Paramedicine proves rewarding in Leongatha

GRADUATE Paramedic Tom Cleaver of Yinnar is relishing the opportunity to be based at Leongatha’s Ambulance Victoria station during his ‘grad year’, delighted to have made a career switch from teaching.

Now in his second month in the role, Tom said the year will involve extensive study and the need to achieve specific milestones demonstrating proficiency in various skills each month.

Those skills include IV canulation, capturing the electrical activity of the heart using an ECG and drawing up and administering medications.

Tom will be placed with a different clinical instructor each month.

Having already been a St John’s Ambulance and Surf Lifesaving volunteer helped smooth his transition from primary school teaching.

After completing his three-year Bachelor Degree in Paramedicine at the Australian Catholic University, Tom worked for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in its non-emergency road ambulance service transporting patients.

He outlined the transition to an emergency ambulance service.

“It’s been wonderful; it’s a quicker pace and there’s a lot more management involved with patients, including pain management,” Tom said.

That emergency ambulance experience so far has been in the local area, mostly around Leongatha and Wonthaggi.

Motor vehicle accidents can be challenging, Tom explained.

“They’re dynamic and you don’t know what you’re going to find,” he said.

Tom is certain he has found his calling, speaking of the opportunity he gets to meet and assist different patients.

“You get to find out why they’re having a bad day and help them have a better one,” he said.

Tom remarked that establishing a patient’s situation can involve detective work.

Asked how he stays calm in confronting situations, Tom suggested it is an outlook that is gained through observing experienced paramedics.

“Part of the job is to be calm, and a calming presence is important,” he said.

Tom quickly settled in at the Leongatha ambulance station and has found it is a terrific environment.

“I want to express how great a job it is and how supported I’ve been at this branch,” he said.

Such is Tom’s passion for paramedicine, he has made time to pursue an ambulance career despite his family responsibilities, being the father of four children.

When time permits, he is a keen gardener.

Tom would like to stay in the local region after completing his ‘grad year’.