Saint John Ambulance

National and International Qualifi ed Paramedics Information Pack 1

National and International Qualified ParamedicsST JOHN AMBULANCE WA INFORMATION PACK


ContentsINTRODUCTION 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


IntroductionBecoming 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 fi rst 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 Offi cers.

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.


What it Takes to Join St John Ambulance WAEssential Prerequisites:

To be considered for employment with us as

a Qualifi ed Ambulance Offi cer/ 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 fi tness 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, confi dence and have

a commitment to learn

Have a genuine desire to care for people

in need

Possess general computer literacy

and typing skills


A number of criteria need to be fulfi lled in

order to join St John Ambulance WA from

interstate or abroad.

Equivalency and Eligibility

Interstate

The State Training Systems for Ambulance

Offi cers 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 Qualifi ed Paramedics and

Ambulance Offi cers directly recognised by

St John Ambulance WA are as follows:

South Australia Ambulance Service

Intensive Care Paramedic

Ambulance Paramedic

Victorian Ambulance Service

Ambulance Paramedic

NSW and ACT Ambulance Service

Paramedic 2 and Paramedic 1 will be

expected to complete the following to attain

paramedic equivalency:

Familiarisation program

ALS course

Hospital Placements

Level 3C Ambulance Offi cers with a

minimum of two years’ experience at that

scope of practice equates to a Grade II

Ambulance Offi cer.

Queensland Ambulance Service

Intensive Care Paramedic

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.

International

Internationally trained offi cers gain recognition

directly by examined curriculum, via National

or State registration in those countries

and scopes of practice for their local area

of service.

Internationally Qualifi ed Paramedics and

Ambulance Offi cers directly recognised by

St John Ambulance WA are as follows:

UK

Offi cers 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 Offi cer Grade II.

Paramedics with a minimum of one

year experience as an on road qualifi ed

Paramedic are directly recognised and given

equal equivalency.

United States

State and/or nationally registered and

accredited EMT-Paramedic and EMT-

Intermediate with a minimum of two years’

experience at that level of practice are

recognised as equivalent.

EMT-Intermediate may be required to

undertake further training, dependant on their

scope of practice. This will be assessed on an

individual basis.

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.

Canada

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.

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

Offi cers 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 Offi cer.

Both the National Diploma and the Critical

Care Assistant Certifi cate qualifi cation equate

to Paramedic status within St John Ambulance

WA. Paramedics with a minimum of one

year experience as an operational qualifi ed

Paramedic are directly recognised and

given equivalency.

Note: We do not accept B.A.A

level applications

Other Countries

Applications submitted from other countries

will be assessed equally and individually.

How to Become Part of the St John Ambulance WA Team


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

certifi ed 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 full-

time positions, in accordance with their

employment contract.

Applicants must fulfi l 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 fi nancial 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 certifi cation 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.

Other Information

St John Ambulance WA is affi liated 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 classifi ed as people you are

fi nancially responsible for and live with you.

On the 457 visa you will be classifi ed, and

are to remain, as an Ambulance Offi cer 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.

Visa and Sponsorship Information


WA Driver’s Licence

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.

Conversion to a WA driver’s licence can

be carried out at any licensing offi ce, 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.

International Driving Permit

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:

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 offi cer 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

Driving in Western Australia


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.

As part of the application process you will be

required to upload the following documents,

Current Driving Licence

Detailed Resume of previous working history

Professional Qualifi cation(s) and relevant

training records and certifi cates

Professional registration (where applicable)

Birth Certifi cate

Passport

Passport size photo

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.

Before the fi rst interview stage you will need to

supply to following documents;

Criminal history check /Police Clearance

Traffi c Infringements and convictions report

(All documents are to be no older than

three months)

The Recruitment ProcessThe process all applicants undertake

ensures we employ Ambulance

Paramedics and Offi cers of the

highest standard, who fi t best within

the organisation.

Qualifi cation and work experience

assessment conducted by St John

Ambulance College of Pre Hospital Care

Clinical assessment and behavioural based

interview, conducted by a Clinical Team

Leader and Recruitment Offi cer

Two satisfactory Reference checks

conducted by the recruitment team

Functional Capacity Test (fi tness test)

Psychometric Test (assessment of

personality, aptitude and abilities)

Video conference with the Recruitment

Coordinator (St John Ambulance WA will

source the venue and meet the costs)

Offer of employment

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).

The Selection Process

The Application Process


Remuneration, Workplace and Benefi tsWages

Rates of Pay for Shift and Day Ambulance Offi cers are as follows:

Classifi cation Base Rate Shift Allow Shift Penalty Gross Weekly Pay Gross Annual Pay

Grade II Ambulance Offi cer $929.29 $296.51 $24.45 $1,250.25 $65,221.58

Paramedic $1,095.55 $349.56 $28.83 $1,473.94 $76,890.50

Probation

A probation period of three months for

Paramedics and Ambulance Offi cers applies.

Annual/ Other Leave

A total of eight weeks per annum, comprising

of 4 weeks Annual leave and 4 weeks

other leave.

Sick Leave

Two shift rotations, depending on the

roster worked.

Long Service Leave

Thirteen weeks after ten consecutive years

service, and every seven years thereafter.

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 benefi t.

Uniform

All Ambulance Offi cers and Paramedics are

supplied with a uniform, prior to commencing

the Induction Course.

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.

Ambulance Usage

There is no cost if a St John Ambulance is

required for self or dependent family.

Termination

Employment may be terminated at any time

during training or probation if the required

standards are not met.

Hours of Duty:

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

Offi cers who are assessed to Grade II

Offi cers within St John Ambulance will

be required to attend an Advanced Life

Support course during the fi rst 12 months.

On-Road Ambulance Offi cer: Average hours

of work vary from 42 to 44 hours, dependant

on a 2.2.4, 4.3 or 4.4 shift rosters.

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

fi rst or second year of employment. (Paid

offi cers are currently located in the following

locations; Albany, Broome, Bunbury,

Collie, Geraldton, Port Hedland, Kalgoorlie,

Norseman, Pinjarra and Serpentine).

Vacancies not voluntarily fi lled at any of the

above locations will be fi lled by allocating

postings to offi cers 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.


Extra Information for Migrants to WAWhere to Stay

The St John Ambulance State Offi ce,

where you will spend your fi rst 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.

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.

http://www.fl agmotorlodge.com.au

http://www.beleyremotel.com.au

The following hotel offers a discount for stays

of seven days or more:

www.gemotorlodge.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.

http://www.aussiemove.com

http://realestate.com.au

http://domain.com

http://reiwa.com

Another website which may be of use is:

http://www.thelonelyplanet.com

Renting

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 verifi cation, in support of

your rental application.

Housing

To obtain information about purchasing

property and legislative framework in Perth

and the current market prices, please refer to

www.reiwa.com.au

Schooling

There are a number of schools available, both

private and Government. The standard of

education in WA is comparable to any fi rst

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.

Cost of Living

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

fi nancial situation as an overriding factor in

accepting the St John Ambulance offer.


Copyright St John Ambulance WA, 209 Great Eastern Highway, Belmont, WA 6104

Email: [email protected]

www.stjohnambulance.com.au

Tax File Number

A TFN is a unique number issued by the Tax

Offi ce to individuals and organisations for

identifi cation 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.

While you do not have to have a TFN, it is to

your advantage to have one.

If you do not have a TFN you may:

Pay more tax than necessary, or

Be unable to receive government benefi ts.

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 benefi ts).

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

proof of identity.

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.

Additional Sources of Information

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

For furth er information on th is position please email [email protected] 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.

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Saint John Ambulance