Trainee Paramedic Application Information Booklet excellence in care 2014 Trainee Paramedic Application Information Booklet Trainee Paramedic Application Information Booklet CONTENTS Are You Ready To Apply? 2 Overview of Selection Process 3 Selection Criteria 3 The Selection Process 4-5 –Application 4 – Occupational Suitability 4 Testing –Interview 4 – Referee Check and Conduct and Service Check 4 – Working With Children Check 4-5 – Health Assessment 5 Recruitment Timeframe 6 Unsuccessful Applicants 6 Letter of Offer and Conditions Of Employment 6 Contacting Us 6 Further Information 6 Frequently Asked Questions 7 Form 188 Introduction Thank you for your interest in a career with the NSW Ambulance. This booklet provides an overview of our selection processes so you have an understanding of the stages we follow once you have submitted your application. The Frequently Asked Questions on page 7 should answer many of the questions you may have about the application process but should you have additional queries please feel free to call one of our Recruitment Officers – contact details are on page 6. q Are you ready to a pply? Will you hold an Unrestricted Drive rs Licence by 5 May 2014? q Are you willing to gain an Unrestric ted Light Rigid Drivers Licence as a condition of em ployment? Have you be en vaccinated ag ainst the following diseases (see Fo rm 18 q q this booklet): 8 attached at the end of – Diptheria, Teta nus, Pertussis – Measles, Mum ps, Rubella – Hepatitis B (first dose required be fore you can apply – Chicken Pox ) – Tuberculosis Are you willing to relocate to any pa rt of New South Wales as require d for the job? Do you have a go od level of medica l and physical fitness to perform the role of a Train ee Paramedic? q 2 NSW Ambulance Trainee Paramedic Application Information Booklet What are the stages of the Selection Process? Application is received complete with items from checklist Occupational Suitability Testing Interview Referee and Conduct and Service Checks Working with Children Check National Criminal Record Check Health Assessment If you are UNSUCCESSFUL this year you will receive a letter advising you that your application will not be progressing further. If you are SUCCESSFUL you will be placed on the Eligibility Waiting List and may receive a Letter of Offer for Employment for a vacancy which arises within 12 months of applying. Essentially the application process will follow these six key stages, however these may not always occur in the order you expect them to. We may sometimes be required to expedite the recruitment process and several stages may be conducted at once, or even in a different order to the one you see above. We need to be flexible to respond to varying demands and constraints. That said, there is a very good chance your recruitment experience will follow the above steps. Please be aware that this is the typical recruitment experience of a successful applicant. Selection Criteria for Trainee Paramedics 1. Effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including excellent customer care skills for a diverse range of clients. 2. Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment to support the completion of team goals and continuity of patient care within the NSW health system. 3. Planning and organising skills to effectively manage own time and prioritise workload, with the ability to manage stress and maintain performance under pressure without negative impact on self or others. 4. Computer literacy and demonstrated ability to learn and operate new software. 5. A high standard of medical fitness, physical fitness and strength appropriate to perform the requirements and duties of the position. 6. Holding a manual Australian Unrestricted Driver’s Licence by 5 May 2014 and holding as a minimum prior to commencing employment, an Unrestricted Light Rigid Driver’s Licence. 7. A good driving history with a loss of no more than 6 demerit points in the last 3 years and no licence cancellation in the previous 2 years. In addition, Ambulance will consider all convictions, particularly those relating to driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, reckless driving, dangerous driving or those leading to loss of licence regardless of when it occurred. 8. Evidence of protection against the following infectious diseases: > Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis > Hepatitis B (the first dose is required by the closing date of application) > Measles/Mumps/Rubella > Chicken Pox > Assessment of Tuberculosis (TB) status Please see Form 188 attached at the end of this booklet. NSW Ambulance 3 Trainee Paramedic Application Information Booklet Our Selection Processes Application Stage Your application will determine if you are invited to progress further in the recruitment process. Please be aware that if you fail to include any of the information required, your application may be excluded at this stage. Complete the online application form, upload copies of the information required. Your entire driving record may be further assessed prior to any job offers being made. Occupational Suitability Testing Stage The occupational suitability testing consists of numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and abstract reasoning and measures an individual’s capacity to perform higher mental processes of reasoning, remembering, understanding and problem solving. The tests are conducted online and takes 20 minutes. Instructions and time to practice is provided at the time of sitting the test. Applicants pay approx. $70 by credit card. The receipt of payment takes 5 – 7 days to clear. Once payment has been received, you will receive an emailed invitation to undertake the test. Interview Stage The interview is a very important part of the selection process. Interviews may be conducted by two or more Selection Committee members.Your response to the interview questions will enable the interview panel to gain a better understanding of your knowledge, skills, qualifications, abilities and personal attributes. The panel are looking for a match between your personal attributes, the selection criteria and the requirements of the position. 4 NSW Ambulance Preparation > The interview questions will be based on the Selection Criteria. > You may be asked behavioural or situational questions as well. Behavioural questions are specific questions relating to past experience. Situational questions are generally a scenario or situation that require a response of how you might handle the situation. > You will be given the opportunity to ask any relevant questions at the end of the interview. > Job interviews can be quite stressful so preparing well can minimise your nerves. > It is important that you make a good impression with the information you provide. > You will be compared with other applicants, therefore you need to be competitive and give yourself the best chance to succeed. Interview Tips DO > Research the organisation and the position > Dress neatly > Arrive early or call if you are delayed > Relax and be straightforward > Answer the questions you are asked > Be honest > Sell yourself DON’T > Be negative >Exaggerate > Speak too little or for too long Referee Check and Conduct and service check Your nominated referees will be contacted by the Operational Recruitment Section to further verify the information you have provided throughout the selection process. Please provide all phone numbers and email addresses of at least two referees who can be contacted by phone during business hours. Referees are supervisors or managers who have had a close and recent involvement in your work over the past 12 months and who can talk with authority about your skills, qualifications, experience and abilities in relation to the selection criteria. At least one referee must be a current supervisor. Employment can be paid or as a volunteer. Please note, referees cannot be related to you by birth, marriage or de facto relationship. In addition to this stage of the selection process and prior to an offer of employment, your Human Resource Manager (or equivalent) will be contacted to provide a Conduct and Service Check. Working with Children Check and National Criminal Record Check Ambulance must be satisfied that employees do not present an unacceptable risk to the organisation, the community or to patients. For this reason, all applicants must consent to a Working With Children Check. Current Patient Transport Officers do not repeat this specific pre-employment check. There is a legislative requirement to conduct background checks where a role involves contact with children, therefore, the role of a paramedic is considered child-related employment. Trainee Paramedic Application Information Booklet All child related workers must have a WWCC prior to commencing employment with Ambulance and update their status every five years in accordance with the NSW Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012. Individuals wishing to be engaged in child related work are responsible for obtaining and paying for their WWCC number from the Children’s Guardian. The current cost for a WWCC is $80. The NCRC will advise Ambulance of any registrable offence, sexual offences, violent offences, spent convictions, general criminality (drugs, theft, fraud), apprehended violence oders and some driving offences. Ambulance conducts, with your consent, a NCRC for an applicant who has had a successful interview. You will be asked to complete the NCRC consent form at the interview; you will also be asked to bring original documents to meet 100 points of identification. Identification must be current and must include at least one type of photographic identification that contains a signature and date of birth. A birth certificate or passport and a Driver’s Licence are preferred and will meet the 100 points requirement. There is no cost to applicants for the NCRC. All applicants will be given an opportunity to discuss any matters as part of a structured risk assessment process. No applicant will be rejected solely on the basis of a criminal record without first participating in the risk assessment process. Health Assessment Stage Applicants must be prepared to travel to the closest available testing centre. The pre-employment Health Assessment is composed of two parts: the medical assessment and the physical fitness assessment. The health assessment will cost applicants approximately $700 and takes less than 2 hours (eg 105 minutes). Medical Assessment The New South Wales public expect a high standard of medical fitness from paramedics in order to ensure both public, patient and employee safety. The medical assessment criteria are based on the essential requirements of the position. Consequently, some applicants may have medical conditions that fail to meet the standards set by Ambulance. Applicants with pre-existing medical conditions are encouraged to bring medical reports, x-rays or other medical information to assist the doctors in assessing their case. There can be long delays otherwise. Should the medical assessment reveal the necessity for further diagnostic tests, then they are conducted through the applicant’s own general practitioner or specialist in order to allow the applicant participation in the diagnostic process. Please note that the assessing practitioners do not make the decision whether or not to employ applicants, they conduct the examination and gather the information. The provider’s own Occupational Physicians review the information and then make a recommendation regarding employment in the specified role. The Medical Assessment will involve a comprehensive clinical evaluation. Actual areas tested include: > Lung capacity > Vision > Blood pressure > Hearing > Pulse > Urine analysis > Range of motion > Height & weight. Physical Fitness Assessment The tests you will undertake correlate with a paramedic’s job demands and work postures and will measure the strength and capacity of each joint and its surrounding tissues. Your results will determine whether or not you have the appropriate level of fitness and physical capacity relevant to the demands of the position for which you have applied. The Physical Fitness Assessment includes: > Flexibility > Strength > Power > Endurance > Aerobic capacity. There are a number of tasks that you will be ask to demonstrate to assess your fitness. You will receive thorough instructions at the time of your Health Assessment. A few examples are: 1. hover test - you need to be able to support your body weight between toes and elbow with back and legs held straight for at least 60 seconds. 2. carry load test – you will need to demonstrate how you can safely lift and carry two 12 kg weighted bags (a total of 24kg), and ascend and descend one storey of stairs twice in less than 1½ minutes. 3. shoulder lift test – reach and lift a 12 kg weighted bag near shoulder height and carry with the same arm. You should start your training for this physical fitness testing as soon as possible and gradually increase your workload right up until the time of your assessment. Remember that if you stop training you will lose the fitness you have gained. You should always seek medical clearance from your doctor prior to starting an exercise program. If you are unsure of how to train then make sure you seek assistance from a physical fitness expert. NSW Ambulance 5 Trainee Paramedic Application Information Booklet General information RECRUITMENT TIMEFRAME SALARY LEVELS SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION Our selection process is complex often with several hundred applicants and generally takes six to twelve months. However, if there is a higher than normal response, or if there are fewer employees leaving ambulance than expected, it can take as long as two years. You will be notified whether you have progressed. While you may meet the selection criteria, all applicants are being assessed in competition with the other applicants, therefore please do not resign from other employment or make life altering decisions until you receive a formal written offer of employment from Ambulance. As of 1 July 2010 the base salary levels are: We invite you to submit an online application. Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm of the advertised closing date, as stated on our website. You can only apply via the paramedic employment section on our website www.ambulance.nsw. gov.au. UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS In addition, superannuation is paid at 9.25% of the base salary. Shift penalty rates increase your base salary. For example, first year trainees can earn up to $65,000 or more which includes the base salary level plus shift penalty rates. Applicants who are not progressed will be advised by letter at the relevant stage of the selection process. Ambulance is unable to provide specific feedback with regards to testing, interview, referee checks or conduct and service check stages. Contacting Us al ter or technic For all compu recruitment e issues with th mail asnsw@ e se a le p system roup.com rg e w o p man t er recruitmen If you have oth hone (02) 9320 se p enquiries plea job@ambulance. 7378 or email ov.au nsw.g 6 NSW Ambulance > Trainee Paramedic $54,908 > Paramedic Interns $56,462 to $57,553 > Paramedic (qualified) $61,247 to $65,667 > Paramedic Specialists $70,587 to $74,709 > Station Manager $81,446 > District Manager $84,425 More information, including the Operational Ambulance Officers Award can be found on our website www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au. This information is regularly updated. LETTER OF OFFER AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Offer of Employment letters are issued by the Operational Recruitment Section approximately four weeks prior to the Induction course commencement date. Please note the following: An offer of employment is subject to your attainment of an Unrestricted Class LR (Light Rigid) NSW Licence or higher licence, before you commence employment. Please note: Ensure you include all copies of information required (as listed below). Incomplete applications may result in your application being unsuccessful. CHECKLIST q Copy of your birth certificate or passport q Copy of your Australian drivers licence q Copy of your complete driving history from each state/ country you have driven in (obtain over-the-counter from the Roads and Traffic Authority, not on-line) q Copy of vaccination records (complete form 188 which is included in this booklet) A brief resume outlining the functions q and responsibilities of each job including reasons for leaving Copy of any qualifications or q transcripts of your results that you wish to submit in support of your application Permanent employees of Ambulance do not need to provide birth certificate/ passport information. Current Patient Transport Officers of Ambulance only need to provide a brief resume and copies of qualifications. Your original documents must be brought with you to interview. Trainee Paramedic Application Information Booklet Frequently Asked Questions DO I HAVE TO PROVIDE WRITTEN ANSWERS TO THE SELECTION CRITERIA? with written documentation to verify you are protected against the following infectious diseases: No, you don’t need to respond to these in your application, however, you will be assessed against all of these criteria at the following stages of selection: submitting your application; Occupational Suitability Testing; Interview; National Criminal Record Check and a Working With Children Check; Health Assessment; Referee Checks; Conduct and Service Checks. Please provide a brief resume, Your full driving history (from every state or country you’ve lived and driven in for more than six months within the past ten years) and photocopies of your Driver’s Licence and Birth Certificate/ passport. You may also submit copies of education results and qualifications in support of your application. >Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis WHY AND WHEN DO I NEED TO GET AN UNRESTRICTED LR LICENCE? DO I GET A CHOICE WHERE I WILL BE LOCATED? You will need an Unrestricted (manual) driver’s licence by 5 May 2014. In order to drive Ambulance vehicles you will also need a light rigid (LR) licence before commencing employment. The cost of obtaining this LR licence can be approximately $700. We will advise you to obtain this when we write to you to offer you employment. WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T HAVE MY VACCINATION RECORDS? You will need to be vaccinated by 30 September 2013 for applications to be eligible to apply (with the Hepatitis B vaccination, the first dose only is required by this date). Form 188 included in this booklet contains information about the vaccinations you require. Bring this to your Doctor and ask your doctor to provide you >Measles/Mumps/Rubella > Chicken Pox > TB screening > Hepatitis B: – minimum of 1st dose evidence must be provided before application closing date – 2nd dose evidence must be provided prior to commencing employment – 3rd dose evidence must be provided within first 6 months of employment. There are a limited number of positions so to avoid disappointment please complete your vaccination straightaway. You will be initially appointed to a training area – this is generally within the Sydney metropolitan area but can include regional areas. Then in the second year, prior to undertaking the Inservice 1 course, Ambulance will give you the opportunity to express a preference for locations which have been deemed to be priority vacancies – these are located in rural areas. Ambulance will try to fulfil your preferences but you could be posted to any location within the State where there is a service requirement. This is something you may need to carefully consider before applying for a Paramedic position. AM I TOO OLD OR TOO YOUNG TO BE A TRAINEE PARAMEDIC? There is no age restriction. Applicants do, however, need to satisfy Ambulance’s mandatory licence requirements (ie. unrestricted driver’s licence) and the health assessment. ENGLISH IS MY SECOND LANGUAGE – WHAT LEVEL OF ORAL SKILL IS REQUIRED? Paramedics need to be clear and effective communicators so your communication skills in English will be assessed during the selection process. Applicants who have more than one language are encouraged to apply. WHAT IF I DON’T CURRENTLY MEET THE SELECTION CRITERIA? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU RECOMMEND? Your future career in the NSW Ambulance is important to us. We recommend courses in pre-hospital care or paramedical studies such as those offered by Charles Sturt University (Bathurst, NSW and Port Macquarie, NSW), University of Tasmania (Rozelle, NSW and Hobart, TAS) and other approved paramedic courses in QLD, VIC, SA, WA and New Zealand. We also recommend professions that help you to understand and meet our selection criteria which includes, but are not limited to, nursing and customer service. NSW Ambulance 7 Ambulance website Find out more about Ambulance at our website: www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au For more information: If you have any enquiries about working for Ambulance, you can contact a Recruitment Officer by ph: (02) 9320 7378 or by email: [email protected] 8 NSW Ambulance FORM: 188 Date issued: 25 January 2012 Issued by: Clinical Services Occupational Assessment, Screening & Vaccination Program Verification Form Name: Date of Birth: Home Phone Number: Country of Birth: Email Address: Mobile Phone Number: Residential Address: Name of University: Student Number: NSW health care workers must be protected against some specific infectious diseases because of both OH&S and Patient Safety risks. The requirements listed below are NSW Ministry of Health policy and all Ambulance employee and clinical placement applicants must provide evidence of compliance with the listed criteria. Compliance with these requirements also provides additional public health benefit. Please complete the questionnaire below and provide all evidence as an attachment. Acceptable evidence includes blood test results or copies of vaccination records or cards. Statutory declarations are not acceptable. Attach the evidence to this form. You may need to visit your GP to complete all aspects of this program. You must have had an ADULT dTpa (diphtheria / tetanus / pertussis) booster vaccination. Attach a vaccination record. (A blood test is not acceptable evidence. An ADT vaccine is not acceptable – the vaccine must contain pertussis/whooping cough.) You must have completed a hepatitis B vaccination course suitable for the age that you had it (ie 2 doses if given to you as an adolescent, or 3+ doses for any other age). Attach the vaccine records OR provide as much information as you know about when or where you had the vaccine course. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------After the complete hepatitis B vaccination course, you must have had a blood test “for immunity” to determine if the hepatitis B vaccination was successful. Attach a copy of the blood test result (hepatitis B Surface Antibody is the name of the correct test). Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) - if your year of birth is 1966 or after, either attach records for 2 doses of MMR vaccine given at any stage of your life (minimum 1 month apart), or copies of positive immunity blood test results for Measles, Mumps and Rubella. If your year of birth is before 1966, disregard this MMR section. Page 1 of 2 FORM: 188 Date issued: 25 January 2012 Issued by: Clinical Services Have you had Chicken Pox at any stage in your life (circle correct answer)? YES NO DON’T KNOW a. If YES, Move on to the Tuberculosis section b. If NO or DON’T KNOW, has a doctor ever diagnosed you with shingles? YES NO c. If YES, move on to the TB section d. If NO, either attach records for 2 doses of chicken pox vaccine given minimum 1 month apart, or copies of a positive immunity blood test result for chicken pox (varicella Zoster IgG). Tuberculosis (TB) Assessment Tool Have you ever had TB Screening? YES NO (If yes please attach record) Have you ever had contact with a person known to have TB? Have you ever lived or travelled overseas? YES YES NO (If yes, please provide details) NO (please include countries where you have spent more than 3 months cumulatively) COUNTRY ___________________ AMOUNT OF TIME IN THAT COUNTRY __________________________________ ___________________ ___________________________________ ___________________ ___________________________________ ___________________ ____________________________________ Are you currently suffering any symptoms of active Tuberculosis? (If YES please provide additional details) o Coughing for longer than 2 weeks? YES NO o Coughing of blood YES NO o Fevers / Chills / Temperatures YES NO o Night Sweats YES NO o Fatigue / Weakness YES NO o Loss of Appetite YES NO o Unexplained Weight Loss YES NO Final Instructions – please carefully check the listed requirements and your attachments. Ensure that all criteria are addressed and that evidence is provided where required. Ensure your name is on all attachments. (Provide copies only and keep your originals.) Sign and date the form below. Name: Signature: Date: Employee applicants - forward this form with attachments to Recruitment University Clinical Placement Applicants - forward this form and attachments to your University Clinical Placement Administration Officer. Page 2 of 2