Registered Paramedics with Conditions (Time-Based Supervised Practice)
UPDATE 28 Feb 2021
In early Jan 2021, we expressed ongoing concerns that AV was yet to implement any change as a result of APHRA's update. We also advised AV's GAP Recruitment that applicants were experiencing difficulty in contacting them, with emails of simple enquiries failing to be acknowledged or responded to for weeks at a time; there is no direct phone number available.
After a number of emails, on 17 Feb AV confirmed that, "Ambulance Victoria is now considering applicants with recency conditions." They also advised us that they acknowledge the importance of candidate enquiries and 'place value on responding'.
AV reinforced that being placed on Order of Merit does not guarantee an offer of employment; we agreed AV advises all applicants of this, however applicants have been held off from Order of Merit due solely to recency conditions, and this problem should now be resolved by placement on the Order, or advice of any change in their status.
We again expressed that we still have concerns over poor communication with applicants, and a failure to respond to enquiries in a reasonable timeframe. We are awaiting a response.
We are not aware of any candidates with 'recency conditions' on their Registration who have been offered a position as a Graduate Paramedic this year, and will continue to pursue equitable access to the AV 'Order of Merit' for Registered Paramedics in this position.
UPDATE 21 Dec 2020
Late last week the Paramedicine Board of Australia quietly published an update on its "Supervised practice framework" webpage.
This update include a section "Supervised practice with authorised bodies" that addresses a number of the issues we have highlighted.
In particular, this will apply to Registered Paramedics working with
- Ambulance Victoria
- Ambulance Service of New South Wales
- Queensland Ambulance Service
- St John Ambulance Service WA
- ACT Ambulance Service
- State Medical Assistance
- Paramedical Services
- Ambulance Tasmania
- LifeAid
The following documents are available from the webpage and should be read for further detail:
AV have advised that current applicants who accept an offer for Graduate Employment from AV and require a "Supervised practice plan for an Authorised Body" will have this co-ordinated by AV.
Our thanks go to Alan Eade, Chief Paramedic Officer (Safer Care Victoria), for his assistance in pursuing this issue with PBA / AHPRA, and to the AV team who have worked with PBA to ensure both interim and long-term solutions.
30 Oct 2020
Discussions with Ambulance Victoria (AV) indicate that there is an interim arrangement with the Paramedicine Board of Australia regarding recency of practise Supervised Practice Conditions. This arrangement in place to support COVID-19 response means that such conditions will enable Registered Paramedics to be eligible for the Graduate Ambulance Paramedic (GAP) Program with AV. The program will be considered as appropriate Supervised Practice by the Board (including use of AV's monthly Graduate Reports for AHPRA's reporting requirements); this of course relies on applicants being successful in AV’s recruitment process and AV having vacancies or operational requirements to commence graduate staff.
Both the Board and AV will continue to independently assess each individual's conditions, reporting, and/or performance to ensure the Registered Paramedic has met all obligations to organisational requirements.
Applicants to AV's GAP Program will remain subject to all other requirements and conditions of the application process, however this interim arrangement has effectively removed the hurdle of time-based Supervised Practice Conditions should AV need to commence staff to support the COVID-19 response who have recency of practise supervision requirements.
APA (VIC) has also been informed that the Paramedicine Board of Australia continues to consider options for how such time-based Supervised Practice Conditions may be met by Registered Paramedics including the undertaking of a transition to practice program (or equivalent); this includes consideration of AV's GAP Program, and similar programs from other jurisdictional services.
We look forward to confirmation from the Paramedicine Board of Australia of these options in the not too distant future.
