Eleven final year paramedicine students at the La Trobe Rural Health School will embark on a pioneering placement next month with two weeks embedded within the London Ambulance Service.
Paramedicine Lecturer and Clinical Academic Coordinator, Caroline Martin, said it is the first time La Trobe Bendigo students have had access to such a placement.
She believes the time abroad will set the future paramedics apart by expanding their understanding of healthcare and broadening the range of patients they treat.
“We are very proud to be able offer this experience to our students,” Ms Martin said.
“Employers value candidates who have demonstrated the ability to work in diverse environments and understand global healthcare issues.”
Working in a different country will expose students to different cultures, healthcare systems and patient populations.
“This immersion helps them develop cultural competence, empathy and communication skills, which are vital in healthcare settings,” she said. “Operating in an unfamiliar environment also challenges students to adapt quickly, think on their feet and problem-solve effectively.”
“These experiences foster resilience and resourcefulness, qualities essential for paramedics who often face unpredictable situations.”
The London Ambulance Service serves a population of almost 9 million across the Greater London area, including the City of London and 32 boroughs comprising the UK capital.
The students will begin the two-week placement this July before returning to their studies at La Trobe’s Bendigo campus in August.
