Amy McCaffrey to train Alice Springs’ paramedics at Charles Darwin University

A Territory university is bringing a Bachelor of Paramedicine to Alice Springs for the first time. Read what the exciting new course involves.

Award-winning Charles Darwin University paramedicine lecturer Amy McCaffrey will provide a rare glimpse of life as a paramedic at the University’s Alice Springs Open Day.

Students in Alice Springs will soon have access to a paramedicine learning hub for the first time, brimming with hands-on opportunities and simulation rooms.

Paramedic and Charles Darwin University lecturer Amy McCaffrey said the Alice Springs campus’s new paramedicine course is a significant opportunity for Central Australians.

“Paramedics have an important role in the wider primary healthcare landscape, especially in Alice Springs,” she said.

“The new Bachelor of Paramedicine degree at the University’s Alice Springs campus will hopefully help retain more paramedics in the NT and encourage paramedicine graduates to return to the Territory later in their careers.”

Mrs McCaffrey said the course was in its third year at CDU’s Darwin campus, and the first intake of Alice Springs-based students would start in 2024’s first semester.

Award-winning Charles Darwin University paramedicine lecturer Amy McCaffrey will provide a rare glimpse of life as a paramedic at the University’s Alice Springs Open Day.

Mrs McCaffrey was awarded the prestigious Council of Ambulance Authorities Women in Ambulance Award in 2023 and 2021.

She will introduce the broader community to the world of paramedicine at CDU Alice Springs’ open day from 4pm-8pm Friday.

“It’s a privilege to be able to share my knowledge of the industry and support students facing the same challenges that I experienced as a graduate intern in my first year of paramedic work,” Mrs McCaffrey said.

“We certainly train for the one per cent crisis situations, but a big misconception is that paramedicine is all critical emergency work.

“A big part of the job is primary healthcare and complex medical and social situations that require empathy and patience.”

St John Ambulance NT director of ambulance services Andrew Thomas said paramedicine students would get hands on experience through St John NT. Picture: Che Chorley

St John NT director of ambulance services Andrew Thomas said the new course would be delivered in partnership with the organisation.

“St John NT provides clinical placement for undergraduate students where they are given the opportunity to work as an observer on PTO service and emergency shifts with qualified St John NT crews,” he said.

“Over the course of their degree St John NT supports the students to develop their confidence and awareness of the operational requirements of working as a paramedic as they transition from students into ambulance practice.

“Having the access to study Paramedicine on campus in Alice Springs opens a range of opportunities to local students who would otherwise have to relocate interstate to complete their degree to stay close to their family and support networks as they study and eventually go on to work in the Territory.”

The three-year degree, which qualifies graduates to work in Australia and internationally, will be placed with St John NT for 600 hours, with 120 hours completed in the second year and 480 hours in the third year.

Originally published as Amy McCaffrey to train Alice Springs’ paramedics at Charles Darwin University