work over the
past 12 months and who can talk with authority
about your skills, qualifications and experience
in relation to the capabilities required for the
role.
Referees cannot be related to you by birth,
marriage or de facto relationship. You can
provide referee details in relation to paid or
volunteer work.
CONDUCT AND SERVICE CHECK
At the application stage, you will be required
to indicate if you are a current or previous
employee of NSW Ambulance and asked to
provide your employee number (or bundy
number). If this applies to you, an internal
Conduct and Service Check will be required
and a HR Officer will be in contact. Conduct
and Service Checks will also be conducted for
applicants who have previously served with the
armed forces, emergency services or interstate
ambulance services.
NSW HEALTH SERVICE CHECK REGISTER
All candidates are checked against the NSW
Health Service Check Register. If your details
are on the register you will be contacted by a
HR Officer.
NATIONAL CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK
(NCRC)
At the interview stage all candidates must
submit a completed NCRC consent form and
provide original identification for certification.
Acceptable identification must include at least
one type of photographic identification that
contains your signature and date of birth, and
proof of citizenship or permanent residency.
The results of the NCRC will advise NSW
Ambulance of any offences including; sexual
offences, violent offences, spent convictions,
general criminality (e.g. drugs, theft, fraud),
apprehended violence orders and some driving
offences.
We do not normally reject an application solely
on the basis of a criminal record. If applicable,
you will be given the opportunity to discuss the
findings as part of a structured risk assessment.
WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK
NSW Ambulance has a legislative requirement
to conduct background checks where a
role involves contact with children; the role
of a paramedic is considered child- related
employment.
You must have a current Working With Children
Check prior to commencing employment with
NSW Ambulance.
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PERMANENT PLACEMENT
The current cost for a Working With Children
Check is $80 and is paid to the Roads and
Maritime Services or Services NSW. To find
out more, or commence your application go to
www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au
DRIVING HISTORY CHECK
Being able to drive in a safe and responsible
manner is an inherent requirement of the role.
You are required to have no more than six (6)
demerit points on your current licence, with a
two year clean driving history. If you are not
certain of your driving history, you are still
encouraged to apply, as an assessment will be
conducted at the time of application.
HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Candidates are invited to complete the health
assessment upon successful completion
of all other pre-employment clearances.
The health assessment is composed of two
parts: a medical assessment and a physical
fitness assessment (see details below).
Health assessments are undertaken by an
independent health assessment provider and
costs approximately $754.
MEDICAL ASSESSMENT
The NSW public expects a high standard of
medical fitness from paramedics in order to
ensure public, patient and employee safety. The
medical assessment criteria are based on the
essential requirements of the role.
The medical assessment will involve a
comprehensive clinical evaluation. Areas tested
include:
• vision
• hearing
• urine analysis
• range of motion
• lung capacity
• blood pressure
• pulse
• height and weight.
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PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT
The physical fitness assessment measures
your ability to meet the physical demands of the
paramedic role, including:
• flexibility
• strength
• power
• endurance
• aerobic capacity.
You will be asked to perform a number of
tasks to assess your fitness. These tasks may
include:
1. Hover test – you need to be able to support
your body weight between toes and elbow,
with back and legs held straight, for at least
60 seconds.
2. Carry load test – you will need to
demonstrate that you can safely lift and
carry two weighted bags (total weighted
maximum of 36 kg) and ascend and
descend one storey of stairs twice in less
than 90 seconds.
3. Shoulder lift test – reach and lift a 12kg
weighted bag near shoulder height and carry
with the same arm. The medical practitioner
will then make a recommendation to NSW
Ambulance on whether you have the
appropriate level of medical and physical
fitness for the role of paramedic.
Please note that candidates with pre-existing
medical conditions are encouraged to bring
medical reports, x-rays or other medical
information to assist the doctors in assessing
their case. There can be long delays otherwise.
Should the medical assessment reveal the
necessity for further diagnostic tests, these are
conducted through the candidate’s own GP or
specialist in order to allow the candidate to be
involved in the diagnostic process.
Please note, in these situations the assessing
medical practitioners do not make the decision
whether or not to employ candidates; they
conduct the examination and gather the
information.
PERMANENT PLACEMENT
They then submit this information to the
occupational physicians (who also work for
the same Health Assessment provider) who
review the information and then make a
recommendation regarding your physical ability
to be employed as a paramedic.
POSTING PREFERENCE
NSW Ambulance will consider your
preferences but you could be posted to any
location within the state where there is an
operational requirement. You will be given three
opportunities to accept a particular posting and
if you decline all the three allocated postings,
your application will be closed and you will have
to re-apply after a waiting period of 12 months.
LETTER OF OFFER AND CONDITIONS
OF EMPLOYMENT
A formal letter of offer is typically made four
to six weeks before commencement date
with NSW Ambulance. Your conditions of
employment may include and not be limited
to, obtaining a manual Unrestricted Light
Rigid (LR) Licence prior to commencement;
relocating to any part of NSW and following
any recommendations made as a result of your
health assessment.
All other related conditions and entitlements can
be found in the Operational Ambulance Officers
(State) Award which can be accessed on the
NSW Health website www.health.nsw.gov.au/
careers, under remuneration and conditions.
ROSTERS & LEAVE
We provide a 24 hour emergency service.
Paramedics work rostered shifts which include
weekends, and public holidays. The roster
system is usually four days on with four or five
days off on a nine week rotating roster.
Annual leave accrues per fortnight, and you
will accrue six weeks annual leave following a
year’s service. Two months long service leave
is accumulated after ten years of service.
CONTACT US
Our HR Officers are happy to help you make
this an easy process. If you are unsure of what
documentation you need to provide, or how and
when to provide it, phone
NSW Ambulance Recruitment on (02) 9320
7378 or email [email protected].
To find out more about NSW Ambulance visit
our website at www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au.
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APPENDIX A: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHEN CAN I APPLY?
Applications are open throughout the year on
www.iworkfor.nsw.gov.au.
WHAT IF YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR VACCINATION RECORDS?
Under NSW Health Policy, all paramedics
must comply with occupational assessment,
screening and vaccination against specified
infectious diseases.
Form 188 (attached) contains information
about the vaccination records you must provide
to be eligible to apply (with the Hepatitis B
vaccination, only the first dose is required at
application stage). You may wish to ask
your doctor to provide you with written
documentation and completion of Form 188 to
verify you are protected against the following
infectious diseases:
• diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis
• measles/mumps/rubella
• chicken pox
• TB screening
• hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B requires:
1. As a minimum, evidence you have received
the first dose of the vaccination must be
provided at the behavioural interview.
2. Evidence you have received the second
dose must be provided prior to commencing
employment.
3. Third dose evidence must be provided within
the first six months of employment.
If you cannot provide these vaccination records
at interview stage, we cannot consider your
application further.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE
PRE-EMPLOYMENT CLEARANCE TO BE
COMPLETED?
We normally allow six to eight weeks for all
checks to be completed. The Working With
Children Check and National Criminal Record
Check are performed by other government
agencies in accordance with due process
and legislative requirements and cannot be
expedited.
WHAT INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO
NSW AMBULANCE ABOUT MY HEALTH
ASSESSMENT?
NSW Ambulance receives a ‘fit slip’ following
your health assessment. A ‘fit slip’ is a form
signed by the medical practitioner employed by
the health assessment provider stating whether
you are fit to perform the role of paramedic.
The health assessment provider may seek
further information from you or your specialist to
determine your overall fitness and health. Any
conditions that you must adhere to in order to
perform the role of paramedic may become a
condition of employment.
CAN I REAPPLY IF UNSUCCESSFUL IN
THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS?
Your application may be found unsuccessful
at any stage of this recruitment process.
The Recruitment unit will provide you with
feedback should your application be deemed
unsuccessful.
You may reapply via the recognition of prior
learning pathway if you wish. If you do consider
reapplying it is recommended that you do
so once you have sufficiently improved your
knowledge, skills and the quality of your
application as per the feedback received from
your last attempt via this pathway. This normally
takes 6 months.
Note: Any candidate found to be deliberately
supplying false or misleading information in
an attempt to gain employment with NSW
Ambulance will be disqualified from further
consideration for employment.
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APPENDIX A: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHERE DO I OBTAIN THE CONSENT
FORM FOR NATIONAL CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK AND 100 POINTS ID?
We will send these forms as part of your
confirmation of interview.
WHAT COSTS WILL I HAVE TO MEET
DURING THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS?
See Table A for costs incurred during the
recruitment and selection process.
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TABLE A:COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PARAMEDIC RECRUITMENT*
SELECTION PROCESS
TYPE
APPROXIMATE COST PAID
DIRECTLY TO
Application
Vaccinations
Cost varies per provider
Interview
Travel
Cost will vary
Working with children check
$80
Paid to: Roads and Maritime
Services or Service NSW
National Criminal Record
Check
This cost is covered by NSW
Ambulance
Health Assessment:
inclusive of medical and
physical fitness assessment
$754
Paid to: Health assessment
provider
Driving record – all states and
countries you have driven in
for over six months within the
last 10 years
$30+ in NSW
Paid to: Roads and Maritime
Services
Pre-employment clearance
Offer of employment
$750+
Manual Unrestricted Light
Rigid Licence required prior to Paid to: Roads and Maritime
commencement of employment Services and provider
*Costs are current as at June 2016.
*Unless stated otherwise, these costs
will be paid for by the applicant.
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