Hi Swigski, hope you settling in ok. This is the 1st time posting on this thread. Sent you an Email before you left uk but obviously you had packed up. This is Gar from Card As, you not missing anything back here in fact its probably getting worse:curse:. Got the seminar I was telling you about this W/end in London so hoping to get a few questions answered. Is work everything you were hoping for or are there any downsides.

Hi mate.

Sorry did not reply to your last as was already on my way to Oz and not been online whilst out there.

Just got back last night after my 3 days of fun.

Been given verbal job offer as Specialist Paramedic and given choice of one of three course dates at Rozelle!

Big decisions to consider now!

Continuing good luck to all you guys who are already out there or are waiting to fly out.

Congrats Chillifarm!

Congrats on the job offer! Whether or not you decide to take up the job offer is down to you and your own personal circumstances but so far I have to say that I feel I have made the right decision. The 8 weeks at Rozelle are going well. It helps having 3 other UK Paras with me to discuss things in general and what we have been through/going through. Can't wait to get out on the road for a week in wk 6 and then after the 8 wks.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

Hi Gar, Heard that things were as usual:curse: Been following the QAS thread as well. Work so far is good. Have learnt a few new practical skills which we didn't have like Intra Gastric, Naso pharyngeal and a few more drugs. Just trying to forget the protocols we used to work to and learn the new ones which is the hardest thing so far. Settled in well. Got new car and renting a house, kids in school etc. Keep in touch and hope you get here one day!! Cheers

Hello people,
I haven't been on here for a while and as i've still got my application ongoing...... To all those who are out in Aus., what's the warts and all view regarding the type of work you're getting?
I know the move should largely relate to lifestyle improvements but deep down i'd hope the job may be better, as here in the UK, it sucks!! Maybe i'm out of step but i'd like to actually achieve something at work, not just turn up and do as little as possible!
Obviously everybody's going to view living in Sydney differently but are there any obvious positives or negatives? Cost of living, traffic, people, locations etc
Other than getting more respect from the general public (not hard compared to the UK) are there any other obvious improvements or issues with the job itself?
I personally think that the UK service is being driven into the ground by the response time culture and don't know if I can face another 15 years of this garbage. By the same token I know i'll struggle if it's the same in Aus. and I don't want a load of upheaval only to discover that reality.

Thanks.

I'm a para in QLD, was offered ICP in NSW but didn't fancy living in Sydney for 7mths+ then moving again to Harvey Bay area. It's great not working to stringent response times as in the UK, but I do miss the freedom of praxis I had as a clinician (ECP) back in the UK. Here everything is protocol driven, I believe NSW to, After being a para in Germany (4yrs), UK (13yrs) and now OZ, work is just the same, whether it be bitchy colleagues, control room that can't control, manages that can't manage or a tooth ache at 0200hrs, it's the same world wide, just a different accent and I wear sun glasses everyday. For me its purely life outside of work that makes the difference and the stress of moving worth while.

Never been happier, oh and only do 5 jobs per 12hrs instead of 12-15, easy money lol

John

Thanks for the reply John.
Sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on things and glad it's working out for you.

I think you were right to choose QLD over ASNSW for location. As far as I can establish getting out of Sydney division is pretty tough.

Positions outside of the division are advertised with lots of competition from applicants and within the division are based on transfer lists, with some stations like the northern beaches an 8 year plus wait (if ever).

In the meantime I wonder how much of a quality of life improvement moving to Sydney would really be. Personally it reminded me of London and that's not a good thing! Brisbane, in contrast, seemed really laid back and friendly

When it comes down to it, everyone has to make the decision based on their own circumstances. I have not been to Queensland so can not offer a comparison but so far I am happy with the decision I have made even if it means having to work in Sydney central. Personally, I feel that my quality of life has improved. Sydney is a big place with loads of great suburbs(some not so good) with easy access to beaches and national parks, great shopping and restaurants and doesn't have the humidity of Queensland from what I gather.
My decision to opt for NSW was mainly down to the ICP thing. My way of thinking is that in a few years if I fancy a change from Sydney, I could apply as an Australian ICP to QAS or any other service in OZ or NZ. Wouldn't have had that option with QAS!

Unfortunately QAS think their ICP's are godly figures, we had 2 NSW and 1 Victoria ICP on our induction course. All three couldn't practice straight away as ICP, they had to go not only through our induction course but a mentorship program.
Quite funny on station when you hear an ICP telling stories how they thrombolised someone and everyone listens in awe, then I mention I can remember my first time some 4 or 5 years ago

John

Nice one, congrats!!
Been trying to figure out the structure over there. What's the difference between ICP and Specialist Para?
From what I can gather from their web site and prev phone calls, is it ICP level and then you diversify to a specialist role such as S.C.A.Teams etc?

Thanks Swigski,
Like you say it comes down to a personal view and you, unlike me have actually taken the bull by the horns and made the move!
Your long view regarding a change of service in Aus. or perhaps NZ is a good point and one I hadn't really thought of. I'm not a city type and the prospect of living in Sydney really doesn't appeal. It's a shame as otherwise it seems like a good opportunity.
For me I think it's just as important to reconcile whether I can commit to continue doing this job long term or not before deciding to move to another country!!
Anyway, I hope the rest of your induction goes well and you enjoy your time on the road.
Cheers

I suppose the induction and mentorship you mention is what I am going through now in NSW. I believe it is a good way of entering a new service. Although I have been doing the job for 15 years, it is still going to take some getting used to!
I get the feeling that ICP's here in NSW are viewed as somewhat elitist and only certain areas are thrombolysing on the say so of a Doc via telemetry. 12 lead ecg's are not even done commonly for chest pains. There are 4 UK Paras on the induction course with over 50 years experience and we do have a little chuckle or 2 occasionally over certain things

One of the reasons I left the UK is because I did not feel I could commit to another 15 years in the job over there. Sydney is not perfect by any means. Every service in the world has it's problems and most are the same!
As John has said it's out of work which makes the difference and makes up for doing the same shit over here I suppose.

Hi John, to be fair that is what happens back in the UK with qualified Para's moving between services. You get a corporate induction and a period of mentored practice to prove current competence. As a clinical practice mentor, I had to do this with interservice transfers on a regular basis.

You be surprised at the differing standards between UK Para's - even with state registration