Exploring the Experiences of Australian Graduate Paramedics Transitioning Beyond Government Ambulance Services
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Abstract
Introduction
Large student paramedic enrolment numbers in Australasian university paramedicine programs have fuelled perceptions about a supply/demand mismatch in relation to graduate employment. Jurisdictional or state-based ambulance services continue to be the preferred employer for paramedic graduates. Since professional registration commenced with AHPRA in 2018, graduates are seeking alternative options in the burgeoning private sector to maintain recency of practice while also pursuing jurisdictional employment. This study investigates the experiences of graduates who secured employment in the private sector.
Methods
The study gained low-risk ethics approval through the XXX University human research ethics committee, and research approval was sought through the Australasian College of Paramedicine. Participants (N=5) undertook semi-structured interviews, which were recorded and transcribed for data analysis purposes. Data was analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six phases of thematic analysis.
Results
The analysed findings indicate participants working as new graduates in the private sector perceived a lack of exposure to meaningful clinical cases, a lack of mentoring, and felt unprepared by universities for private sector work. However, there were perceived benefits to working in the private sector such as building situational awareness and gaining experience at mass gathering events.
Conclusion
This study adds to the growing body of knowledge about transition to practice. Existing Australian studies have mainly focused on the transition to working for jurisdictional ambulance services, and not the private sector. Therefore, the results of this research are of significance to university paramedic programs, the private sector and ambulance services employing graduates who have non-jurisdictional clinical experience.
Article Details
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